Scan barcode
A review by reinventing_mrs
Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World by Chris Wallace
5.0
Thought-provoking
Written like a novel, “Countdown 1945” provides readers with a type of back-stage access to the development and subsequent use of the atomic bomb and, more importantly, in-depth insight into the thoughts and feelings of those connected with the project. Wallace writes mostly from the American perspective, sprinkled with Japanese correspondence and survivor stories. He uses first-hand accounts based on interviews and diary entries. Chronicled with neither condemnation nor overt celebration, the result is a very human representation of the events leading to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the effects on those directly involved. The question as to the morality of said events is not directly addressed, as it is not the purpose of this book. The question, however, is addressed separately by each of the book’s players and, ultimately, left to the reader to ponder. Overall, I found “Countdown 1945” riveting, as if I had no clue regarding the outcome, and thought-provoking in a way I had not expected. Well done, Mr. Wallace.
Written like a novel, “Countdown 1945” provides readers with a type of back-stage access to the development and subsequent use of the atomic bomb and, more importantly, in-depth insight into the thoughts and feelings of those connected with the project. Wallace writes mostly from the American perspective, sprinkled with Japanese correspondence and survivor stories. He uses first-hand accounts based on interviews and diary entries. Chronicled with neither condemnation nor overt celebration, the result is a very human representation of the events leading to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the effects on those directly involved. The question as to the morality of said events is not directly addressed, as it is not the purpose of this book. The question, however, is addressed separately by each of the book’s players and, ultimately, left to the reader to ponder. Overall, I found “Countdown 1945” riveting, as if I had no clue regarding the outcome, and thought-provoking in a way I had not expected. Well done, Mr. Wallace.