On August 6, 1945, the United States of America dropped the world's first atomic bomb, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, a decision that ushered in the nuclear age and marked the end of World War II. When the atomic bomb exploded at 8:15 A.M., 70,000 people were killed instantly. Thousands more were dead of radiation sickness within weeks. More still were sick, scarred, and deformed for the rest of their lives by the chemicals in the bomb. Three days later, a second bomb killed 40,000 people in Nagasaki. Clive A. Lawton explores the politics and the science behind the military decision that began the nuclear arms race. Through photographs, maps, and primary sources, he investigates the events that led up to the disaster at Hiroshima in 1945 and discusses the consequences that we are still living with today.

Includes index.

"The Power of a thousand suns" -- Splitting the atom -- Spread of war -- Manhattan project -- Relentless enemy -- Slow progress -- Research continues -- Victory in Europe -- Making the decision -- "Enola gay is on its way" -- "It's Hiroshima!" -- On the ground -- Second bomb -- Unconditional surrender -- After the surrender -- Survivors -- Hiroshima today -- Was it the right decision? -- World peace postponed -- And tomorrow? -- Key dates -- Glossary -- Who's who -- Science -- Index -- Acknowledgments.