This book tells the story of the decision to drop the atomic bomb from the perspectives of both Japanese and American key players. Kurzman interviewed hundreds of Japanese and Americans and used thousands of documents to portray the events. Biographical sketches and anecdotes dominate the text, with careful documentation of the psychological context. Emphasis is placed on the roles of Truman, Hirohito, Fuchs, Suzuki, Szilard, Groves, Anami, Leahy, and Oppenheimer. The book contains an extensive bibliography.