The Enola Gay: The B-29 That Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima [Paperback]

Norman Polmar (Author)

Book Description

The world entered the atomic age in August 1945, when the B-29 Superfortress nicknamed Enola Gay flew some 1,500 miles from the island of Tinian and dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The “Little Boy” bomb exploded with the force of 12.5 kilotons of TNT, nearly destroying the city. Three days later, another B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The Japanese government, which had been preparing a bloody defense against an invasion, surrendered six days later. The aircraft was the primary artifact in an exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum from 1995 to 1998. The original, controversial exhibit script was changed, and the final exhibition attracted some 4 million visitors, testifying to the enduring interest in the aircraft and its mission. This book tells the story of the Enola Gay, the Boeing B-29 program, and the combat operations of the B-29 type. After nearly two decades of restoration, the Enola Gay will be one of the highlights of the museum’s new Udvar-Hazy Center, which is scheduled to open at Dulles International Airport on December 15, 2003.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Norman Polmar is a leading expert on naval and aviation matters. An internationally known analyst, consultant, and award-winning author, Polmar has written more than 40 books, including, with K. J. Moore, Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines (Brassey’s, ISBN 1-57488-594-4) and Historic Naval Aircraft: From the Pages of Naval History Magazine (Brassey’s, ISBN 1-57488-572-3). He is a columnist for the U.S. Naval Institute's Proceedings and Naval History magazines. Polmar lives in the Washington, DC, area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (February 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574888366
• ISBN-13: 978-1574888362
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short History oOf The Manhattan Project!, July 29, 2007

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Anthony Accordino (Massapequa Park, New York United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Enola Gay: The B-29 That Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima (Paperback)

Military historian and author Norm Polmar, has written a wonderful short and concise photographic history of the manhattan project and its chief principal Gen Paul Tibbets and the crew of the most famous B-29 bomber of them all, the "Enola Gay". With the help of rare photogrpahs, Polmar gives the novice reader an educational overview of the building of the worlds first atomic bombs that were destined for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While liberals of the modern world call Paul Tibbets a war criminal, They also did not live through the war that killed over five hundred thousand Americans. It may have cost another couple of hundred thousand lives to invade mainland Japan. Paul Tibbets and his crews are nothing short of American war heroes, whose bravery and patriotism should never be forgatten. As a former military officer, I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a brief but accurate portayal of the events that lead up to the decision to bomb Japan and bring an end to WW-2. For a more in depth look at this historic event, I recommend "Day One", by Peter Wyden, and "The Return of The Enola Gay" by General Paul Tibbets.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete account of the aircraft from start to finish, May 15, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enola Gay: The B-29 That Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima (Paperback)

Plenty of titles have mentioned the Enola Gay and its pivotal role in dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Norman Polmar's The Enola Gay: The B-29 That Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima goes a step further, telling the story of the plane, the B-29 program, and its combat operations in general. A complete account of the aircraft from start to finish evolves, The Enola Gay is packed with vintage black and white photos throughout.