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The Devil Reached Toward the Sky

The Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb - By The People Who Were There

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The Devil Reached Toward the Sky

By: Garrett M. Graff
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Garrett M. Graff
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About this listen
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER


THE 'MASTERPIECE' COMPLETE ORAL HISTORY OF THE ATOMIC BOMB - BY A PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST

'Magisterial...A stunning account that brings to the fore the nuclear saga's surreal combination of ingenuity, fate, and terror.' -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'If you are an intelligent person, or at the very least think you are, you have to read The Devil Reached Toward the Sky...This period in history has never been more relevant and frightening than it is today.' -James Patterson

'Comprehensive and engrossing...Excellent oral history.' -Kirkus Reviews

From the New York Times bestselling author of When the Sea Came Alive and The Only Plane in the Sky, a sweeping and comprehensive oral history of the atomic bomb's creation and deployment, marking the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

April 12, 1945. Less than three months into his vice presidency, Harry Truman is catapulted into the Oval Office following the sudden death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. As he recites the oath, he learns a chilling secret known only to a select few: the United States is on the verge of deploying a weapon of unimaginable power. This weapon could end the war but also herald a new age of global fear and uncertainty.

Drawing from over twenty-five oral history archives across the US, Japan, and Europe, Graff has masterfully blended the memories and perspectives from key figures like Harry Truman and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the crews of the B-29 bombers, Enola Gay and Bock's Car, the rescuers who bravely faced the destruction, and the haunting stories of those at ground zero in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, including the experiences of the hibakusha - the 'bomb-affected people'.

Enriched by memoirs, diaries, letters, official documents, and news reports, this is an immersive and deeply human account of the Manhattan Project through the end of World War II and the dawning of the Cold War, offering a vivid, multi-dimensional view of events that reshaped the world forever.

*New York Times #7 on the Hardcover Non-Fiction Chart, week of August 25th, 2025.©2025 Garrett M. Graff (P)2025 Orion Publishing Group Limited Asia Japan Military Weapons & Warfare War Aviation New York Franklin D Roosevelt Air Force Cold War

Editorial Review

A timely oral history
Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett M. Graff’s intricate, human, and deeply researched oral histories have focused on two defining global moments—9/11 and D-Day—and felt like gifts. Now, Graff returns with a terrifyingly relevant oral history of the making of the atomic bomb. Timed to the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Devil Reached Toward the Sky weaves together accounts from scientists, soldiers, and civilians alike to create a comprehensive picture of this remarkable and devastating technology that changed history. Anchored by the inimitable Edoardo Ballerini, this vivid full-cast production will both illuminate and haunt you—a true must-listen.—Katie O., Audible Editor

All stars
Most relevant
This book is the literary version of collage, the author has assembled quotes with connecting text to tell the story of how the atomic was made and used. It is an excellent book and informative.

Audible books with multiple narrators are ideally very well done and this is no exception.

Collage

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