On the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki comes this war-room account from inside the cabinets of the United States and Japan leading to Armageddon on August 6, 1945. Here are the strategy sessions, fierce debates, looming assassinations, and planned invasions that resulted in history's first use of nuclear weapons in combat, and the ensuing chaotic days as Japan struggled to respond to the reality of nuclear war. During the closing months of World War II, the leaders of the United States called for the 'unconditional surrender' of the Japanese Empire while developing history's deadliest weapon. Their enemy responded with a last-ditch plan which called for the suicidal resistance of every able-bodied man and woman. Within the Japanese Supreme Council at the Direction of War, Foreign Minister Shigenori Tåogåo risked assassination in his crusade to convince his dysfunctional government, dominated by militarist fanatics, to save his country from annihilation. Barrett takes you into the secret strategy sessions and fierce debates that lead to August 6, 1945, and the chaotic days that followed. -- adapted from jacket.

Tokyo burn job -- A third prime minister in less than a year -- A new president gets up to speed -- Planning for the invasion of Japan -- Ketsu-Go, "The Decisive Operation" -- Potsdam Declaration, a missed opportunity -- The final countdown begins -- Hiroshima -- A shift of power, the first imperial intervention -- The second imperial intervention -- A failed coup d'État and surrender -- Epilogue: Traditionalists and revisionists -- Map of Operation Downfall, the proposed invasion of Japan -- Acknowledgments -- Bibliography -- Notes -- Index -- About the author.