Enola Gay cover art

Enola Gay

Mission to Hiroshima

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Enola Gay

By: Gordon Thomas, Max Morgan-Witts
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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About this listen

From the New York Times best-selling coauthors comes a "fascinating...unrivaled" history of the B-29 and its fateful mission to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (New York Times Book Review).

Painstakingly researched, the story behind the decision to send the Enola Gay to bomb Hiroshima is told through firsthand sources. From diplomatic moves behind the scenes to Japanese actions and the US Army Air Force's call to action, no detail is left untold.

Touching on the early days of the Manhattan Project and the first inkling of an atomic bomb, investigative journalist Gordon Thomas and his writing partner Max Morgan-Witts take WWII enthusiasts through the training of the crew of the Enola Gay and the challenges faced by pilot Paul Tibbets.

A must-listen audiobook that offers "minute-by-minute coverage of the critical periods" surrounding the mission, Enola Gay finally separates myth and reality from the planning of the flight to the moment over Hiroshima when the atomic age was born (Library Journal).

©1977 Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan-Witts (P)2020 Tantor Military Weapons & Warfare World War Air Force US Army US Air Force Royalty

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All stars
Most relevant  
On initial listening I found it a little hard to engage with the narrative. But given a little time it opened up a whole world of detail there I have mostly not heard elsewhere. The authors have collated reports and insights that most others have missed or simply dismissed, As unlikely as it seems (to a British Listener) it is not just an exercise in American chest thumping But a journey through the challenges, both in engineering and in morals. That both lead up to, and followed, this most world shattering delivery to Hiroshima. When finished I had to listen to it again. I would strongly recommend to anyone who is really interested in the world and the challenges it, and the people involved, faced during and immediately after that terrible event. I write this as I am about to listen through it for a third time.

A raw slice of history, not to be missed.

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One of the best books I’ve listened to - anyone with any interest in the subject will love this book.

Incredible listen, I couldn’t stop.

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The book gives us a lot of details and facts regarding the atomic bombs and the decisions and preparations until the drop. It feels though that there is too much derail at some point that it becomes tiring. The narrator doesn't help either. It does worth a listen, you will gear things that you probably haven't heard before.

Interesting and boring at the same time

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I was attracted by the title and I wasn't sure what to expect from this audiobook but I am glad that I decided to "invest" my time in it, as it is quite comprehensive and well written story about the people connected with the first nuclear bombs, made by Americans in 1945.

The nuke story

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I thought I knew the story, but this account was absolutely absorbing. Describing both sides in the period leading up to the bombing it shows how there are no easy answers when facing the horror of war.

Engrossing account of an extraordinary time

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Every politician in every country should listen to this and learn from it. Nuclear war will destroy the world.

A fascinating insight

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