The Columbia Guide to Hiroshima and the Bomb

Erscheinungsjahr 2007
ISBN: 978-0-231-13016-5
Verlag: Columbia University Press

Buch, Englisch, 456 Seiten, Format (B × H): 163 mm x 231 mm, Gewicht: 717 g

Reihe: Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures

Few aspects of American military history have been as vigorously debated as Harry Truman's decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. In this carefully crafted volume, Michael Kort describes the wartime circumstances and thinking that form the context for the decision to use these weapons, surveys the major debates related to that decision, and provides a comprehensive collection of key primary source documents that illuminate the behavior of the United States and Japan during the closing days of World War II.

Kort opens with a summary of the debate over Hiroshima as it has evolved since 1945. He then provides a historical overview of thye events in question, beginning with the decision and program to build the atomic bomb. Detailing the sequence of events leading to Japan's surrender, he revisits the decisive battles of the Pacific War and the motivations of American and Japanese leaders. Finally, Kort examines ten key issues in the discussion of Hiroshima and guides readers to relevant primary source documents, scholarly books, and articles.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kort, Michael

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Asiatische Geschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Militärwesen Ausrüstung & Waffen
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Militärgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Amerikanische Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionPart I. Historical Narrative1. The Debate Over Hiroshima2. Building the Atomic Bomb3. The Pacific War4. The Decision to Drop the Bomb5. The Japanese Government, Ketsu-Go, and Potsdam6. Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Japan's Surrender7. Hiroshima and American PowerPart II. Key Questions and InterpretationsPart III. ResourcesChronologyGlossary of Military Terms and AbbreviationsGlossary of NamesSelected BibliographyPart IV. DocumentsGuide to the DocumentsA. American Civilian DocumentsB. American Military DocumentsC. MAGIC Diplomatic SummariesD. Japanese Government Documents, Military Documents, and Diary EntriesE. Japanese Surrender DocumentsF. United States Strategic Bombing Survey: Summary Report and Interrogations of Japanese OfficialsG. Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II, Military Intelligence Section, Historical Division, U.S. ArmyNotesIndex

Über Autor(innen)

Michael Kort is a professor of social science at Boston University's College of General Studies. He is the author of several books on the Soviet Union and Cold War history including The Handbook of the Former Soviet Union; The Soviet Colossus: History and Aftermath; and The Columbia Guide to the Cold War.