48 pages • 1 hour read
Chris Wallace, Mitch WeissCountdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss chronicles the 116 days between Harry Truman becoming president and the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The narrative shifts locations with increasing intensity, focusing on Truman, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Colonel Tibbets of the strike plane Enola Gay. They grapple with the mission's technical and ethical challenges leading up to the attacks. The narrative addresses the use of atomic bombs and the resultant devastation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss is widely praised for its compelling narrative and meticulous research on the final months of World War II. Readers appreciate its engaging, fast-paced storytelling and historical insights. Some critics, however, feel it lacks depth in character development. Overall, it's an informative and gripping read.
Who Should Read Countdown 1945?
Readers who enjoy Countdown 1945 by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss are likely fans of meticulously researched historical narratives and dramatic retellings of pivotal moments. Similar to Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, this book appeals to those fascinated by World War II and groundbreaking events that shaped modern history.