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Chris's Reviews > Hiroshima
Hiroshima
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A haunting record of 6 survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Written in 1946 a year after the first atomic bomb was dropped. It was originally written for the New Yorker and became the entire edition. This was the first time that the American public came to understand the totality of the human toll and devastation that resulted from the use of such a weapon. It was the catalyst for the movement to ban nuclear weapons.
It is said the presenting structure of the narrative was inspired by Hersey's reading of the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and according to online resources it is the earliest example of New Journalism in which storytelling techniques of fiction are adapted to nonfiction.
It is said the presenting structure of the narrative was inspired by Hersey's reading of the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and according to online resources it is the earliest example of New Journalism in which storytelling techniques of fiction are adapted to nonfiction.
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Reading Progress
April 28, 2023
–
Started Reading
April 28, 2023
– Shelved
April 29, 2023
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Finished Reading
April 30, 2023
– Shelved as:
history
April 30, 2023
– Shelved as:
nonfiction
July 12, 2023
– Shelved as:
japan
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SoulSurvivor
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Apr 30, 2023 07:25PM
you might be interested in To Hell and Back: The Last Train from Hiroshima, in which the author interviews many of the 30 people who, surviving Hiroshima, took the train to Nagasaki just in time to be caught up in and survive the second nuclear bomb.
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SoulSurvivor wrote: "you might be interested in To Hell and Back: The Last Train from Hiroshima, in which the author interviews many of the 30 people who, surviving Hiroshima, took the train to Nagasaki just in time to..."Thanks for the tip.
I appreciate the information about the author. Nonfiction written in a storytelling style is much more readable to me. If only we could be sure nuclear weapons will never again be used. Great review, Chris :-)
Libby wrote: "I appreciate the information about the author. Nonfiction written in a storytelling style is much more readable to me. If only we could be sure nuclear weapons will never again be used. Great revie..."I agree with you about nonfiction writing. I will say at times the narration was quite devoid of the depth of emotions these people must have been feeling once the initial shock wore off. Perhaps because he had to work through a translator? Plus, he was only allowed to be in Japan for two weeks to get his story. I'm used to Erik Larson's books among some other nonfiction writers that truly read like a novel.
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the reminder!
Hershey did an excellent job with that first book written about the horrors of Hiroshima. I read it years ago and was engrossed but also sickened. Thanks for your review, Chris.
Fantastic review Chris!
This is an important book to read. Thank God nothing like this has happened since. Praying it won't happen again.Thanks for the info about Hersey's reading of the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and New Journalism.
CoachJim wrote: "This is an important book to read. Thank God nothing like this has happened since. Praying it won't happen again.Thanks for the info about Hersey's reading of the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey..."
You are welcome!
Thank you for this thoughtful review! I read Hiroshima right around the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on that city. Where I live in Northern Virginia, it is a short drive over to the Dulles Annex of the National Air & Space Museum; on display there is the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the bomb. Seeing the plane with one's own eyes gives one pause. I have visited Japan, but have not yet been to Hiroshima; someday I want to go there and see a city whose people have worked so hard for peace since 1945. Anyway, thank you once again for your review!
Paul wrote: "Thank you for this thoughtful review! I read Hiroshima right around the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the atom bomb on that city. Where I live in Northern Virginia, it is a short drive over t..."Thanks Paul. I visited Hiroshima in the late 70's, the small museum (at the time) and monument are powerful reminders of the horrors and was quite emotional for me. I also went to the Air & Space Museum you mentioned when visiting my cousin in Leesburg last year. What a great addition to the many air museums across the country. It is on my list to go the one in Hampton, VA this year. I have no excuse as I live on the southside of the Hampton Roads area!!
Sounds like a sobering read. Terrific review, Chris!
