Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6-September 30, 1945 (Rev) (Paperback)

by Michihiko Hachiya (Author) "THE HOUR was early; the morning still, warm, and beautiful..." (more)
Key Phrases: subcutaneous hemorrhages, occasional clouds, radiation sickness, Communications Bureau, Miss Kado, Miss Yama (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The late Dr. Michihiko Hachiya was director of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on the city. Though his responsibilities in the chaos of a devastated city were awesome, he found time to record his story daily. His diary was originally published by the UNC Press in 1955 with the help of Dr. Warner Wells of the University of North Carolina, who was surgical consultant to the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and became a friend of Dr. Hachiya. In the foreward, John Dower reflects on the enduring importance of the diary 50 years after the bombing.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: University of N. Carolina Press (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807845477
• ISBN-13: 978-0807845479
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #786,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How the Japanese overcome despair- educational and touching, December 11, 2000

By	Lisa Sloane (Gaithersburg, Md) - See all my reviews

This is an accurate and first-hand account of the bombing of Hiroshima as well as the Japanese attitude during World War II. Although medical in nature, I did not find this book at all overwhelming or too scientifically detailed. It was a quite easy read and allowed me to relate the Japanese citizens of this traumatic period.

More than a medical documentation, this was a dramatic tale of real people, real situations and real feelings. Surprisingly, it was not depressing and did not leave me riddled with guilt over being an American. I was impressed by the heroic acts of regular Japanese citizens and dumbfounded over their undying allegience to thier plight and country; AT the same time they did not express morosness or hatred twords the incoming American soldiers- instead they welcomed them as notable collegues and almost friends. Despite the disparity of thier people and thier country they were able to see past all feelings of disdain and recogize that the most important thing was family, love and friendship. In addition to it being a beutiful story, I also gained vast knowledge of the effects of radiation and the Atomic bomb-- a seemingly gaurded secreat amoungst American history lessons.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving account of the Hiroshima bombing, February 26, 2004

By A Customer

I read this book when I was in college, as a chemistry/chemical engineering major. As a young scientist, I was enamored of the sheer power contained with atoms, and was intrigued by atomic/nuclear weapons. My goal was to earn a PhD in nuclear engineering and to pursue a career at a National Laboratory such as Los Alamos or Sandia, where I hoped to work in the development of these sort of weapons.

This book changed my life. The personal accounts of the doctor in this book had a profound effect on me, both intellectually and emotionally. I was horrified by the effects of this technology. I changed my career plans and now pursue the development of much more helpful materials. I highly recommend reading this book.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting first-hand account from survivor., January 31, 1999

By A Customer

This book was written by a Japanese doctor who lived in Hiroshima at the time of the bombing. It was interesting reading an account from a survivor. Since it comes from a diary and not just memories, in the beginning the people were not even aware of the nature of the bomb. There is more of a technical medical nature than the average reader would prefer, but it's still worth the read. Most surprising to me was the attitude of the people once they knew what kind of bomb it was.