The first part of the book, describing the history of atomic theory and experimental physics, is still one of my favorite pieces of science writing ever.

Came to say, essentially, the same thing.

I will add that I also enjoyed the move Fat Man and Little Boy which was about the Manhattan project. Not an Oscar-worthy movie. But told a good story, centered around Oppenheimer.

Out of interest are you a physicist or chemist, or have a very good understanding of either of those subjects?

Asking because I found the book extremely dry and hard to get excited about (I only read the first half admittedly) due to it seeming to be aimed at people who do understand that stuff quite deeply. I'm amazed so many people can enjoy it.

For example, was I supposed to know who all those early twentieth century physicists were? It seemed like I was. Apart from Einstein and Oppenheimer I hadn't really heard of most of them.