New Mexico State Information

The enormous effort--called the Manhattan Project--that produced the world's first atomic bomb was supposed to be the best kept secret of World War II. And the project's Los Alamos, New Mexico site, where the bomb was perfected, was supposed to have the tightest security of the project's other 37 installations across the United States. Even the vice president, Harry S. Truman, was kept in the dark initially until fate propelled him into the fray. But this was an illusion. Evidence from Soviet and American sources have proven that at least three--and as many as six--Communist spies penetrated the security system at Los Alamos and shared the secret of the atomic bomb with the Stalin regime in the Soviet Union before the end of World War II. Historian Richard Melzer now sheds new light on how security at Los Alamos broke down--not by examining this isolated site in New Mexico from the outside as many other authors have--but from within Los Alamos itself. Using interviews, memoirs, and formerly confidential files, Melzer shows that spies quite easily obtained security clearances, gained access to top secret information, and carried this information to their Soviet contacts without a hitch. What Melzer tells us about the flaws of security in the past might well help those in charge of security today as the United States grapples with these problems in the aftermath of the Chinese espionage scandal that rocked Los Alamos and the entire American intelligence community. Includes a bibliography, historic photographs, and index. BOOK NEWS reports: "A good survey of Los Alamos security and its many breaches." NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW said: "Anyone interested in the history of the atomic bombwill gain much from Melzer's fine treatment of the failure of wartime security and the loss of atomic secrets. This is a highly readable and recommended book." RICHARD MELZER is a professor of history at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus.

Watch hawks circle at a majestic river gorge, amble through a "metropolis" of rock skyscrapers, explore caverns filled with spectacular stalactites, bargain for crafts at Indian trading posts, watch tribal dancers perform at a powwow or take a pottery workshop in Georgia O'Keeffe country--"Fodor's New Mexcio, 5th Edition offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the state to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing. "The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best --"Fodor's guides are saturated with information." -New compact trim size make these guides even more portable -Two-color interior design makes it easier to find the information you need -Fodor's Choice Ratings flag must-see sights and hidden treasures -Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets -Plus multi-day itineraries to help you build the right trip for you and/or your family ----------------------------------- With Fodor's you get "much more than a guidebook-we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation. Visit www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more! And, for more insider secrets, visit "Travel Talk" and "Rants and Raves" online at www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.