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This was one of the most powerful pieces of nonfiction I‘ve ever read. It focuses on five survivors of the Nagasaki bombing. It follows them for decades after the war and bombing. This book is tragic, infuriating at times, and ultimately inspiring.

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Books like this are so important, because Americans are taught only that the bombs had to be dropped to end the war and were therefore good. We don‘t learn the consequences or how many civilians were killed, injured, or left with lifelong disabilities and illnesses from the fallout. If I taught world history, I would absolutely use excerpts from this book in my class, even though it would likely anger a certain demographic of parents.

This fantastic work focuses on five survivors of the Nagasaki bombing. This is a painful read, mostly due to learning about the struggles and loss survivors endured. It‘s also painful to read about the lies and actions of the US. The author was thorough and I appreciated that she spent time on Japanese politics and events leading up to WWII and the bombings. Although heartbreaking, this was also inspiring thanks to these amazing individuals! 5/5

This is a difficult book to review (and read) due to its disturbing and horrendous subject matter. It's important, however. This is well researched and well written, with personal narratives interwoven with more traditional history.

I want to quote a passage from every few pages of this book. So incredible and important.

Military personnel were forbidden to surrender or become prisoners of war; they were ordered to kill themselves instead as an act of honor for their families and their nation and to avoid any trace of shame.

A very thorough, well researched look at life after nuclear war, both the immediate and longterm challenges and horrors. Five real people's lives are followed alongside detailed research. Not an easy read but very good.

"After years of wartime hardship and loss, countless other survivors were overpowered by *kyodatsu* - a condition of profound hopelessness, despair, and exhaustion."

I kept coming back to this word. It seems to have other applications but I can't imagine life after a nuclear bomb. Reading this as background for a book club discussion on a novel about Nagasaki.

Honestly, I'm so emotionally spent after reading this that I don't know if I can properly convey how incredible this book is. I believe it's a must read and I can guarantee you'll think carefully about who controls our nuclear weapons. 5🌟 and lots and lots of tears.

#SundayFunday Litsy-style. I did decide to do a little audiobooking and baking and now I'm hunkered in the comfiest chair, listening to the drizzling rain, and I couldn't be happier.

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Literally me at the US while reading this book. I don't know what the outcome of the war would've been without the atomic bombings but the deaths of so many civilians & the US's denial of any wrongdoing is making me want to flip over all the tables around me. ?

This is the map of the Scope of Atomic Bomb Damage in the Nagasaki bombing. This book is making me rethink everything I ever learned about the atomic bombs. It's definitely tough to read but so important. #mapsinbooks #currentread

My current read and #couldntputitdown
I've got a bit of a stomach flu so at least having this to read makes this day not quite the worst. Tough to read at times because of the subject matter, but it's so well written and, again, an area of history that was just lightly touched upon in school that needs to be more well-known to the general public.

First up: When asked how she became interested in her topic, Susan Southard replied that she was first introduced to Nagasaki on a senior class trip, but it wasn't until 1996 when she met a survivor on a speaking tour of the US that she became completely absorbed. Her fluency in Japanese allowed her to partake in a deep, intimate discussion that she felt committed to pursue. #bookmarksfestival

Ready to rock the Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem!