logo

48 pages 1 hour read

Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Chris Wallace, Mitch Weiss

Countdown 1945

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

World • 1940s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss chronicles the 116 days between Harry Truman becoming president and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The narrative shifts locations with increasing intensity, focusing on Truman, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Colonel Tibbets of the strike plane Enola Gay. They grapple with the mission's technical and ethical challenges leading up to the attacks. The narrative addresses the use of atomic bombs and the resultant devastation.

Informative

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.5

17,756 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss is widely praised for its compelling narrative and meticulous research on the final months of World War II. Readers appreciate its engaging, fast-paced storytelling and historical insights. Some critics, however, feel it lacks depth in character development. Overall, it's an informative and gripping read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Countdown 1945?

Readers who enjoy Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss are likely fans of meticulously researched historical narratives and dramatic retellings of pivotal moments. Similar to Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, this book appeals to those fascinated by World War II and groundbreaking events that shaped modern history.

4.5

17,756 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

World • 1940s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.