Countdown 1945: The Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed History

Countdown 1945 is the #1 national bestselling account that takes readers behind the scenes of the 116 days leading up to the American attack on Hiroshima. Written by Chris Wallace, a veteran journalist, CNN anchor, and host of Max, the book has been described as "riveting" by The New York Times and "propulsive" by Time. The Washington Post also praises it, stating that it reads like a tense thriller.

The story begins on April 12, 1945, when America is shocked by the news of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death. After years of bloody conflict in Europe and the Pacific, the nation finds itself in a state of uncertainty. In an instant, Vice President Harry Truman, who has been excluded from war planning and kept unaware of the top-secret Manhattan Project, is thrust into the role of commander-in-chief. With the world's first atomic bomb being developed, Truman faces one of the most momentous decisions in history.

Countdown 1945 unveils the gripping and true narrative of the tumultuous days, weeks, and months that follow Roosevelt's death. The book culminates in the events of August 6, 1945, when Truman ultimately gives the order to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. Throughout the narrative, Chris Wallace provides readers with an intimate look into the minds of the enigmatic figures involved in the pursuit of the atomic bomb.

Among the personalities highlighted in Countdown 1945 is the renowned physicist Albert Einstein, who later regrets providing vocal support for the atomic bomb. Wallace also sheds light on J. Robert "Oppie" Oppenheimer, the lead researcher, and the Soviet spies who secretly infiltrate his team. The competitive pilots selected to carry out the mission to drop the bomb are also explored in detail.

However, at its core, Countdown 1945 delves into the story of an untested president facing the weight of a decision that will alter the course of history. In addition to being a book about the atomic bomb, it is a poignant account of the lives of ordinary American and Japanese civilians during wartime.

Through vivid storytelling, Wallace introduces readers to individuals like Ruth Sisson, a "Calutron Girl" stationed in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Hideko Tamura, a ten-year-old resident of Hiroshima who survives the bomb but loses her mother. The book also highlights the experiences of American soldiers in the Pacific, anxiously awaiting the order to potentially invade Japan.

Countdown 1945 captures the essence of this significant moment in history with its compelling narrative, thoughtfulness, and compassion. It provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the events that paved the way for the use of atomic weapons and the far-reaching consequences that followed.

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