Stephen Walker was born in London. He has a BA in History from Oxford and an MA in the History of Science from Harvard. His previous book was Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima, a New York Times bestseller. As well as being a writer he is also an award-winning documentary director. His films have won an Emmy, a BAFTA and the Rose d'Or, Europe's most prestigious documentary award.
"Dramatic ... an important page-turner ... admirably evenhanded and smoothly written." -- Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A-)"A meticulous, emotionally devastating portrait of both sides ... [Walker] creates an arresting feeling of suspense." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Like John Hersey's HIROSHIMA, SHOCKWAVE brings to life one of history's most profound events. Don't miss it." -- Arizona Republic"Electrifying . . .The tension and concentration of Walker's thriller-like prose elicits a visceral response." -- Chicago Tribune "Gripping...takes us back to 1945, allowing readers to appreciate the spectacular scientific effort that created this tool of doom." -- Raleigh News & Observer"Shockwave is a stunning book, among the most immediate and thrilling works of history I have ever read." -- Irish Times"Uniquely readable, immediate, and human . . . an exceptionally taut and revealing chronicle." -- Booklist (starred review)"Walker takes readers on a roller-coaster ride ... invite[s] comparison with John Hersey's still-classic Hiroshima." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Superb. . . . Walker writes with a sense of urgency and high drama . . . engrossing [and] saddening." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"Highly recommended ... [Walker] lends a rapid pace and cinematic air to the narrative." -- Library Journal
Walker (King of Cannes: Madness, Mayhem and the Movies) here commemorates the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945). In the past six decades, much has been written about the atomic bombs used on Japan and about the Manhattan Project that developed them. However, Walker, a documentary filmmaker for the BBC, breathes new life into this story by narrowing the focus to the brief weeks between the first successful test detonation and the bombing of Hiroshima. This approach lends a rapid pace and cinematic air to the narrative, which is further enhanced by the use of dialog. Walker also forgoes concentrating on only the most famous actors in this drama, such as President Truman, instead examining the roles and thoughts of the secretary of war, several of the project technicians, the pilots and crews, and a multitude of the citizens of Hiroshima. Set against the backdrop of the Potsdam Conference and the final days of war, Walker's narrative is consistently interesting while also correcting many of the myths long surrounding those horrible days of August that signaled the beginning of a new era. Highly recommended.-Brian DeLuca, Avon Lake P.L., OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
"Dramatic ... an important page-turner ... admirably evenhanded and smoothly written." -- Entertainment Weekly (Grade: A-)"A meticulous, emotionally devastating portrait of both sides ... [Walker] creates an arresting feeling of suspense." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Like John Hersey's HIROSHIMA, SHOCKWAVE brings to life one of history's most profound events. Don't miss it." -- Arizona Republic"Electrifying . . .The tension and concentration of Walker's thriller-like prose elicits a visceral response." -- Chicago Tribune "Gripping...takes us back to 1945, allowing readers to appreciate the spectacular scientific effort that created this tool of doom." -- Raleigh News & Observer"Shockwave is a stunning book, among the most immediate and thrilling works of history I have ever read." -- Irish Times"Uniquely readable, immediate, and human . . . an exceptionally taut and revealing chronicle." -- Booklist (starred review)"Walker takes readers on a roller-coaster ride ... invite[s] comparison with John Hersey's still-classic Hiroshima." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Superb. . . . Walker writes with a sense of urgency and high drama . . . engrossing [and] saddening." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"Highly recommended ... [Walker] lends a rapid pace and cinematic air to the narrative." -- Library Journal
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