Ghosts of Hiroshima (Charles Pellegrino, 2025)

Book club selection per POC, session held Feb 1, 2026.

Some interesting items about the two A-bombs dropped on Japan but I could never quite figure out what the author's point was.  Coincidences of a few folks who experienced the bombings in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, OK.

Couldn't keep the names straight but that worked out.

Lots of details or suggestions about physics or nuclear stuff happening immediately at the bomb drop and then in the aftermath.  Sounded cool but I didn't really understand much here. 

I was interested in the discussion of coming up with a flight plan that enabled the plane to escape the bomb. Hadn't thought about how bombs normally proceed in the direction of the dropping bomber.

Japan anything but a victim.  What was up with Japan (going back to Mejii Restoration)? The "cherry blossom" weapon - more suicide bombing. Ask China.

The POWs becoming captors, instantly - compliance/obedience.

Talking about how terrible it all was but couldn't really pick up a POV as to who was doing the wrong thing here. Sure everyone agrees that having these weapons around is a bad thing but probably also agrees better for US than Russia, Germany, Japan.  Today: Iran, etc.

Japanese internment in the US - mostly taking the second-guessing approach "oh how awful". 

Hadn't known or thought about the discrimination in Japan against folks with exposure - either had or could get "disease X" - affected jobs, marriages, schooling.

Same with Japanese who had emigrated to US and then sought to return to Japan.

Lots of cranes by a dying little girl - OK. 

Working hard to weave in Trump.

Couldn't see how it added much to John Hersey's 1946 classic ("Hiroshima") - which followed six survivors - very immediate - lacked backward-looking perspective but that probably was a plus. 

Hawaii (James Michener, 1959)

(1095 pages)

This is recommended as useful background for Hawaii visitors - which we plan to be - so I thought I'd give it a shot.  Long (but quick reading); often interesting; in the end not that great - but I think quite helpful for its intended purposes. 

Michener starts with the formation of the islands - very late geologically.  Then arrival of folks from Bora Bora and Tahiti area - this is interesting to think about if speculative.  Then arrival of missionaries - these folks had tremendous influence on the islands, generation after generation of their descendants pretty much ran things.  (The book is fiction, but I think somewhat tracks the trajectory here.). The transit of the missionaries around Cape Horn was quite the adventure.  Cramped quarters; most missionaries married just prior to embarking to brides they just met (missionaries required to be married).  This is in 1820s.

What I'll call native Hawaiians did not thrive - disease, policy, etc. 

Discussion of sugar plantations, arrival of pineapples, arrival of other plants.  Figuring out irrigation. As labor is required - folks are brought in from China (this story centered on the Kee family).  Intended to be temporary workers that would return to China, but most ended up staying.  Founding of Molokai leper colony and arrival of Peter Damian. Later - arrivals from Japan, pretty much the same story (this part centered on Sagakawa family).  Some rise through the system despite intense prejudice.  Being good at (American) football helped.

Pearl Harbor.  Formation of a US army unit of Japanese soldiers - mostly from Hawaii - they end up in intense fighting near Cassino - very much the same time frame as Irvin Bormann, the Japanese unit has the misfortune of being assigned to cross the Rapido River.  Later they are unexpectedly tasked with rescuing the "Lost Battalion" in France - taking way more casualties than the number of folks rescued.

The discussion moves into 1940s and 1950s politics, labor unions, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty who works as a beach bum - this part not so interesting.

Twilight of the Gods (Ian Toll, 2020)

(792 pages)

Third of a trilogy; part 1 here and part 2 here.  Highly recommended - very readable and I constantly was learning new things.

Opens with Hawaii planning session.

So much happening - at exact time as dramatic events in Europe - much less attention to Pacific (at least by me!)

Japanese fleet as deeply frustrated with years of struggle after some early success; part of the problem is lack of fuel - for example the two brand new super-ships just sit in port because of insupportable fuel consumption.  The idea that the fleet would be sent into battle in the Philippines without useful air support - meaning certain failure - so that it could at least be destroyed with honor.  The meeting at which this is explicitly discussed; the emotions.  Wow.

