History Extra podcast Hiroshima: in the shadow of the bomb
23 snips
Aug 3, 2025 
Iain MacGregor, author of 'The Hiroshima Men', dives deep into the human stories behind the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He highlights survivor Michiko Kodama's emotional journey and the broader impacts on post-war society. The conversation navigates the moral struggles faced by individuals in a militaristic Japan and examines Colonel Leslie R. Groves’ influential leadership in the Manhattan Project. MacGregor also discusses journalist John Hersey's crucial reporting, revealing the complex legacy of atomic energy as both a symbol of progress and destruction.
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Meeting Hiroshima Survivor Michiko Kodama
- Meeting Hiroshima survivor Michiko Kodama was deeply emotional and change my perspective on the bomb's impact.
- Her story embodies resilience amid stigma and the tragic cancer deaths in her family.
Hiroshima's Forgotten Mayor
- Senkichi Iwaiya, Hiroshima's mayor when the bomb fell, died instantly and was largely forgotten.
- His life story is a metaphor for Japan's rise, Western influence, and tragic wartime losses.
Demonization Fueled Bomb Drive
- US propaganda dehumanized Japanese as brutal enemies after Pearl Harbor.
- This demonization lessened hesitation toward developing and using the atomic bomb.
