Jennet Conant
Jennet Conant is a renowned American author best known for her writings on World War II and the Manhattan Project. Her works offer an in-depth view into significant events and personalities from the era that shaped modern history, providing readers with the knowledge and inspiration to engage with their own history.
Conant’s knowledge about World War II and the top-secret development of the atomic bomb began in her childhood.Born in Beverly, Massachusetts in 1940, Conant grew up with a deep connection to World War II and its associated history. Her father, James Bryant Conant, was the scientist who was recruited by the government to satisfy their urgent need for an atomic bomb. He served as the moral compass for the Manhattan Project, an experimental project attempting to create an atomic weapon. In order to retain control of the project and protect the scientists involved, he implemented the security protocols that allowed the Manhattan Project to be successful.
Conant was inspired by her father’s work, which ultimately led her to pursue a degree at Radcliffe College in history. Following her undergraduate studies, she continued her education and obtained a master's degree in history at Harvard University. According to a 2009 article written in The Harvard Crimson, Conant was still striving to “understand a past that is both brilliant and tragic” during her time at Harvard. This desire to understand her familial history combined with her studies in history set the groundwork for her prolific career rooted in writing about World War II and the frightening questions that lingered within.
Conant’s first book, The Gentleman from Massachusetts: Henry Cabot Lodge and the American Century, marked her debut into the historical-fiction realm. This book focuses on Henry Cabot Lodge, prominently-known politician from the time. She worked on the book for six years and won accolades from both the book world and the academic community.
Her work as an author was further solidified through her publication of several books on World War II, with the most notable being The Alsos Mission: The Untold Story of the U.S. Navy's Secret Team and Atomic Bomb Spies (1984), The Killing of the Rising Sun (1993), Tuxedo Park: A Wall Street Tycoon and the Secret Palace of Science That Changed the Course of World War II (2002), and 134 Days: The Battle of the Bulge: God, Hitler, and the Boys of the 77th (2005). Each of these books provide readers with a window into the events and individuals involved in the war's aftermath while also examining how they were intertwined with global political and technological transformations during the years following World War II.
In addition, Conant has written several books that investigate issues that have continued to persist in the modern era. In her book The Words of Gandhi (2014), she explores the impact of Gandhi's work, discussing both his nonviolent practices and broader teachings of enlightenment. Her other works such as Man of the Hour: James B. Conant, Warrior Scientist (2009) foster a sense of understanding and admiration for prominent figures in history who have dedicated themselves to progress.
The development of atomic power—one of the most powerful forces in history and the focus of her father's work—has remained an important part of Conant's writing and research over her career. Her books The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington (2008) and 109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret City of Los Alamos (2005) delve into the complexities of nuclear energy, detailing the Manhattan Project and its development.
In 2020, Conant released her most recent book, Savage Sun: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of American Empire, which focuses on the global militarism of President Roosevelt's time. Through her books, Conant seeks to tell unique, emotionally-gripping stories in an effort to amplify and ensure history will not be forgotten. Ultimately, her focus on imparting knowledge to readers is what has helped her become a renowned and influential author today.