Interesting discussion of kamikaze.  Didn't realize Japanese were developing a range of suicide devices (not just planes).  Good explanation of how suicide tactics and "no surrender" ethos were perversions of the samurai/historical ethos (which yes did include ritual suicide - a different concept, per author).  So many experienced pilots were lost, the newbies pretty much didn't stand a chance as US resources and tactics ramped up - some school of thought that since the pilots weren't going to come back anyway, just as well give them a simple tactic that had some chance of success.  Incredibly chilling.  Especially as waves of these things are coming in during Leyte battle, etc.  And more waves.  Many enthusiastic volunteers (though later, an increasing number return to base due to "engine trouble").

Story of the Tin Cans - Halsey leaving them unguarded - Evans.

I like the attention given to the submarines - not a topic I otherwise run into.  Wahoo success continues, then O'Kane has his own successful sub.  Technology advancing so rapidly.

B-29 stories are interesting - speed of development, modifications continue even after delivery.  Hadn't realized it was so much larger than the B-17.  Challenge of high-altitude bombing.

Leyte ground battle in general - difficult, Japanese pouring in resources.  Luzon.  In both cases - relatively large-scale ground force encounters - new to the Pacific, terrible per usual.  Manila - I hadn't realized the extent of the damage to what had once been a beautiful city, the horrific treatment of civilians by the Japanese.

Story of the December 1944 typhoon - had never heard of this - Halsey not effective in avoiding it, reasons.

Interesting if short discussion of commencement of home front transition to postwar prep as early as late 1944.  Some of this pulled back as unseemly, morale-damaging for servicemen still in difficult situations.

Hellish fighting on Okinawa .  Hellish, repeated kamikaze attacks.  This went on for a long time (April 1 - mid June 1945).  Description of fresh soldiers coming to the front lines to relieve spent units - made me think of Verdun's Voie Sacree - perhaps the author's intent, as he specifically mentions this a paragraph or three later.  Closest thing to WWI in the Pacific theater - except add modern weaponry, planes & ships.

It's hard to say what is "fair" in war, but the incredible difficulty for US forces dealing with no-surrender ground troops, kamikaze pilots and boats - such a high toll on both sides in a war where the outcome is all but inevitable.  Like Germany - hang on, hoping for something to happen that will cause the near-certain victor to negotiate.  Like Germany - the regime seems indifferent to the cost (which is almost entirely borne by others).

Reading about the nasty fighting in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa - and thinking what this foreshadowed for a homeland invasion - as A-bomb became available, one can definitely see how using it made sense to so many.  (Setting aside the "message to Russia" element.)

B-29s switch to incendiary attacks on cities - similar awfulness, but what to do?  Stunning ramp-up (some incendiary but mostly strategic) as European theater winds down, I hadn't realized the intensity of the bombing in those last weeks.

FDR succeeded by Truman - with a lot for him to learn, consider.

Potsdam Declaration.  Dropping the two atomic bombs - matter-of-fact descriptions (which I liked and which reminded me of Hersey) - the story tells itself.  Awesome in the old sense of the word - inspiring fear/awe.

The weakness of the peace party in Japan (again suggesting invasion would have been required absent A-bomb (I realize plenty disagree on this point, esp. as to Nagasaki)).  Hirohito's broadcast.  Near-rebellion doesn't get traction; the role of Hirohito and family. 

McArthur's short speech at the surrender ceremony - seems powerful and just right - hard to imagine how that felt after what folks had been through.

Wrap-up with occupation of Japan and returning servicemen, I'd be interested in knowing more about this.

The Conquering Tide - War in the Pacific Islands, 1942-1944 (Ian Toll, 2015)

(542 pages)

Second of a trilogy focusing on the war in the Pacific (first of the trilogy is discussed here).  As with the first - readable, interesting, full of information I didn't know.  Looking forward to #3.

Guadalcanal (August 1942, ends early February 1943) - lengthy, interesting discussion - challenges, risk, inexperience, relative shortage of equipment - seeking to minimize risk of loss, esp of carriers at this stage.

