“Ham's 629-page volume shows familiarity with much of the literature and debates within historiography, skillfully uses some archival research, and ranges widely in political, diplomatic, and military history… Ham is a splendid storyteller, a master of engrossing and exciting narrative. …[he] digs deeper, and brings back to life the figures who dominated this history, in a page-turner that could reach a wide audience.” —Los Angeles Review of Books

“Ham presents a forceful argument that the bombing was excessive and unjustified… In this sweeping and comprehensive history, Ham details the geopolitical considerations and huge egos behind evolving theories of warfare… But most powerful are the eyewitness accounts of 80 survivors, ordinary people caught up in the events of war.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Moral anger drives Mr. Ham… He shows us in agonizing detail that many were maimed or killed… Ordinary Japanese, Mr. Ham believes, were less emperor-worshiping fanatics than victims of an authoritarian elite that prolonged the war with no regard for their hardships.” —The Wall Street Journal Book Review

“A provocative look at the closing days of the Japanese Empire and the long shadow cast ever after by the atomic bomb….A valuable contribution to the literature of World War II that asks its readers to rethink much of what they've been taught about America's just cause.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An absorbing read and thoroughly researched work, it is a must-read for those interested in the mortal aspects of total war and military strategy in general. Ham's work will be cited as an important addition to a debate that continues 70 years after the event.” —Publishers Weekly

“[A] vivid, comprehensive, and quietly furious account . . . Paul Ham brings new tools to the job, unearthing fresh evidence of a deeply disturbing sort. He has a magpie eye for the telling detail.” —Ben Macintyre, The Times (UK)

“Comprehensive and horrifying.” —Jonathan Mirsky, Literary Review (UK)

“Provocative and challenging . . . A voice that is both vigorous and passionate.” —Christopher Sylvester, Daily Express (UK)

“An eyewitness picture that leaves Dante's Inferno looking pale . . . Well documented and stringently argued.” —Peter Lewis, Daily Mail (UK)

“A provocative reassessment . . . Ham writes with anger and a journalist's eye.” —The Daily Telegraph (UK)

“With more detail than the average textbook yet written in a way that pulls you in . . . this is essential for anyone remotely interested in . . . history.” —The Sunday Telegraph (Australia)

“In his comprehensive narrative [Ham] explores the history of the two blasts with considerable skill.” —Josh Glancy, The Sunday Times (UK)