Hiroshima: A Timeless Testament to the Horrors of War

On August 6, 1945, the world changed forever when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion instantly killed or injured hundreds of thousands of people and left a legacy of suffering and heartbreak that continues to this day.

In the aftermath of the bombing, journalist John Hersey was sent to Hiroshima to witness the devastation firsthand. His account of what he saw and heard was published in the August 31, 1946, issue of The New Yorker and later expanded into the book "Hiroshima."

Hiroshima

by John Hersey

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1338 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	161 pages

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"Hiroshima" is a powerful and moving work of non-fiction that tells the stories of six survivors of the bombing. Hersey's spare, understated prose captures the horror and the heartbreak of their experiences. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a warning about the devastating consequences of nuclear war.

The Survivors

The six survivors whose stories are told in "Hiroshima" are:

• Dr. Masakazu Fujii, a physician who was working at a hospital near the epicenter of the blast
• Miss Toshiko Sasaki, a young office worker who was severely burned
• Father Wilhelm Kleinsorge, a German priest who was visiting Hiroshima
• Mr. Hatsuyo Nakamura, a carpenter whose wife and children were killed in the blast
• Mrs. Setsuko Thurlow, a pregnant woman who was badly injured
• Reverend Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister whose church was destroyed

Hersey follows these six individuals in the days and weeks after the bombing as they struggle to come to terms with their experiences. He describes their physical injuries, their emotional trauma, and their efforts to rebuild their lives.

The Impact of "Hiroshima"

"Hiroshima" was an instant bestseller and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has been praised by critics and readers alike for its powerful storytelling and its unflinching honesty.

The book has had a profound impact on the world. It helped to raise awareness of the horrors of nuclear war and played a role in the movement to ban nuclear weapons.

In 1947, "Hiroshima" won the Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction. Hersey donated the prize money to Hiroshima University to help rebuild the city's medical facilities.

A Timeless Masterpiece

"Hiroshima" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to be read and studied today. It is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

If you have never read "Hiroshima," I urge you to pick up a copy today. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Quotes from "Hiroshima"

Here are a few quotes from "Hiroshima":

"The fact that the atomic bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima was not a secret. The Japanese government had announced it two days before. But the people of Hiroshima did not believe it. They could not believe that any nation, even the Americans who had been bombing them for months, would use such a weapon against them."

"The flash came first, and then a sound like tearing silk, and then everyone was running."

"The skin of the survivors hung from their bodies like rags. Their faces were burned beyond recognition. They were vomiting and their bowels were loose. They were dying from burns, from radiation sickness, from internal injuries, from infections."

"The people of Hiroshima are still suffering from the effects of the atomic bomb. They are suffering from cancer, from leukemia, from birth defects. They are suffering from the psychological effects of the bomb, from the nightmares, from the flashbacks, from the guilt."

Further Reading

If you are interested in learning more about "Hiroshima," I recommend the following resources:

• Hiroshima Remembered
• The Atomic Archive
• John Hersey's "Hiroshima" (The New Yorker)

Hiroshima

by John Hersey

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1338 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	161 pages

FREE