The Hiroshima Men

I can think of no more important book for our time. Written with moral clarity, tremendous verve, and the ability of a truly great historian to render the immensity of a moment through the smaller voices as well as being faithful to the facts. I recommend this magisterial, haunting book to all generations – Fergal Keane, award-winning BBC foreign correspondent and author of Road of Bones: The Siege of Kohima 1944 Iain Macgregor’s compelling account impresses in many ways. Unheralded individuals take centre stage. Vividly drawn characters spring to life. But it is his expertly managed juxtaposition of science, strategy and visceral horror that stands out – Joshua Levine, New York Times bestselling author of Dunkirk The nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was one of the most iconic moments of the twentieth century. Yet little has been written about the individuals whose actions led to Japan’s unconditional surrender. Iain MacGregor’s The Hiroshima Men is epic in scale yet intimate in detail, its pages filled with mavericks and geniuses who forever changed our world. A meticulously researched and compellingly written tour-de-force – Giles Milton, author of The Stalin Affair The Hiroshima Men is a brilliant, superbly researched story of genius and terrifying destruction – Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of Against All Odds: a True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival In World War II The atomic bombing that obliterated Hiroshima has not lacked for attention from historians and other writers. But Iain MaGregor’s gripping book vastly expands the cast of characters: politicians and scientists in Japan and the United States; military men on both sides, from generals to pilots and air crews; victims on the ground both dead and alive; writers and journalists covering the story - all portrayed vividly as the story dramatically unfolds – William Taubman Once again, MacGregor weaves together a wide range of sources to create a gripping, moving and frequently surprising narrative, this time of how World War II ended in human-created apocalypse, and a new era began with a mix of hope and horror that still characterizes our lives eight decades later – Frederick Taylor, author of Dresden: Tuesday 13 February, 1945 A meticulously researched and profoundly thought-provoking account of one of history’s most consequential events … More than just a work of history, this is also a sobering meditation on war, science and morality. Superb – James Holland

Iain MacGregor is the author of the acclaimed history of Cold War Berlin: Checkpoint Charlie, and the award-winning The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth Behind WWII’s Greatest Battle. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, has spoken at many literary festivals and conferences in the UK and abroad, and appeared on podcasts and on television documentaries. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the Spectator, BBC History Magazine, and the Guardian. He lives in London.