Product Description

The reissue of this classic manga's first volume has impeccable timing. It recounts the bombing of Hiroshima from the perspective of a young boy, Gen, and his family. But the book's themes (the physical and psychological damage ordinary people suffer from war's realities) ring chillingly true today. Despite its harrowing nature, this work is invaluable for the lessons it offers in history, humanity and compassion. Published to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #162494 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

One of the greatest stories ever told !
I first read this book when it was first published back in 1994, it is the story of a young japanese boy growing up in the middle of World War 2. His whole life is turned upside down by the Atomic Bomb being dropped on his motherland, beautifully and graphically told. AMAZING

Please read this book!
Volumes 1 & 2 of Nakazawa's famous comic series about a boy called 'Gen' and his life in Hiroshima during the WWII and soon after the atomic bomb. The first two volumes of this series are probably the most important ones. After I read them, I just had to lend them to everyone I knew. If you read this story, you'll realise how silly to hear some popular opiniton 'Dropping two atomic bombs in Japan was necessary to end the war'. The author Nakazawa says that each and every event illustrated here is a true story. You'll see, for example, that two young brothers fight against each other for a little grain of rice. Gen trying to encourage a girl who used to be dreaming about one day becoming a professional dancer, but now her face was badly burnt by the bomb, although she still didn't know it - he refuses to let her see the mirror.
The bombs were dropped onto civilians in the two cities, and, in Hiroshima alone, 100,000 people, including children, elderly people and western prisoners of war, were killed instantly, and the pain they suffered from it was tremendous. The way some of Gen's family members, including a new born baby sister, were slowly dying is simply too sad to look at. But the reality is that it actually took place and was caused by human hands.
I sincerely hope that many people will find the opportunity to read this book at least once in their life-time, and I strongly believe that this book will enlighten the whole world with the message: 'What really happens when a nuclear bomb is dropped onto humanity', which hasn't really been talked about in history books for some reason. But I think it's time to face reality.

Think you have seen it all? Think again
I had no inkling of what lay in store when I borrowed this marvellous book from my brother. I read it in one sitting and was totally absorbed by the story of Gen, his family and their neighbours in Hiroshima. The author paints a fascinating portrait of Japanese wartime society, the petty domestic concerns of the people, their faith in victory and their belief in their leaders which to me seems totally authentic. He charts the dropping of the bomb and its aftermath in shocking detail and reveals the pain and anguish of the survivors. I challenge readers not to be deeply effected by this tale of loss, love and survival.