Hiroshima Diary cover art

Hiroshima Diary

The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6-September 30, 1945

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About this listen

The late Dr. Michihiko Hachiya was director of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on the city. Though his responsibilities in the appalling chaos of a devastated city were awesome, he found time to record the story daily, with compassion and tenderness. Dr. Hachiya's compelling diary was originally published by the UNC Press in 1955, with the help of Dr. Warner Wells of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was a surgical consultant to the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and who became a friend of Dr. Hachiya. In a new foreword, John Dower reflects on the enduring importance of the diary 50 years after the bombing.

©1983, 1995 The University of North Carolina Press. Foreword by John W. Dower by the University of North Carolina Press. (P)2014 Tantor Asia Diaries & Journals Historical Japan Medical Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Military Professionals & Academics Weapons & Warfare War Imperial Japan

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary literary event." ( The New York Times)
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it's not a nice book. it's an awful creation but the book was written by someone that plays down the worst of the event and focuses on details. If there are other diaries from Hiroshima or Nagasaki I will look forward to listening.

Must listen book author was a hero

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Amazing work recounting iconic event in world history. Every school every person on the planet should know about this event and read this book.

Incredible

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I came across this book by accident but it will stay with me for a very long time. The sheer honesty and humanity of this doctor’s diary, written during a time of unprecedented human distress, is one of the most profoundly moving things I’ve ever heard read

Stunningly moving account of a Hiroshima survivor

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This was absolutely fantastic, despite the fact that it is a diary of only a few days. I loved the insight that ordinary Japanese people had into the A-bomb and the aftermath. This is such a seeringly honest account of those dreadful days after the A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This should have been depressing and upsetting but it managed to be honest unbiased and informative. Really enjoyed this.

Absolutely amazing!

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This is a factual, eye opening and at times horrifying commentary on the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima. But what is most striking g is the community in times of enormous strife and his willingness to see the goodness in people despite everything he sees. I’d recommend this to anyone.

Searingly honest and somehow not depressing

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