Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb Tag: Author of a Different Mirror

By Ronald Takaki

Book Overview

The bombing of Hiroshima was one of the pivotal events of the twentieth century, yet this controversial question remains unresolved. At the time, General Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, and chief of staff Admiral William Leahy all agreed that an atomic attack on Japanese cities was unnecessary. All of them believed that Japan had already been beaten and that the war would soon end. Was the bomb dropped to end the war more quickly? Or did it herald the start of the Cold War? In his probing new study, prizewinning historian Ronald Takaki explores these factors and more. He considers the cultural context of race - the ways in which stereotypes of the Japanese influenced public opinion and policymakers - and also probes the human dimension. Relying on top secret military reports, diaries, and personal letters, Takaki relates international policies to the individuals involved: Los Alamos director J. Robert Oppenheimer, Secretary of State James Byrnes, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, and others... but above all, Harry Truman.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316831220
• ISBN13: 9780316831222
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Arguments against this book are fallacious

I see that most of those making arguments against this book are relying on "two wrongs make a right" fallacies and other logical fallacies. One of those arguing against this book states that he would like to have dropped more nuclear devices, thus showing himself to be mentally unstable. I've yet to hear a single good argument for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. After reading the arguments against this book presented here, I've still not seen a single good argument in favor of dropping nuclear weapons on Japan or anywhere else.

Helpful to write my history paper

This book really helped me write my history paper. I was assigned to write an argumental paper about anything. I thought of writing about the atomic bomb, and I found this book. The information on the book was what I exactly wanted to know to write my paper. I argued that atomic bomb was militarily unnecessarily to end the war against Japan, but U.S. used it for other reasons, such as to threat the Soviet Union, racism toward Japanese, and personality of Truman. My term paper went successfully. Even if you are not writing a history paper, you should read it anyways becasue it really helps you learn about the decision under atomic bomb. It really worth reading and is trully interesting

The War Could Have Ended Sooner

Like other GIs I was delighted when I heard the news of the atomic bombing of Japan. Within a year or so several articles appeared that described the deaths and sufferings of the innocent Japanese civilians in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These articles caused many people to have second thoughts as to the wisdom of the decision. In the 70s I read Gar Alperovitz's book, "Atomic Diplomacy", and was convinced the bombing was a mistake. I was shocked by the Smithsonian controversy--an honest portrayal of both sides of the subject could not be shown. During the periods mentioned I was exposed to writers who discussed various aspects, pro and con, of the bombings.Although I had previously read quite a bit on the subject, I decided to read "Hiroshima" because I wanted to refresh my knowledge of the bombing, I had read a most favorable review of the author, and the book was small--I could read it in a short time.It was a good decision. The book packs a tremendous amount of pertinent information within its short length. Besides the decision itself it explores factors that might have influenced that decision. These would include: the desire for revenge of Pearl Harbor; to impress Russia and make her more manageable; the racism that existed in Truman and America and was exacerbated by the war; the masculinity factor of a new president who wished to show he was no wimp.One gets to see that there was considerable disagreement before and after the bombing as to the wisdom of the decision. The dissenters were not a bunch of revisionist historians but many prominent Americans in the military, government, science and the media. The names include Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Douglas McArthur and Admiral William Leahy-many who would be considered conservatives if they were alive today. We can not return to the past to alter that decision, We can only speculate as to what might have occurred. There is evidence that had the Japanese been offered the peace terms that were eventually given them-maintaining the emperor instead of unconditional surrender-THE WAR COULD HAVE ENDED SOONER THAN IT DID. It was unconscionable not to have at least given the Japanese the option to accept an offer of peace--on the terms we subsequently accepted--before considering using the bomb.If your knowledge of this historic event is limited and you desire to get an overall view of this tragedy read this book.

Good, clear analysis, fairly balanced, accessible to most.

I used "Hiroshima" in a high school history class and found that the students could access Takaki's ideas, sources and themes fairly easily. His summary of Truman's insecurities from boyhood throuh his term in office had an impact on the students in my class. I would recommend this book for those who have at least some degree of knowledge regarding World War II and the era. Some of Takaki's points make use of obscure evidence that may seem unapproachable to the lay reader. However, to someone versed in the topic, "Hiroshima" is a fresh look at the American motivations behind dropping the bombs.