War's End is a first-hand account by Major General Charles W. Sweeney, the pilot who commanded the atomic bombing mission on Nagasaki and the only military officer to have participated in both atomic
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War's End is a first-hand account by Major General Charles W. Sweeney, the pilot who commanded the atomic bombing mission on Nagasaki and the only military officer to have participated in both atomic missions during World War II. The book details the planning, training, and execution of these historic missions.
Summary
War's End: An Eyewitness Account of America's Last Atomic Mission, co-authored with James A. Antonucci and Marion K. Antonucci, provides a unique, insider's perspective on the events leading to the end of the war in the Pacific. The book was written to counter historical revisionism and explain the context and decision-making process behind the use of the bombs.
Key aspects covered in the book include:
- Mission Details: Sweeney recounts the specific circumstances of the Nagasaki mission aboard the B-29 bomber Bock's Car, including technical setbacks, difficult weather conditions, and the urgent need to end the war to prevent a costly land invasion of Japan.
- Personal Experiences: The narrative weaves in personal anecdotes about daily life for the airmen, the intense secrecy surrounding the project, and the immense pressure of their mission.
- Defense of the Bombings: The author defends the decision to use the atomic weapons, arguing it was a necessary measure that ultimately saved lives by forcing Japan's swift surrender, thereby avoiding an invasion that would have resulted in hundreds of thousands of additional casualties on both sides.
Reviews
Reviewers generally praise the book for its historical value and compelling, straightforward narrative.
- Praise: Many readers and sources, such as a review from Kirkus Reviews, find the story "compelling" and an "invaluable" resource for understanding the events from a primary source's perspective. Reviewers appreciate the "straight talk" and lack of "revisionist garbage" that sometimes clouds the topic, focusing instead on the facts as experienced by those involved.
- Criticisms/Perspectives: While generally well-regarded as a fascinating and informative read, the book presents a specific viewpoint that may not align with all political or historical interpretations of the bombings. The book is best read as a personal account rather than a neutral historical analysis of all aspects of the conflict.
Publication Information
- Authors: Major General Charles W. Sweeney with James A. Antonucci and Marion K. Antonucci.
- Original Publication Date: The first hardcover edition was published in 1997 by Avon Books.
- Publisher: Various editions have been published, notably by Avon Books and Skyhorse.
- Formats: The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
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