What do you think?
Rate this book
Here to Stay: Studies in Human Tenacity
The will to live is the connecting thread that holds together these dramatic true stories of human indomitability. The sum total has terrific impact. Hersey has covered a wide range of challenges--flood; WWII concentration camps; Hiroshima; escape from impending disaster; combat fatigue; mutilation & the return to normal life--these cover a few of the situations. The strength of the book is in the selection of material. These are ordinary people who didn't know their own strength. It's the situation that taps this hidden inner strength. Young people who read The Wall will surely find similar compassion, insight & skilled craftsmanship in this new book.--Kirkus (edited)
- GenresNonfictionHistory
349 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
3 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
John Hersey
115 books863 followersJohn Richard Hersey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer, earliest practiced the "new journalism," which fuses storytelling devices of the novel with nonfiction reportage. A 36-member panel under the aegis of journalism department of New York University adjudged account of Hersey of the aftermath of the atomic bomb, dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, as the finest piece of journalism of the 20th century.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2009
John Hersey not only wrote fiction, but wrote many excellent pieces of non-fiction also. In this collection of his non-fiction, including his most famous work, Hiroshima, he turns in pieces about human survival. He derives his title from that theme, that as individuals, and hence as a species, we are Here to Stay.
The pieces run the gamut, from an old lady in Connecticut surviving a flooding river, to John Kennedy leading his crew to survive after his PT Boat was destroyed in WWII, to a Jew surviving Auschwitz. But Hersey steers away from sensationalism, and that works perfectly for these pieces. He gives an almost journalistic rendition of the stories, letting the horror of the situation speak for itself, never embellishing it.
For example, in Hiroshima, he follows the eyewitness account of six people who survived the blast the killed 100,000 or more. As one man was trying to rescue others near a river, he grabbed their hands, and Hersey reports, the flesh just came off. He does not talk much more about it, except that the man had to take time to recover from the shock of seeing this. But the scene is that much more powerful for lack of embellishment. As I said, Hersey lets the actions of the events speak for themselves, and he portrays these actions splendidly.
I think his type of writing has faded a bit from popularity, but it is a clear and crisp and as well written as it ever was. It is really good writing. As good as writing gets.
Here to Stay is an excellent collection of his work. He makes some short notes before each piece, and before Hiroshima he admits that this piece may challenge the idea that we are here to stay. With our ability to wipe ourselves out, it seems to have given him pause in his idea that we can make it as a species. The piece would give us all pause.
An excellent book.
The pieces run the gamut, from an old lady in Connecticut surviving a flooding river, to John Kennedy leading his crew to survive after his PT Boat was destroyed in WWII, to a Jew surviving Auschwitz. But Hersey steers away from sensationalism, and that works perfectly for these pieces. He gives an almost journalistic rendition of the stories, letting the horror of the situation speak for itself, never embellishing it.
For example, in Hiroshima, he follows the eyewitness account of six people who survived the blast the killed 100,000 or more. As one man was trying to rescue others near a river, he grabbed their hands, and Hersey reports, the flesh just came off. He does not talk much more about it, except that the man had to take time to recover from the shock of seeing this. But the scene is that much more powerful for lack of embellishment. As I said, Hersey lets the actions of the events speak for themselves, and he portrays these actions splendidly.
I think his type of writing has faded a bit from popularity, but it is a clear and crisp and as well written as it ever was. It is really good writing. As good as writing gets.
Here to Stay is an excellent collection of his work. He makes some short notes before each piece, and before Hiroshima he admits that this piece may challenge the idea that we are here to stay. With our ability to wipe ourselves out, it seems to have given him pause in his idea that we can make it as a species. The piece would give us all pause.
An excellent book.
January 25, 2014
I read "A Bell for Adano" several years ago and remembered Mr. Hersey as a fine storyteller. I'd forgotten he was also a journalist during WW II. Happened to find this book unread on our crowded shelves whilst pillaging for reading material. Hersey starts this collection of journalistic tales with a story about a elderly woman, a burly young man, and a flood that takes out an entire town. Truly, it's the least heart-breaking of the true life tales in the book.
The stories about Auschwitz are harrowing and remind me of how each one of us is responsible for never allowing despots and mad men like Hitler to gain such unconscionable power over the lives of others again . . . how would it have gone if the German people had just said, "Hell No!!"? I believe we have a duty to overthrow corrupt leaders and I believe history backs my belief. Keep the tissues handy, 'cause you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by what your fellow man has endured at the hands of his fellow man . . .
The stories about Auschwitz are harrowing and remind me of how each one of us is responsible for never allowing despots and mad men like Hitler to gain such unconscionable power over the lives of others again . . . how would it have gone if the German people had just said, "Hell No!!"? I believe we have a duty to overthrow corrupt leaders and I believe history backs my belief. Keep the tissues handy, 'cause you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by what your fellow man has endured at the hands of his fellow man . . .
March 14, 2020
Not all of the stories in this collection are amazing, but the ones that are make you glad you were here to stay! Notable are two accounts of surviving in concentration camps, and the end story, which is about Hiroshima.
Hersey says about the collection, "For the most part the stories are of refusals to be destroyed by devilments devised by the foul side of the human mind."
Hiroshima, in particular, tells the story of a devilment devised by humans -- the atomic bomb. When I first read this story a few years ago, I thought it should be required reading for all high school students. After reading it again, I think it should be required reading for every human being on this planet. This horrific account of the people who were on the ground when the bomb was dropped will leave you filled with grief, but also astound you with humanity's ability to move on in the face of incredible tragedy.
"There are instances of survivals that were not at all noble, but rather mean and even squalid; of strength given from without, by partners, friends, families; of utter dregs of desperation; of that mysterious, sometimes almost comical force for life that we call zest; of a frightful selfishness that in certain competitive struggles is the margin of survival; of an altruism that also sometimes saves; and of interventions of luck, fate, chance, or a plan." - John Hersey
Hersey says about the collection, "For the most part the stories are of refusals to be destroyed by devilments devised by the foul side of the human mind."
Hiroshima, in particular, tells the story of a devilment devised by humans -- the atomic bomb. When I first read this story a few years ago, I thought it should be required reading for all high school students. After reading it again, I think it should be required reading for every human being on this planet. This horrific account of the people who were on the ground when the bomb was dropped will leave you filled with grief, but also astound you with humanity's ability to move on in the face of incredible tragedy.
"There are instances of survivals that were not at all noble, but rather mean and even squalid; of strength given from without, by partners, friends, families; of utter dregs of desperation; of that mysterious, sometimes almost comical force for life that we call zest; of a frightful selfishness that in certain competitive struggles is the margin of survival; of an altruism that also sometimes saves; and of interventions of luck, fate, chance, or a plan." - John Hersey
April 8, 2025
Great stories about survival under extreme conditions.
May 8, 2025
Very well written, enjoyed the first story bery much.
May 9, 2022
This is a fascinating collection of true life stories. While Hiroshima has the most compelling and detailed description in the book, and quite moving, the other stories are as rewarding and inspiring, particularly the first. This is a good collection with a message that hopefully most will recognize.
December 9, 2014
Inspiring, true stories of ordinary persons in harrowingly extraordinary circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews