Product guide

Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima — Kindle Edition

Edition: Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima is Stephen Walker’s account of the weeks surrounding the 1945 bombing, tracing the story from the first successful atomic test through the attack and its aftermath. The Kindle listing describes a narrative told through the perspectives of pilots, scientists, civilians, and world leaders.

At a glance

Covers the three weeks before the Hiroshima bombing, beginning with the first successful test in New Mexico, then follows the attack and aftermath.
Presents the account through pilots, scientists, civilian victims, and world leaders.
The Kindle listing identifies the edition as illustrated and lists reading aids including Word Wise and X-Ray.

Price

$2.99Save 83%

Reference price: ~~$17.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Its defined three-week timeline gives readers a focused account of the events leading to the bombing and its immediate aftermath.
Multiple stated viewpoints offer context beyond the military operation alone.
Kindle reading features include Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise, X-Ray, and Page Flip.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Book details
Publisher	HarperCollins e-books
Publication date	March 17, 2009
Edition	Illustrated
Language	English
Print length	400 pages
File size	2.9 MB
ISBN-13	978-0061839894

Kindle features
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

What to know before buying

The subject includes the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and its devastating human consequences, which may be difficult reading for some buyers.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers seeking a focused history of the Hiroshima bombing and the days leading up to it.
Readers interested in accounts that include military, scientific, civilian, and political perspectives.

Less suited to

Readers looking for a broad survey of World War II beyond the Hiroshima bombing and its immediate context.
Readers seeking a light or fictional treatment of the subject.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.7 / 5 · 638 ratings

5 stars78%78%
4 stars18%18%
3 stars4%4%
2 stars0%0%
1 star0%0%

Aggregate ratings are strongly positive, with most ratings in the top two star categories and a smaller three-star share. That gives a favorable overall signal, but without written feedback it cannot show what readers valued or where the book may fall short. The listing's focused account and range of named perspectives may help readers decide whether its subject and scope suit them.

Frequently asked questions

What period does Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima cover?

The listing describes an account of the three weeks leading up to the bombing, beginning with the first successful test, and continuing through the bombing and its aftermath.

Whose perspectives does the book include?

The description names pilots, scientists, civilian victims, and world leaders.

What reading features are listed for this Kindle edition?

The listing specifies Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.