Hiroshima: The Story of the First Atom Bomb - Hardcover

Lawton, Clive A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763622710 ISBN 13: 9780763622718

Publisher: Candlewick, 2004

Synopsis

Drawing on primary sources and startling photographs, a renowned authority investigates the events that led up to the disaster at Hiroshima in 1945 — and discusses the consequences we are still living with today.

"My God, what have we done?" — Copilot of the Enola Gay, after dropping the first atomic bomb

On August 6, 1945, the United States of America dropped the world's first atomic bomb, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, a decision that ushered in the nuclear age and marked the end of World War II. When the atomic bomb exploded at 8:15 a.m., 70,000 people were killed instantly. Thousands more were dead of radiation sickness within weeks. More still were sick, scarred, and deformed for the rest of their lives by the chemicals in the bomb. Three days later, another bomb killed 40,000 people in Nagasaki. In this extraordinary resource for young readers, Clive A. Lawton clearly and objectively explores the politics and the science behind the military decision that would set in motion the nuclear arms race.

Back matter includes an index.

About this title

About the Author

Clive A. Lawton is a former high school principal in Liverpool, England. He has written and broadcast extensively on moral and religious issues, especially as they affect education. Currently a member of the U.K. Home Office Advisory Panel on Race Equality, Clive A. Lawton is the author of the award-winning Auschwitz: the Story of a Nazi Death Camp.

Reviews

Grade 5-8–A large, profusely illustrated account of the development and use of the atomic bomb. Lawton presents the basics of the nuclear theory behind it; the Manhattan Project; the progress of World War II and V-E Day; Truman's decision to use the bomb; the mission of the Enola Gay and the results of the Hiroshima explosion; and the subsequent use of the bomb on Nagasaki. The book also looks at the aftermath, including the surrender of Japan, the survivors, the rebirth of Hiroshima, and the continuing influence of nuclear weapons on the world. The text is clearly written though superficial in places, especially the passage on the complexities of the decision to use this weapon. Brief biographical entries on the primary characters and a chronology enhance the text, while outstanding black-and-white and full-color photos and drawings convey as much of the story as the text. Similar to Jason Hook's Hiroshima (Raintree, 2003), this is a well-organized title on a topic of perennial interest.–Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
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Gr. 6-12. With the same clear photo-essay format as Lawton's Auschwitz (2002), this large-size volume introduces another World War II horror, weaving together history and politics with information about the atomic bomb and its consequences, which continue into the present. Historical photographs with captions that state the facts and raise crucial issues break up short text on each double-page spread. Throughout, readers will find important quotations from statesmen and scientists, including one from Einstein expressing his deep regret about his role in developing nuclear weapons. "Was it the right decision?" is always the question, and Lawton is fair to all sides, considering both Japanese wartime atrocities and the slaughter of civilians killed by the bomb. There's much to spark classroom discussion, including the ongoing argument for nuclear disarmament and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Back matter includes a useful, detailed discussion of the science, as well as a chronology, a glossary, and a who's who; source notes and a bibliography would have been helpful. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0763622710
• ISBN 13: 9780763622718
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48