The Columbia Guide To Hiroshima And The Bomb

Few aspects of American military history have been as vigorously debated asHarry Trumans decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. In this carefullycrafted vo... » 

Few aspects of American military history have been as vigorously debated asHarry Trumans decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. In this carefullycrafted volume Michael Kort describes the wartime circumstances and thinkingthat form the context for the decision to use these weapons surveys the majordebates related to that decision and provides a comprehensive collection ofkey primary source documents that illuminate the behavior of the United Statesand Japan during the closing days of World War II.Kort opens with a summary of the debate over Hiroshima as it has evolved since1945. He then provides an historical overview of the events in questionbeginning with the decision and program to build the atomic bomb. Detailing thesequence of events leading to Japans surrender he revisits the decisivebattles of the Pacific War and the motivations of American and Japaneseleaders. Finally Kort examines ten key issues in the discussion of Hiroshimaand guides readers to relevant primary source documents scholarly books andarticles.These primary source documents comprise the largest part of this volume. Theyare organized into seven categories American civilian documents Americanmilitary documents MAGIC diplomatic summaries Japanese government andmilitary documents and diary entries Japanese surrender documents the UnitedStates Strategic Bombing Survey Summary Report and Interrogations of JapaneseOfficials and Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II compiled by theMilitary Intelligence Section of the United States Army.Korts clear insightful narrative examines conflicting points of view onnumerous issues but remains impartial throughout. Above all by providing abroad range of documents including translations of Japanese languagematerials Kort makes it possible for readers to render informed andindependent judgments in the ongoing debate. «