59 pages • 1 hour read
Hiroshima
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Book Brief
160
Book • Nonfiction
Hiroshima, Japan • 1940s
1946
Adult
15+ years
1190L
Super Short Summary
Hiroshima by John Hersey chronicles the experiences of six individuals—a Catholic priest, a Methodist minister, two doctors, a widow and mother of three, and a young office worker—during and after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The narrative details their immediate actions, the ensuing chaos, medical struggles, and life over the following decades. The book addresses graphic injuries and illnesses caused by the bombing.
Informative
Dark
Emotional
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
87,916 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Hersey's Hiroshima is praised for its powerful, humanistic portrayal of the atomic bomb's impact on six survivors. Reviewers commend its meticulous journalism and eloquent, compassionate storytelling. Some critique the lack of broader historical context and perceived bias. Overall, the book is lauded for bringing human faces to a pivotal event in history.
Who Should Read Hiroshima?
Readers who appreciate Hiroshima by John Hersey are typically interested in historical events, human resilience, and the moral implications of war. Similar to those who enjoy Night by Elie Wiesel or The Diary of Anne Frank, they seek profound, personal narratives that explore the impacts of significant historical tragedies.
87,916 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mrs. Hatsuyo Nakamura
Mrs. Hatsuyo Nakamura
A widow and seamstress with three children, she endured the bombing with them, finding refuge in Asano Park and overcoming post-war hardships despite lingering fatigue.
Dr. Masakazu Fujii
Dr. Masakazu Fujii
A physician whose private hospital was affected by the bombing, he lived a well-to-do life post-war and is noted for chaperoning a group of A-Bomb Maidens to the United States for surgery.
Father Wilhelm Kleinsorge
Father Wilhelm Kleinsorge
A German priest who survived the bombing with minor injuries and spent his life in Japan, dedicated to helping others, including supporting survivors in the hospital.
Dr. Terufumi Sasaki
Dr. Terufumi Sasaki
A young surgeon who worked at the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital, where he played a crucial role in medical efforts after the bombing, later achieving personal success and resilience through his medical career.
Miss Toshiko Sasaki
Miss Toshiko Sasaki
A personnel worker at East Asia Tin Works who was seriously injured in the bombing, she endured significant suffering but overcame adversity, eventually finding a new path in life.
160
Book • Nonfiction
Hiroshima, Japan • 1940s
1946
Adult
15+ years
1190L
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