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Hersey follows the lives of six survivors of the Hiroshima bombing from a few hours before the attack, until (in this new edition) forty years after the catastrophe. It is a fairly easy read, and succinct. His work is tremendously thorough and precise. The stories are deeply moving, and detail every emotion of every minute of the attack. If the concept of dropping a massive nuclear bomb on civilians in warfare is of interest to you, and captivates your imagination, Hiroshima will deliver unparallelled insights to that notion, from a number of perspectives. I was most pleased that there was no agenda in the writing. Hersey does not supply subervsive bias about the atrocity in any way, and actually goes as far as to ask how the victims felt about the attack (which widely varied). Overall the book is enticing, engaging, and meaningful, and it is worth a read (it is short, and shouldn't take much time).Read full review
This the first of John Hersey’s work that I have read. Hersey’s image was on a 2008 issued postage stamp displayed in my local post office. This piqued my curiosity about the person shown in WWII-era military garb. While researching the “why” and then the “who” behind this stamp, I read that his book "Hiroshima" was considered by many to be one of the best writings of the 20th Century. When researching the book, I found there was the original and subsequent printings of the original as well as one with material that Hersey added bringing the reader up to date on what had happened during the 40+/- years after the dropping of the atomic bomb. Several eBay sellers had various printings and conditions of "Hiroshima" available at a broad range of reasonable prices. Since I do not collect first editions or signed pieces, it seemed obvious to search out the last update – 1989 printing – for my reading which is what I did. Reading the first few pages made me long for a comfortable pair of shoes, an overstuffed favorite chair and a warm mug of hot chocolate to complement this slender volume. The book quickly went from the tranquility of day to day life in 1945 Hiroshima into the shattering moments following the dropping of the first Weapon of Mass Destruction against people brought home the gripping reality of the horror of its deployment. Please understand, I do grasp the potential numbers of casualties for both sides if the war had progressed into a invasion of Japan’s mainland. And I do understand the desire to bring the war to a quick conclusion to stop the effusion of blood for all concerned. But, couldn’t there have been another way ... ANY other way? I served in the US Navy in the late 60s – yes, a VERY unpopular war that the American public seemed to take out against the young men and women – like me – who were in uniform at that time. I have no allusions about war or public sentiment. In a telling scene in the movie "Crimson Tide" (1995), Denzel Washington was Lt Commander Jim Hunter, the XO on a nuclear submarine during the heating-up of the cold war. When backed into a corner to reveal who was the enemy in war, Washington reluctantly replied that in nuclear war "the true enemy is war itself." Hersey’s slender volume speaks volumes about "the enemy" which was and still is the enemy of all people – war itself. Which is the greatest of tragedies: the people hurt or that no one seems to cares about the hurting of others? Hersey’s "Hiroshima" should be required reading in our schools.Read full review
This is one of the best books I have ever read. The fact that it was true made it all the more compelling. It tells about some of the lives of the people that survived the bomb from right before it happens up to about 40 years later. After reading it, it makes you wonder if the ones that died instantly were really the lucky ones. The survivors had so many issues with the radiation poisoning, even many years later. Some managed to get past the devastating event, & some were never the same again. So sad. It is heartbreaking.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Hiroshima is a very good account of the events surrounding the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. In the updated version, Hersey goes back 40 years later to recap what has happened to his six case-study participants. He also reviews some of the world events, such as the USSR's development of the A-bomb, etc. I bought this book for a recent US History class, 1945-present, but am glad I read it. It is a worth-while read, especially for anyone who thinks they know quite a bit about what happened at the end of WWII.
Pros: This reason i bought this book is not because i am willing, but the fact that i bought the book does not make me regret buying it. This is a history book for my History 1302 class (HCCS, TX). According to the writer it reads on the book and i quote "Everyone able to read should read it" i fully support this statement because... from the time you start to read this book you will not be willing to stop until you get to the end of if. This little "152 pages" book will move you just like you witness the incident, there is no off topic or any part that does not have anything to do with each and every scene, in fact the entire pages of the book is all about what it should be. I will also like to add that the price is just perfect for what you are able to lean from reading the book.
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