Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire Paperback - 2001
by Richard B. Frank
Told from contemporary accounts on both sides, this is the definitive story of how the war in the Pacific ended with the controversial use of the atomic bomb.
Summary
First line
With the night came north winds, blowing bitter and cold across the uneasy city.
From the jacket flap
Downfall opens with a vivid portrayal of the catastrophic fire raid on Tokyo in March 1945 -- which was to be followed by the utter destruction of almost every major Japanese city -- and ends with the anguished vigil of American and Japanese leaders waiting to learn if Japan's armed forces would obey the Emperor's order to surrender.
America's use of the atom bomb has generated more heated controversy than any other event of the whole war:
-- Did nuclear weapons save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans poised to invade Japan.?-- Did U.S. leaders know that Japan was urgently seeking peace and needed only assurance about the Emperor's safety to end the war swiftly?
-- Was the bomb really used to intimidate the Russians?-- Why wasn't the devastating power of the weapon demonstrated first before being unleashed on a city?
Richard B. Frank has brought to life these critical times, working from primary documents, reports, diaries, and newly declassified records. These pages present the untold story of how American leaders learned in the summer of 1945 that their compromise strategy to end the war by blockade and bombardment, followed by invasion, had been shattered; radio intelligence had unmasked a massive Japanese buildup on Kyushu designed to turn the initial invasion into a bloody shambles. Meanwhile, the text and analysis of diplomatic intercepts depicted sterile prospects for negotiation before a final clash of arms. Here also, for the first time, is a full and balanced account of how Japan's leaders risked annihilation by gambling on a military strategy aimed at securing political bargaining leverage to preserve the old order in Japan.
Downfall replacesthe myths that now surround the end of the war and the use of the bomb with the stark realities of this great historical controversy.Details
- Title Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
- Author Richard B. Frank
- Binding Paperback
- Edition Reissue
- Pages 512
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Penguin Books, New York
- Date May 1, 2001
- Illustrated Yes
- Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Maps
- ISBN 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Weight 1.02 lbs (0.46 kg)
- Dimensions 8.43 x 5.5 x 1.14 in (21.41 x 13.97 x 2.90 cm)
- Ages 18 to UP years
- Grade levels 13 - UP
-
Themes
- Chronological Period: 1940's
- Chronological Period: 20th Century
- Cultural Region: Asian - General
- Cultural Region: East Asian
- Cultural Region: Asian - Japanese
- Library of Congress subjects World War, 1939-1945 - Aerial operations,, Japan - History - 1926-1945
- Dewey Decimal Code 940.542
More Copies for Sale
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B
- Used
- near fine
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Edition
- 7th Printing
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Webster, New York, United States
- Item Price
-
$8.00$6.19 shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall : The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Reno, Nevada, United States
- Item Price
-
$10.43FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- New
- Condition
- New
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 7
- Seller
-
Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States
- Item Price
-
$12.16$3.99 shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B
- Used
- Paperback
- Condition
- Used: Good
- Edition
- Reissue
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
- Item Price
-
$13.18FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.35FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.35FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.35FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedLikeNew
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.58FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedLikeNew
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.58FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire
by Frank, Richard B.
- Used
- Condition
- UsedLikeNew
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780141001463 / 0141001461
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
- Item Price
-
$22.58FREE shipping to USA