

Ep 137: Richard Frank on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and World War II’s Endgame
Aug 6, 2024
Richard Frank, a historian and author renowned for his works on World War II, delves into the weighty legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He discusses the staggering human cost, shedding light on the often overlooked casualties in China. The conversation explores the strategic military decisions leading to unconditional surrender and the contrasting approaches taken by the U.S. Army and Navy. Frank also addresses the complexities behind the bombings, urging a comprehensive understanding of their profound impact on both Japan and beyond.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 4min
Exploring Historical Methodologies: Academia vs. Popular History
04:21 • 2min
Revisiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki
05:56 • 9min
The Human Cost of World War II
14:34 • 4min
A Broader Perspective on the Atomic Bombings and Their Human Cost
18:57 • 2min
Diverging Strategies: The U.S. Military's Approach to Japan
20:50 • 15min
Strategic Invasion Plans for Japan's Home Islands
35:53 • 2min
Unpacking Unconditional Surrender
37:26 • 20min