Psychological Writings And Letters, Vol. 59 Book

The title of Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6-September 30, 1945 makes clear the book's content. The Japanese physician, Michihiko Hachiya, is the book's author. He has written in daily diary entries what exactly he experienced and witnessed starting from August 6, 1945 at 8:15 in the morning through the fifty-five following days.

Dr. Hachiya was director of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital. This hospital was located a mere 1500 meters from the hypocenter of the bomb. Dr. Hachiya writes in the fashion of the academic, physician and director that he was. A Buddhist and devout Japanese at heart. He writes in a straightforward manner. He relates what he observed with little emotion--despite the fact that he had lost all his possessions, his house had crumbled, his wife was badly burned, and his own life hung in the balance. Beside the deaths, chaos, trauma and physical wounds that occurred at the bomb's impact, there followed the frightening symptoms of radiation sickness that were at this time not understood. Imagine being in his shoes. Think about this. This book depicts vividly what many in Hiroshima experienced. It puts you right there. You are given an eyewitness account. Despite its straightforwardness, or maybe because of its straightforwardness, the reader is shaken. There is an immediacy to the prose. Even if the book does not contain new information to those who have read of the bombing of Hiroshima before, it is well worth reading.

One is struck by how individuals are shaped by the culture and the society to which they belong. The Japanese people's devotion to and adoration of their emperor is hard for a westerner to fully comprehend. The book goes a long way in illustrating the depth of their devotion. One observes the excuses made and the explanations constructed to hold on to one's national and cultural beliefs.

The audiobook is narrated by Robertson Dean. The narration I have given four stars. It is clear, simple to follow and read at an appropriate speed.

Reading this book one gets uncomfortably close to the individuals there at the bombing of Hiroshima. This is a difficult read but definitely worth the time and effort spent. Don't miss this book.


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*Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6-September 30, 1945 by Michihiko Hachiya 4 stars
*Hiroshima by John Hersey 3 stars
*Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story by Caren Stelson 3 stars
*The Bells of Nagasaki by Takashi Nagai 2 stars
*Hiroshima Nagasaki: The Real Story of the Atomic Bombings and Their Aftermath by Paul Ham TBR
*Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War by Susan Southard TBR
*The Last Train from Hiroshima: The Survivors Look Back by Charles Pellegrino TBR