Discussion Question #1
Why do you think Harry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians? Could there be spies in Crawford County collecting sensitive information for another country's benefit?
Why do you think Harry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians? Could there be spies in Crawford County collecting sensitive information for another country's benefit?
Discussion Question #2
The chapter, “Quiet Fellow,” ends with the following statement: “It was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life.” What is the meaning of the word haunt as it is used in the previous sentence? Why do you think Sheinkin used this statement at this point in the book? What could he be telling his audience?
Discussion Question #3
On page 113, we learn that twenty-six Norwegian civilians were killed when Knut Haukelid and his commandos sank the ferry carrying the German heavy water. What are your thoughts and feelings about loss of innocent lives during any war?
Discussion Question #4
Why is it important that you understand the different perspectives regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction?
Blog #1 Group 14
ReplyDeleteZeph, Kaylee, Dakota, and I would like to thank you for taking time out of your day discuss the book, Bomb: The Race to Build- and Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.
Question #1
Harry Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians because he believed that he was only helping the citizens of the Soviet Union, and that he needed to pay back Tom Black. So, Gold felt helpful, and he could take pride in doing so. And, Gold needed the money to support himself and his family with the money he received from the job that Black provided him. Steve Sheinkin, the author of Bomb: The Race to Build- and Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, explicitly stated on page twenty-four, “‘ But, there is something you can do,’ Black continued. ‘There is something that would be very helpful to the Soviet Union, and something in which you can take pride.’” Sheinkin also stated on page twenty-three, “‘I was grateful to Tom Black,’ Gold later said ‘ Very much so’ ‘ that is what Black was counting on.’” This textual evidence proves that Gold believed that he could take pride in being helpful toward the Soviet Union. This also proves that Gold felt he owed Black for helping him get a job so he could support his family during The Great Depression. Times were tough, and people made choices they probably never thought they would. In our judgement, Gold provided sensitive information to the Russians because he believed that he was being helpful, but he did not realize what could happen. Harry Gold was trying to be a good friend and pay back Tom Black. Although this is what the evidence suggests, our group feels that he was trying to take care of his family but that was no excuse to do what he did so in our opinion; Gold was a traitor.
Questions #2
There is a good possibility that there are spies in Crawford County collecting sensitive information because Crawford County is small with many high-value targets such as the Flying S, Inc. which is a “secret” facility that makes drones for military use. Even on the “Projects” page of their website, their projects are listed as “restricted”. In the book, Bomb: The Race to Build- and Steal- The World's Most Dangerous Weapon, Sheinkin, explicitly stated on page twenty-three, “ He was the kind of guy who seemed to blend in with the background, who could go from one room without being noticed.” “‘ You would of never in a million years believe this guy was a spy’”. This textual evidence backs up our claim by proving that Crawford County would be the perfect place to blend in because there are people who can blend into the background just like Gold, and that is why he was a good spy. We are saying that this is the perfect place for spies because of all possible products and targets within the county. Being a small town, people do not think too much of spies, and that is why it is possible. We can infer that the people of Crawford County would never suspect someone from a small town to be a traitor such as ours.
Kaylee, Dakota, Zeph, and I can not wait for your reply.
Hello Group 14! I agree with your assessment of Harry Gold. In the beginning, he made the choice so he could work and provide for his family. He felt obligated to Black for helping him get the job, and felt as though he needed to return the favor. This is how he got sucked into the treason. I understand why he made the choice he made, but I would have choose to do something different. There is always another option and betraying your country would not be the right one.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe it is possible to have spies in Crawford County. There are multiple industries right here in the area that could be potential targets for spies. Industries, such as Hershey, would have systems in place to help to reduce the risk of contamination. Fenced grounds, background checks, ingredient tracking are all critical components of keeping our food supply safe for consumers.
Angel K
Zeph, Kaylee, Dakota, and I agree completely, and we really appreciate you taking your time to help us with blog #1. The whole group can not wait for your response on blog #2.
