Top 5 books on Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb disaster

Key takeaways:

Top 5 books that cover Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic attacks:

1. Children of the Atomic Bomb: An American Physician’s Memoir of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the Marshall Islands by James N. Yamazaki
2. A Place Called Hiroshima by Betty Jean Lifton
3. Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed it to the World by Lesley M. M. Blume
4. The Bells of Nagasaki by Takashi Nagai
5. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

August 6 marks ‘Hiroshima Day’, and 2021 marks 76 years to the disturbing history of how reckless humans can be. On this day, the United States dropped, without realizing the consequences, the very first deployed nuclear bomb in the city of Hiroshima. This alone wiped out about 39% of the population which was mostly civilians. 3 days later, we had the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

If you’ve watched the Chernobyl documentary or have an interest in knowing how stupid humanity is, then exploring one of the most catastrophic parts of Japanese history could be of your interest.

Here’s a list of some books you can pick up that explores the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in detail across a variety of spectrums. Do share your reviews and thoughts with our community at merrative.com!

Children of the Atomic Bomb: An American Physician’s Memoir of Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the Marshall Islands by James N. Yamazaki

Mrs. Kondo’s daughter cannot function as a normal mother in her state of limited mental capability. So she relates to her children much as a sister, and others bear the responsibility of parenthood.

This report will help you get a perspective in terms of medical abnormalities and exposure effects in genetics due to fetal exposure for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The author also examines the Marshall Islanders who, during the 1965 U.S. thermonuclear test at Bikini had an accidental exposure to radioactive matter.

"I praise Dr. Yamazaki for drawing international attention to the plight of children who are suffering as a direct result of atomic weapons. The nuclear weapons testing program in the Marshall Islands dramatically affected the health of the people, the environment, the economy, and the culture. I thank Dr. Yamazaki for helping to tell a story that most of the world has turned its back on for too long."

 — Wilfred I. Kendall, Ambassador to the United States of America, Republic of the Marshall Islands

A Place Called Hiroshima by Betty Jean Lifton

This is a photo book where the author has recorded what she witnessed in the aftermath of the atomic bomb during the late 60s.15 years later, they returned to see what happened to Hiroshima post this gap during the nuclear arms race era that our planet was playing. The book artistically explores the constant questions about our future with photography of emotional depth.

After 7 decades of independence, the author reflects if we have fulfilled the aspirations of our freedom fighters, Constitution makers, and most importantly, its people. It focuses on public policies, institutions, economics, etc by gathering rare and candid insights from some of the most distinguished experts, practitioners, and scholars in India.

"This a memorable, finely crafted, emotionally intense photographic essay that transports readers to the midst of all that Hiroshima has been, is, and perhaps, will be. Current and historical photographs of exceptional quality and emotional depth support artfully."

— Atomic Archive.

Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed it to the World by Lesley M. M. Blume

Most of the reporting up to that time had to do with the power of the bomb and how much damage it had done in the city. Months had now passed since the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, and still very little had been published on how the atomic bomb had affected its human victims.

This book showcases the power of journalism to highlight the truth. It gives an insight into how far a government can go to weave stories in order to justify its actions and hide the real truth. You will come to know how much effort it takes to bring a story to fruition in front of the world.

"Journalism at its finest … Blume’s tight, fast-moving book, pegged to the 75th anniversary of the bombing, tells Hersey’s story as he raced to gather sources, wrote in absolute secrecy, and then published a deeply empathetic, almost unbelievably distressing article."

— Bloomberg

The Bells of Nagasaki by Takashi Nagai

In a flash, I had a change of heart. Even one precious life was worth saving. Japan was defeated, but the wounded were still alive.

In an emotional account, the author wrote about what he saw and heard from his peers about the bombing as he continues to suffer from leukemia. He speaks about his acceptance of his present state due to an atomic bomb, remembering how he picked up a leaflet dropped by American planes warning the Japanese to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration and how he and his companions shed tears over the defeat of their country.

"The book pleadingly calls for humanity to continue to abstain from nuclear warfare, and so poignantly and effectively carries the voice of a devout man longing to see a world at peace."

— Goodreads review

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, Ronald Himler (Illustrator)

The doves looked like spirits of the dead flying into the freedom of the sky.

A lively Sadako starts experiencing dizziness as she falls ill with leukemia — the ‘atomic bomb disease’. She wishes to become healthy again by believing in the legend of folding one thousand paper cranes. This is based on a true story.

"The story speaks directly to young readers of the tragedy of Sadako’s death and, in its simplicity, makes a universal statement for ‘peace in the world."

— The Horn Book

Hope you enjoyed this list! If you have more recommendations or have read any of these books, do share your takeaways and review them with the community at — merrative.com!