204. Behind the Atomic Curtain: 80 Years into the Nuclear Age with Dr. Frank Close episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 14, 2025 · 1H 20M

204. Behind the Atomic Curtain: 80 Years into the Nuclear Age with Dr. Frank Close

from SPYCRAFT 101 · host Justin Black

This week Justin reconnects with Dr. Frank Close. Frank is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics and Fellow Emeritus at Exeter College at the University of Oxford. He was formerly the head of the Theoretical Physics Division at the Ruthford Appleton Laboratory Vice President of the British Science Association and Head of Communications and Public Understanding at CERN. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and won their Michael Faraday Medal for Excellence in Science Communication in 2013. He received the Order of the British Empire for services to research and the public understanding of science in 2000. You may remember Frank from episode 195, when he joined the show to unveil the life of atomic scientist Bruno Pontecorvo.Frank is back today to discuss his newest book, Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age, which is available now. It's a complete history of atomic research and its weaponization plus the spies who work to steal this research for the benefit of their own governments.Check out Frank's first appearance on episode 195: 'Nuclear Physicist or Soviet Spy? The Enigma of Bruno Pontecorvo' here.Connect with Frank:Twitter/X: @CloseFrankCheck out the book, Destroyer of Worlds, here.https://a.co/d/f8XcXDNConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.History by MailWho knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Justin reconnects with Dr. Frank Close. Frank is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics and Fellow Emeritus at Exeter College at the University of Oxford. He was formerly the head of the Theoretical Physics Division at the Ruthford Appleton Laboratory Vice President of the British Science Association and Head of Communications and Public Understanding at CERN. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and won their Michael Faraday Medal for Excellence in Science Communication in 2013. ...

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204. Behind the Atomic Curtain: 80 Years into the Nuclear Age with Dr. Frank Close

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This episode was published on July 14, 2025.

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This week Justin reconnects with Dr. Frank Close. Frank is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics and Fellow Emeritus at Exeter College at the University of Oxford. He was formerly the head of the Theoretical Physics Division at the Ruthford...

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