I agree -- this is a terrific book, very rewarding read. A subsequent work on the same general topic, Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb, is also an excellent book:
Both of Richard Rhodes' books were (but are no longer) on the STRATCOM reading list (http://militaryprofessionalreadinglists.com/authors/richard-...). It's been a while since I read them, but although it was heavy going at times there were plenty of good bits.