ReplyDeleteBlog #2 Group 14
ReplyDeleteIn the statement, “It was a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life” it could mean something that may destroy Oppenheimer’s career as the head director of the Bomb Project. In the book, Bomb: The Race To Build -And Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin explicitly states on page sixty-five, “Oppenheimer chose not to tell General Groves that he’d been approached by the Soviets. It was a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.” This textual evidence supports our claim by proving that Oppenheimer made a decision that would haunt him or destroy his credibility for the rest of his life and/or career. It is our best guess that not telling makes Oppenheimer look guilty of something and therefore not trustworthy. Because of this, it could come back and hurt him, his family, and his friends too. In our judgement, it is likely that Sheinkin is telling his readers through foreshadowing that Oppenheimer’s decision will most likely negatively affect his career and his life.
Kaylee, Zeph, Dakota, and I look forward to your next response.
The word “haunt” …definitely foreshadowing. It tells us that something else is coming. Have you ever made a decision and second guessed it? I sure have! You guys have it exactly right, Oppenheimer looked guilty for not telling Groves about being approached. He should have realized the magnitude of the project he was working on and been totally upfront about it. He was not working on making a candy bar…he was making a bomb! For such a smart guy, he missed it on this one. I believe Sheiken is keeping it real. He is showing us the importance of each and every decision made along the journey of building the bomb. The good, the bad and the ugly! If he wrote a story that nothing ever went wrong, everything was perfect, it would be boring to read. He is keeping us reading and interested to find out what happens next.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Blog 2
ReplyDeleteZeph, Dakota, Kaylee, and I agree completely what you said. Sheinkin really does a great job of keeping it real, and the way he uses his research to “keep it real” helps us understand all that happened. We appreciate your response, and we can not wait for your response to blog #3.
Blog #3 Group 14
ReplyDeleteDakota, Kaylee, Zeph, and I learned that twenty-six civilians were killed when Knut Haukelid and his commandos sank the ferry carrying the German heavy water. Our thoughts on this subject is that we understand that the decision they made was to save millions of lives, but we wish that the lives of the twenty-six civilians on that day could have been spared. But, we are confident that in their shoes and their families, they may not feels as we do. Dakota, Kaylee, Zeph, and I had to put into account of how many people we could have lost if we did not kill or even sacrifice those twenty-six civilians. In the book, Bomb: The Race to Build- And Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin explicitly stated on page 110, “Haukelid relayed the details to British intelligence in London, saying that the job would be tricky and might result in the loss of civilian lives. ‘Case considered,’ came the immediate reply from London. ‘Very urgent that heavy water be destroyed. Hope this can be done without too serious consequences. Send our best wishes for good luck in the work.’” This textual evidence supports our claim by proving that government/military officials would rather have twenty-six civilians lose their lives than millions. One can infer that government/military officials were thinking about the overall outcome rather than the outcome of that one event. Finally, the officials who made the decision to continue with the mission were thinking about the greater good of the country. What are your thoughts, and we cannot wait for your response!
Hi Team!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are aligned with yours. Unfortunately, civilians get caught up in the ugliness of war and their lives should be spared at all costs.
Here is an interesting thought…perhaps they did not die. Sheinkin describes the sinking of the ferry from the captians perspective stating “I jumped into the water and swan about 15 feet from the ship.” Sheinken even uses the word “recalls” when describing the scene through the captain’s point of view, meaning he lived to tell others about the incident.
Dakota, Kayle. Zeph and I never thought about it the way you had described it. We agree that it might possible that there were survivors. Zeph, Dakota, Kayle and I want to thank you for responding, and we are getting ready to answer blog 4.
ReplyDeleteBlog #4
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we understand the different perspectives regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction because it will help us see that there was thought put into the decision and also consequences of these decisions. By understanding these perspectives, it will help us make better decisions in the future. In the book, Bomb: The Race to Build And Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin explains the following four perspectives: scientific, military, political, and Japanese civilians.
To begin, the scientists felt pride and guilt with the use of the atomic bomb. In the book, Bomb: The Race to Build And Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin explicitly states on page 200, “Almost everyone was feeling that same strange mix of pride and horror.” This textual evidence backs up our claim by proving that some felt pride because they successfully built the bomb, but some felt horror and guilt because of the result. We can infer that the scientists felt this way because they built something amazing, but it created mass destruction. Through their love of science, innocent civilians would be killed. All in all, it show us that wonderful things can have dire consequences.
