American Survivors: Trans-Pacific Memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

American Survivors is a new book that tells the stories of US survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, challenging the dualistic distinction between Americans and Japanese and revealing a cross-national history of war, illness, immigration, gender, family, and community.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

American Survivors is a groundbreaking and deeply moving historical account that delves into the experiences of American survivors of the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. This book not only expands our understanding of the Second World War but also sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of nuclear weaponry and its impact on society. What sets American Survivors apart is its trans-Pacific perspective, challenging the traditional binary of Americans as victors and Japanese as victims. Through the use of over 130 oral histories, including those of Japanese American and Korean American survivors, their family members, community activists, and physicians, author Naoko Wake offers a deeply personal and intimate exploration of a cross-national history of war, illness, immigration, gender, family, and community. This is a history that unfolds from the perspectives of individuals who have lived through the trauma and witnessed the profound consequences of these atomic bombings. American Survivors sheds light on the historical connections and disparities that unite people across time and national boundaries, highlighting the enduring impact of these events on individuals and communities. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Weight: 624g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108799904