IB History Book Review: Hiroshima by John Hersey.
1) This story relates to America dropping the A-bomb in Hiroshima in 1945. It tells the story, of six different inhabitants of Hiroshima, 2 doctors, 2 women, and 2 religious men. It tells the story from each of their points of view, from the daily lives of each character, and how this relates to the story, to the moment the bomb drops until months later, and then even 40 years later. The story is very detailed, graphic and impacting, in the way the events are told, it begins with a brief description of each character and the connection their lives have to the war, to the second the bomb hits and all there is is an incredible flash, and then the ongoing destruction and confusion all around. After that it explains from the different points of view of the 6 people the immediate occurrences, all the different ways the bomb has created destruction and caused death, all of the wounded, how each of the 6 act immediately after, many frantically searching for their family others helping the wounded, and the incredible emotional distress that surrounds all of this. Then how the people try to survive every ongoing day after the bomb, how many continue to die due to the various types of injuries they have suffered, Hersey even describes to the very detail what has happened to them. It follows the 6 characters emotional and physical distress, their shock and disbelief, as well as all the other people, how help is scarce and every day is torture. The story then jumps a few months forward where radiation diseases are still affecting the people as well as injuries that remain unhealed, how the people continue fighting for survival and well-being. The end of the story shows how the lives of the 6 characters 40 years later are. How this tragedy continues to be a massive part of their lives, affecting them in daily life, both positively and negatively, and even so, how their attitude remains positive.
