Book Review: Hiroshima by John Hersey

“The crux of the matter is whether total war in its present form is justifiable, even when it serves a just purpose. Does it not have material and spiritual evil as its consequences which far exceed whatever good might result? When will our moralists give us an answer to this question?”

John Hersey, Hiroshima

Review:

After reading Nagasaki by Susan Southard several months ago, both the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been on my mind. I saw this on display at the bookstore around the anniversary, and when I saw that it was first published in 1946, I couldn’t wait to read it. 

Told from the accounts of six survivors, a seamstress, two doctors, a Jesuit priest, a clerk, and a Methodist pastor, John Hersey compiles their first-hand experiences to illustrate the horrific attack that began the devastating nuclear age. Though brief, I suspect this was daring for the time. 

I thought the diversity of the victims and their individual accounts did a good job of painting as thorough a picture as was possible at the time. Given how shortly after the attack this was written, it hits particularly hard. While the depictions are difficult to read, I found them to be less graphic than what would be found in modern books/articles on the topic. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• It shares a diverse range of experiences.
• Respectful.
• Fantastic pacing.

What I didn’t like:

• I wish it could have been longer.

Afterthoughts:

I’m so glad to have come across this book!

Where to buy the book: