This comprehensive history explores US nuclear secrecy from its origins in the late 1930s to the post–Cold War era. The American atomic bomb emerged in an environment of intense secrecy, driven by the need to control nuclear information and the scientific advancements that enabled such formidable weapons. This unprecedented level of secrecy was at odds with American values of openness and democracy, raising questions about its compatibility with scientific progress. From the outset, the secrecy surrounding the atomic bomb sparked controversy and debate. It represented not just a military application of science but also the culmination of decades of investment in scientific education and international collaboration. The narrative examines how the imposition of secrecy affected the survival and integrity of scientific inquiry. Utilizing a wealth of declassified documents, including previously unreleased records, the work traces the evolution of the US nuclear secrecy regime from the initial concept of the atomic bomb through the Cold War tensions and into the early twenty-first century. This engaging account intertwines powerful ideas with the ongoing conflict between idealism and the darker aspects of power, creating a rich and expansive historical narrative.
