Overview

The decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been considered the most important – and perhaps most controversial - event in twentieth-century history. It ushered in many of the major developments of our time: the end of World War II, the beginning of the atomic age, the establishment of the American world order, and the start of the Cold War arms race. Kenneth B. Pyle illuminates both the complexities of the event itself and the debates among historians that continue today, as they wrestle with the moral issues of the decision, its necessity and its alternatives. While producing no final resolution to the controversy, historians have nevertheless advanced and deepened our understanding of this event. This accessible and thought-provoking analysis is a case study in the intricate nature of the historian's craft and a reminder of the value of historians in a free society.

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9781009477451

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Reviews

'An accessible and insightful study of America's 1945 decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the controversies related to it, but also an illuminating exploration of the nature of historical study and the continuing importance of the historical method in the face of contemporary challenges.' Janet Hunter, London School of Economics 'Using as case studies the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pyle reminds us that historiography is a narrative woven within social, political, and cultural frameworks, if not constraints. Based upon thorough research, earnest teaching experiences, and acknowledgement of a view of history as an “ideological product,” Pyle's book examines and carries moral gravity of historians in making interpretations, in particular, of contested historical events.' Yuki Miyamoto, DePaul University 'As he deftly navigates the evolving controversies surrounding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pyle poignantly reminds us how integral historians are to any free society. Pitched to a general audience, this impeccably researched, engrossing study is an intellectual gold mine for scholars as well. A pleasure to read!' Patricia Maclachlan, University of Texas, Austin

Author Information

Kenneth B. Pyle is a historian of modern Japan, creator of the Journal of Japanese Studies, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Washington.

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