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Thomas Niblock
6/2/08
History 4000-Dr. Morrill
Book Review
Hiroshima
by Ronald Takaki: Reviewed by Thomas Niblock
Ronald
Takaki’s Hiroshima, was published in Canada in 1995 by Little, Brown
and Company (Canada) Limited. Dr.
Ronald Takaki, Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California
at Berkeley, where he also earned his Ph.D., wrote this book to re-examine
the reasons behind America’s decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.
Ronald Takaki writes with a sense of
confidence and knowledge that appeals to the general reader as well as the
specialist. In the book he uses primary sources, along with some of the
better known secondary ones. He weaves a story that covers the spectrum of
the events leading up to and following the dropping of the atomic bomb. In
the process he delivers a strong indictment of the government's entire
decision-making process.
Takaki's thesis does not change the original debate because it is not
possible to do so on an issue that is so controversial when the event
occurred and is still just as controversial today. That is not the purpose
of Takaki writing the book. As he notes in his first chapter,
“as we revisit Hiroshima
historically, we need to have a serious and substantive debate, not casual
and uninformed opinions or angry attacks on the Smithsonian that suppress
many facts and stifle discussion. Imposing only one version of history based
on a narrow and biased selection of evidence--what can be termed "political
correctness"--is wrong, whether it comes from the left or the right. What we
need is historical accuracy” (10-11). Takaki briefly covers all the
arguments that have created debate about Hiroshima such as the Soviet Union,
Truman's insecurity, racism, and stereotypical masculinity. Takaki makes it
clear that "Truman is the key to understanding why America dropped the bomb
on Hiroshima" (p. 10). To prove this point, the author digs deep into
Truman's psyche: "Behind Truman's exterior of confidence and conviction,
however, was an intricate personality, driven by an inferiority complex,
notions of race, a need to be resolute and masculine, and feelings of
ambivalence, as well as remorse" (p. 10). Truman is psychoanalyzed
throughout the book.
This is not a very strong book in that it has many downfalls in giving valid
up to date explanations. The book is well written but is unable to avoid
the consequence that psychohistory brings. He argues that "The language and
notions of masculinity seemed to frame the way Truman and his policymakers
viewed . . . the atomic bomb" (114-5). Of course this is true because war
has always been a test of masculinity and manliness. Takaki shunned away
from explaining with valid points the decision to drop the bomb. He is also
guilty of ex post facto judgment because he uses racism as an assessment to
Truman’s decision. He talked about how his grandparents had been
slaveholders and he as a young boy used racial terminology against African
Americans, Asians, and Native Americans. Takaki needs to use better
information if he wants to factor in racism as a decision to drop the bomb.
In the final analysis, Takaki does precisely what he set out not to do: he
imposes a version of history that is largely one-sided and controversial.
While I happen to agree with nearly every argument he makes, I doubt very
much that the opposing crowd will find this to be a balanced and valid
assessment. Hiroshima: Why
America Dropped the Atomic Bomb is a good and well written book. If
Takaki wanted to write a book that would appeal to a non-professional
audience, he did a very good job at that.
The book is not going to change many minds, and is certainly
not going to put an end as to why the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. Its
doubtable to say that any book will ever justify and explain completely why
the bomb was dropped and what is a complete valid reason in doing so.
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