[quote] Memorable Book Openings (#5): The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes …

‘In London, where Southampton Row passes Russell Square, across from the British Museum in Bloomsbury, Leo Szilard waited irritably one gray Depression morning for the stoplight to change. A trace of rain had fallen during the night; Tuesday, September 12, 1933, dawned cool, humid and dull. Drizzling rain would begin in early afternoon. When Szilard told the story later he never mentioned his destination that morning. He may have had none; he often walked to think. In any case another destination intervened. The stoplight changed to green. Szilard stepped off the curb. As he crossed the street time cracked open before him and he saw a way to the future, death into the world and all our woe, the shape of things to come.’

Memorable Book Openings (#5): The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes

This entry was posted on Monday, September 29th, 2003 at 8:21 am and is filed under Books, Memorable Book Openings.

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