Also, the military felt a pleased and proud when it came to the use of the atomic bomb. Sheinkin explicitly stated on page 198, “ I am proud of you and all of your people.” This textual evidence backs up our claim by proving that the military was proud of the scientists because of all their work that they did to accomplish their mission. Because of their hard work, the military could in turn carry out their mission. We should understand this perspective because it shows that the military could not have been successful in protecting our country without the help of scientists. It shows us that protecting our country takes a group effort.
Next, it is important to view the political perspective. Truman felt pride and urgency in the atomic bomb. Sheinkin explicitly states on page 232, “If the Soviets get the hydrogen bomb first, American voters might blame the President who’d let it happen.” Our evidence backs up our claim by proving that political side were happy with the success for the protection of our country, but also for the security of his job. We need to understand that whoever is president has an amazing responsibility so when we vote one day, we cast our vote for the person who shares our ideas in regards to weapons of mass destruction.
ReplyDeleteFinally, the Japanese civilians felt shock and horror when the atomic bomb was dropped. In the book, Bomb: The Race to Build- And Steal- The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, the author, Steve Sheinkin, explicitly states on page 196, “They moved as though in pain, like scarecrows, their arms held out in front of their bodies with forearms and hands dangling,” “these people puzzled me until I suddenly realized that they had been burned and were holding their arms out to prevent the painful friction of the raw surfaces rubbing together …. And one thing was common to everyone I saw - complete silence.” The textual evidence shows us the true reality of devastation caused by the atomic bomb. One can infer that the devastation that these civilians suffered, and with the city left in ruins, lasted years and possibly decades. All in all, we now realize what a weapon of mass destruction can do to people.
In the end, Sheinkin wants us to understand the different perspectives regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction. If we understand how to look at all sides of an issue, we can make an educated decision. We know that we will be making decisions for the rest of our lives, and it is imperative that we look at different perspectives before making a choice.
Dakota, Zeph, Kaylee, and I want to thank you for reading and helping with our blog #4 and we can’t wait to hear your response.
Very well said! Taking different perspectives is what helps us make the best decisions. The reactions from the different players is interesting...the scientists, Truman, etc. Silence is portrayed in all of the perspectives, but most of all the Japanese citizens. Much different outcome here as with the scene at the ferry. Only a few died compared to an impact that still continues today as we study history.
ReplyDeleteWell done team! I enjoyed learning more with you!!!
Blog #5
ReplyDeleteOn page 236, Steve Sheinkin writes, “In the end, this is a difficult story to sum up. The making of the atomic bomb is one of history’s most amazing examples of teamwork and genius and poise under pressure. but it also the story of how humans created a weapon capable of wiping out species off the planet. It's a story with no end in sight. And, like it or not your in it .” This statement means that weapons of mass destruction are a part of our history and our lives. In the book, Bomb:The Race To Build -And Steal- The World's Most Dangerous Weapon, Steve Sheinkin explicitly states on page 235, “All the while the arms race expanded.” Sheikin also stated on page 235, “Other countries decided they needed the bomb as well.” This textual evidence supports our claim by describing that the arms race continued, and that other countries joined the race. One can infer that weapons of mass destruction will always play a part in our world and lives. Common sense tells us that since these weapons will be in our lives forever, we need to be prepared and proactive in our lives.
Dakota, Kaylee, Zeph, and I want to thank you for helping us and sticking with us through the blog.
Forgive me for the delayed response...yes, unfortunately we live in a fallen world filled with destruction and hate. One of the most proactive things we can do as citizens is to educate ourselves; not only in school, but also in who our future leaders will be that make these tough decisions. We should be educated voters and place our trust in elected officials to guide our nation forward in peace. Sheinkin has sent a clear picture of leaders making these decisions with innocent lives taken into account. I, for one, am glad I do not have these decisions to make in my everyday job.
ReplyDelete