Submarines - tales of the Wahoo.  Submarines were really important - especially as technology and tactics rapidly improved.

Wondering how carriers would function in 2022?  Presumably better attack and defense systems but to what balance?

Tarawa (November 1943) - bloody assault via beach landing, painful lessons; precursor to Normandy.

Improving radar, more effective bombing runs; though not against bunker-type preparation.

Inter-service rivalries - preceded Joint Chiefs - reminds of 9/11, just add one more layer! Challenging for U.S., worse in Japan.

As move through 1943 and into 1944 - incredible improvement by the U.S. in so many elements.  Better tactics - improved accuracy by fighters and bombers.  Incredible increase in manpower and equipment - including carriers and other huge ships.  Submarine efficacy.  Steep learning curve, impressive.  Better airplanes - once-feared Zeroes now so weak.

Japanese limited in manpower - especially experienced, even decently-trained, fighter pilots.  Limited in fuel - wanted to fight near Borneo oilfields.  Losing equipment that can't be replaced.

Big fights on Saipan and Guam (June -August 1944), but eventual success - lots of casualties even if some benefit from lessons learned on Tarawa.  And accompanying naval/air battles pretty much finished off Japan in those areas.  Now within striking distance of the home islands.

Rather amazing - and the author emphasizes - that the huge Saipan operation (starting June 15, 1944) far west in the Pacific is happening within days, literally, of the Normandy invasion - the US did both!

Starts to sound like the war in Europe at this same stage - the war is over for all practical purposes in terms of identifying the victor; losing side hangs on hoping that winning side will get tired and negotiate (perhaps after losing side manages a lucky victory or two).

American performance - including production from the home front - just incredible.

Not just the battles - author continues to give information about the key personalities, leaders.

Japanese soldiers with no-surrender ethos - suicidal. 

Pacific Crucible - War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942 (Ian Toll, 2012)

(491 pages)

Christmas gift from PJr & Nedda.  First of a three-part trilogy.

Reviewers have compared to Rick Atkinson's trilogy on WWII in Europe - high praise - and I think it's apt.  Readable; detail but not too much; biographical background on key figures without getting bogged down.  Leaves the reader looking forward to the next installment.

I liked the description of background in Japan - events leading to the war - the mood of the country, as least as the leaders sought to mold it.  1905 naval battle with Russia; then into China.

I don't recall reading about Alfred Mahan - 19th century thinker on naval strategy - sounds like he was incredibly influential.  And probably had great ideas.  Except airplanes came along.

Pearl Harbor discussion.  The incredible speed of Japanese advances in the early months.

The Doolittle raid - gave me new ideas about this - if only the idea of launching bombers off an aircraft carrier, for the very first time, with no practice.  Strong winds on the day of the attack were good/bad news - the good news is that taking off into the wind works better with more wind; the bad news is that the carrier is pitching up and down.  Pilots sought to time the pitching - accelerate on the downward pitch, then catch the upward pitch to get aloft.  Impossibly short runway.  No practice.  It worked, well enough.

Coral Sea - long/hard to follow.  Difficulties of successful reconnaissance; difficulties of hitting bombing goals; useful in next chapter (Midway).

Decryption - didn't know much about this in the Pacific theater but it was crucial (so much attention in Europe).  This was fascinating.

Battle of Midway - with Coral Sea discussion, gave me a better idea of how these aircraft carrier battles took place - where ships never see one another (I think these fleets were nearly 100 miles apart).  Difficulty of hitting targets - but it only took one or a few hits on a given target for complete success.  Utilization of decryption team's input - big effect on Midway battle.   This part was also a great read.

Buddha in the Attic (Julie Otsuka, 2011)

(129 pages)

Book club selection (via Rose; session held 15 September 2019).

Really well written story of Japanese "picture brides" who came over to the U.S (in early 20th century, I believe).  Starts with their high hopes on the boat coming to the U.S., moves through disappointments when they meet their actual husbands, then they settle in and build lives.

