Oppenheimer. The Alternative

A new book by Robert Sawyer, winner of multiple awards such as the «Hugo», «Nebula», and «Aurora».

While Robert Oppenheimer and his Manhattan project team are struggling to create an atomic bomb, Edward Teller dreams of an even more devastating weapon based on nuclear fusion – the mechanism that powers the Sun.
Teller's research leads to a horrifying discovery: by 2030, the Sun will shed its outer layer, destroying Earth.

After the bombing of Japan and the end of the war, Oppenheimer's team, along with Albert Einstein and Wernher von Braun, unite – the greatest scientific geniuses of the last century begin a war against time to save our future.

Filled with thorough research and rich in real characters, the novel «Oppenheimer. The Alternative» is a breathtaking adventure in real and alternative history.


«I loved it! I know the history of this period well and, moreover, I am separated from many of the characters in the novel by just one or two handshakes. Sawyer's portrayals feel true to me. I am glad to have been one of the first readers of this book!» – Lee Smolin, author of the bestseller «The Trouble with Physics»

«A creative reworking of a phantasmagoric real biography into a phantasmagoric alternative history. Oppenheimer fans will be intrigued.» – Martin J. Sherwin, co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography «American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer»

«A truly science fiction work of alternative history, based on the decisions – and discoveries – of great physicists who wrote the history of the 20th century: Einstein, Fermi, Gödel, and Oppenheimer. Vividly embodied, deeply human characters inhabiting this novel give the author's brilliant reflections human life and blood. I read this book in one sitting and recommend you do the same. Now I intend to re-read it. Bravo!» – S.M. Stirling

«I loved it immensely! Truly great, you hardly notice how you flip the pages. Once I got hooked at the beginning, I remained so until the end. Another wonderful addition to Sawyer's renowned books!» – Andre Bormanis, producer of the series «The Orville» and «Cosmos»

«An artful and engaging weaving of historical threads with real characters from the mid-20th century to create an engaging fictional narrative.» – Jem Rolls, author of the play «The Inventor of Everything» about Leo Szilard

«Sawyer brilliantly and poignantly depicts the struggle of the scientists who initiated all of this and were therefore burdened with an unbearable weight.» – James Christie, chair of the «Ploughshares» project, participant in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

«Sawyer has outdone himself! No one could take on this project with such enthusiasm and delve into the search for truth like this extraordinary writer. I have not yet read such a complete and captivating narrative about the life and work of Oppenheimer.» – Jonas Salk

«In my opinion, the best of all Sawyer's books, with brilliant historical and science fiction parts. An extremely intelligent extrapolation that naturally arises from the research conducted by extremely intelligent people on the path to the development of the atomic era. And after you finish reading the novel, these people will remain in your memory as they really were. A worthy contender for an award!» – Amazing Stories