Last week I was talking about fireworks in the street, this week I’m captivated by an explosion that changed the world.

I picked up the book Hiroshima at a garage sale over the weekend. It is a short book, so I cruised right through it this week. Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Hersey traveled to Japan while the ashes of Hiroshima were still warm. He interviewed survivors of the world’s first atomic bombing.

The book is a series of personal accounts of city residents, describing their lives before, during and after the bombing. This is the most compelling piece of literature that I have read in recent years. I was driven to tears a couple of times during the book. It was just such a horrible tragedy, with so much pain, suffering and loss.

I enjoy reading about history, so I’ve got some historical perspective on what led to the development and use of the bomb. And I’m positive that my grandfather, who lived through the war, would balk at my criticism of the use of nuclear weapons to end WWII. But I know that Truman struggled with the decision, rightfully so. This was a man-made destructive force on a scale that humanity had never seen. In an instant, this weapon would kill thousands. Of course, in the immediate aftermath, roughly 100,000 people were killed by the bombing.

I’m saddened that our post-war freedom was won by the use of such violence against non-combatants.

Last night Corey and I went to Filmstreams and watched a documentary called Sputnik Mania. It was about the race to dominate space between the Soviets and the United States. In the days following its launch, Sputnik was celebrated by Americans as a groundbreaking human accomplishment. But, according to the film, politicians began to fan the flames of nationalist pride and fear in order to drive the public into a frenzy.

Americans began to worry that the Soviets could now fly satellites over American cities and drop nuclear weapons at will. There was a public demand that the US respond with satellite launches and nuclear tests. The film documents the nuclear and space saber-rattling that took place in the year after Sputnik. The film was a disturbing look at nationalism and political manipulations.

The bright spot in the film was the perspective of President Eisenhower. The former general had a proven perspective on war and violence. He advocated for prudence and peace. He made back-room and public appeals for calm and patience. I need to learn more about the man and the controversy of his beliefs.

Nuclear power is being debated as a solution to global warming, it is important to maintain perspective on the origin and capability of this technology.