Conscious decision by author, editor, publisher - super-low key, no individual characters following a plot, short; leads up to WWII interment camps, but provides no "here's what happened after the internment."

Like poetry; incredibly dense.  I was somewhat discouraged around the halfway mark, then was sorry it was ending.

It does make one think of what I'll call national traits - immigrant groups did (probably still do) bring some characteristics that can be generalized, no matter how out of fashion this might have become.   Japanese immigrants thriving in California.

Also makes one think about the power of groups in general, or tribes; the "other"; mob mentality can turn on the "other" - seems like an intractable problem (though I do think there is overall progress).

The book also provided another useful take at describing being a stranger in a strange land.

Year Zero - A History of 1945 (Ian Buruma, 2013)

Another look at the immediate aftermath of WWII - the amazing year of 1945 - insights into how countries tried to start over.

Often with significantly different demographics than obtained prior to the war.

I rather expected this to cover similar ground as this so-helpful work by Tony Judt - but the overlap isn't all that much - Buruma covers more countries (Asia, for example) but in less detail than Europe-focused Judt.  And he pretty much sticks to his "Year Zero" theme; Judt covers a longer time span.

There was a significant amount of "retribution" - but also a practical viewpoint - plenty of people who hadn't behaved all that well now were needed to make these countries work - an active process of forgetting, or overlooking, was pursued in so many cases.  As Judt discussed, this did lead to some backlash later.  But I don't know how these places could otherwise have functioned.

Returning POWs or campers often not all that welcome - or sympathized with - home front folks had their own problems (and opportunities!)

Useful discussion of a difficult situation that I think tends to be overlooked - huge decisions with corresponding consequences came down as WWII closed and the postwar period commenced.

Forgotten Ally - China's World War II 1937-1945 (Rana Mitter, 2013)

I overlook just how long China was caught up in what became known as World War II - well into year five before Pearl Harbor was bombed.  Also hadn't appreciated that all this action was draining on Japan as well - some rationing was already underway there prior to Pearl Harbor.  Which helps make the Pearl Harbor gamble, and other adventures, somewhat more understandable from their perspective.

China - what a mess.  Chiang Kai Shek trying to lead a nationalist government starting in late 1920s (following Sun Yat-Sen) after the humiliations over the years (opium wars, Boxer Rebellion, foreign concessions, etc.).  But little national feeling; and insufficient centralized power.  Warlords still control territories.  CKS spends time in Soviet Union and comes away strongly anti-Communist.  But back home in China - Communists are making headway; but Nationalists are somewhat stronger.  Communist remnant forced in 1934 to undertake the now-mythologized "Long March" to isolation in the northwest.  Where Mao gained influence over the years.

Communists and Nationalists worried about Japan, but more worried about each other.

CKS blows up a dam to slow down the Japanese - with breathtaking disregard for the lives of his own people.  Nationalist forces arrogant; civilians starve while they commandeer.  All this ultimately benefits Mao.

Chinese military thoroughly unimpressive despite some modernization efforts.  After Pearl Harbor, US is interested in keeping China in the war as a distraction for Japan.  But no trust develops among the allies.  Gen. Stillwell (US Army) installed as chief of staff but mostly fights with CKS, not effective.  CKS's wife a force for propaganda in U.S. (as discussed, interestingly, in this book).  In the end, some Japanese forces were tied down.

Mao's Cultural Revolution of the 1960s did not come out of nowhere - already in the late '30s and early '40s he was demonizing non-peasants up in his northwest-China power base.  Main butchery to come.  Just one of several absolutely astonishing 20th century killing machines.

The Tsar's Last Armada (Constantine Pleshakov)

Battle of Tsushima, 1905.  Russian unpreparedness.  Consequences for Russian politics.

Hirohito and the making of modern Japan (Herbert Bix)

Biography.  Ordinary person; treated as divine; surrender message; cooperation with Allies; relationship with MacArthur.

Empire's End (John Keay)

Far East from colonialism to Hong Kong turnover to China.