Recently, there have been questions about the accuracy of some parts of this book. At this time, Tantor Media will continue to make it available to our customers, but we wanted to make you aware of the issues. Here is a statement from the hardcover publisher of the book, Henry Holt and Company: "It is with deep regret that Henry Holt and Company announces that we will no longer print, correct or ship copies of Charles Pellegrino's The Last Train from Hiroshima due to the discovery of dishonest sources of information for the book. It is easy to understand how even the most diligent author could be duped by a source, but we also understand that this opens that book to very detailed scrutiny. The author of any work of non-fiction must stand behind its content. We must rely on our authors to answer questions that may arise as to the accuracy of their work and reliability of their sources. Unfortunately, Mr. Pellegrino was not able to answer the additional questions that have arisen about his book to our satisfaction." The Last Train from Hiroshima offers listeners a stunning "you are there" time capsule, gracefully wrapped in elegant prose. Charles Pellegrino's scientific authority and close relationship with the A-bomb's survivors make his account the most gripping and authoritative ever written. At the narrative's core are eyewitness accounts of those who experienced the atomic explosions firsthand—the Japanese civilians on the ground and the American fliers in the air. Thirty people are known to have fled Hiroshima for Nagasaki—where they arrived just in time to survive the second bomb. One of them, Tsutomu Yamaguchi, is the only person who experienced the full effects of the cataclysm at ground zero both times. The second time, the blast effects were diverted around the stairwell in which Yamaguchi had been standing, placing him and a few others in a shock cocoon that offered protection, while the entire building disappeared around them. Pellegrino weaves spellbinding stories together within a narrative that challenges the "official report," showing exactly what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki—and why.
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"A powerful and moving recap of the horrors faced by those folks on the wrong end of our ABombs. The stories of the folks who were caught in both blasts are unbelievable. The final chapters outlining the fate of the survivors is grim. Hardly a happy story but I'm glad I read it." — Scott (5 out of 5 stars)
"A powerful and moving recap of the horrors faced by those folks on the wrong end of our ABombs. The stories of the folks who were caught in both blasts are unbelievable. The final chapters outlining the fate of the survivors is grim. Hardly a happy story but I'm glad I read it."
“Pellegrino dissects the complex political and military strategies that went into the atomic detonations and the untold suffering heaped on countless Japanese civilians, weaving all of the book’s many elements into a wise, informed protest against any further use of these terrible weapons.”
The stories of the few Japanese survivors...are heart-stopping.... A wise, informed protest against any further use of these terrible weapons.
" A chilling moment to moment recount of what happened to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Countless interviews are woven together by Pellegrino into a heart-sinking story of humanity's darkest moments. "
" It should have been a long article. It was a stretch of a book with the same info over and over. I was bored. "
" Excellent detail, moving stories, lots of names to keep track of but a list is provided. Very well done "
" overwhelming technical descriptions; I hope we never do this again. "
" Very good. Very hard to read. I can't believe we ever did such a terrible thing as a country. I hope it never ever happens again. I'm glad that the Japanese story is finally getting out. "
" Excellent book. Covers much more than the devestation of the atomic bomb, its a personal account of survival, loss and the tradgedy of war through the eyes and hearts of the people who were experienced it. "
" This book scared me to death ! "
" Pending. "
" Nightmare territory. "
" Everyone should read this book. War is to be avoided at all costs. "
" The book was a quick and good read with some historical accuracies. In light of the comments regarding the accuracy and background of the author I have to take some of the personal stories with a grain of salt. Overall though it was a good depiction and worth reading. "
" Even with the concerns over the accuracy of some of the book's characters, the account was still haunting. "
" This had more scientific information than I expected. I think I would have enjoyed it more had it followed the characters more closely. "
" Fair warning, it has been reported that some of the accounts in this are questionable. I still found this to be a very good read. "
" I loved reading Ghosts of Vesuvius so can't wait to start this book. This was a well written and researched book. The topic matter was difficult to read with many deaths and the cruel realities of atomic bomb and war. "
" Didn't finish this book. Somewhat interesting, but slow moving and very graphic. "
" Awesome book, took me a long time to get through it. It was overwhelming and could only take so much at a time. If everyone read this book, there would be no more wars. "
" facts/fiction aside, just a poorly written book. "
Charles Pellegrino is the author of many books, including Unearthing Atlantis and Her Name, Titanic. He is a paleontologist who designs robotic space probes and relativistic rockets, as well as the scientist whose dinosaur cloning recipe inspired Michael Crichton’s blockbuster novel Jurassic Park. In his spare time, he writes science fiction novels and techno thrillers, which have been met with high acclaim. Winner of the 2000 Isaac Asimov Memorial Award for Science Writing, he lives in New York.
Arthur Morey has won three AudioFile Magazine “Best Of” Awards, and his work has garnered numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed him as a finalist for two Audie Awards. He has acted in a number of productions, both off Broadway in New York and off Loop in Chicago. He graduated from Harvard and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. He has won awards for his fiction and drama, worked as an editor with several book publishers, and taught literature and writing at Northwestern University. His plays and songs have been produced in New York, Chicago, and Milan, where he has also performed.
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