I actually took interest in this some time ago. Although Leo Szilard himself admitted that he was inspired by HG Wells to think of the nuclear chain reaction, he later in his life denied to have said this.

The book "The World Set Free" is an amazing piece of literature, right from its very start, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in dystopian landscapes. The description of how he thought the atomic bombs work when they are detonated (which is different from what actually happens) is particularly creative and it makes for a very vivid mental picture. Especially when described atop one of the world's greatest cities.

Hope I made at least a few of you curious enough to give it a go.

That is very interesting he was a very interesting man, and a brilliant writer.