Hiroshima Diary

The Journal of a Japanese Physician, August 6-September 30, 1945

By: Michihiko Hachiya MD

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

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 appalling chaos of a devastated city were awesome, he found time to record the story daily, with compassion and tenderness. Dr. Hachiya's compelling diary was originally published by the UNC Press in 1955, with the help of Dr. Warner Wells of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was a surgical consultant to the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and who became a friend of Dr. Hachiya. In a new foreword, John Dower reflects on the enduring importance of the diary 50 years after the bombing.

©1983, 1995 The University of North Carolina Press. Foreword by John W. Dower by the University of North Carolina Press. (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary literary event." ( The New York Times)

So very good!

I'm very thankful for the opportunity to hear such a honest writing. May we all have compassion for one another!

10/10

An incredible first hand account of the bomb and the immediate aftermath but the most interesting part is him and his colleagues discovering more insidious effects of the bomb. One of the most important primary source documents of the last 100 years.

Riveting.

A fantastic recounting of one of the most controversial war decisions in history. Great reading as well.

Loong Intro but Fascinating

The intro was just too long. a gigantic spoiler really. I skipped to Chapter 3. I thought it was so fascinating to hear this educated man and his educated friends wonder what had just happened. The story is heartbreaking to hear so much loss of life. I'm really glad the Americans were kind and friendly once they arrived.

Startling First Person Account

Unlike John Hersey’s Hiroshima, which splices multiple survivor accounts, Dr. Hachiya’s two month single perspective account connects better as the listener must stay with his narrative. From embarrassed patient to one of a few doctors when he gets on his feet, Dr. Hachiya’s account provides a clear picture of life during and well after the blast. This would be a worthy addition to anyone’s Audible library.