Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War

by James M. Scott

From the acclaimed Pacific War historian, the harrowing story of America’s bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the dramatic struggle to end World War II.


Over three days in August 1945, a nation once morally opposed to the bombing of civilians killed 120,000 men, women, and children; doomed tens of thousands more to agonizing death in the weeks and months ahead; and annihilated two Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Empire of Ashes explores the final brutal months of the war in the Pacific, featuring the voices of never-before-heard victims of the atomic bombs. Through interviews with survivors and accounts gleaned from Japanese sources, New York Times best-selling author James M. Scott combines the attacks’ heart-wrenching details with their causes and consequences, from debates within the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, Oakridge, and Hanford to the fallout that would alter decades of life in Japan. From “an exceptional writer with a keen eye for dazzling detail and gripping, suspenseful storytelling” (Henry Richard Maar III, Journal of Military History), Empire of Ashes illuminates the moral dilemma at the center of America’s decision to inflict total war upon Japan with startling immediacy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Asia, Military History, Military Fiction

514 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United)]

I have a weird hesitation before I start James M. Scott's books. There are thicker books while there are others which are going to be more emotionally fraught. It's not either of those things, but rather that I know his books end up so immersive that I need to be in the right headspace to fully enjoy them. I don't want to be distracted or rushed. I know I am going to love them, but I want to be able to experience them fully. This is especially true for Empire of Ashes as it is (what I assume to be) Scott's last book on the Pacific Theater of World War II. I've been on this ride since his Rampage, and I wanted him to stick the landing. As always, any concerns or hesitations I had were not well-founded.

Even people who don't read World War II literature should be somewhat aware of the setup. FDR has died, Truman is taking over, and Hirohito is the last of the Axis powers. The U.S. is about ready to invade the Japanese Home Islands and a bloodletting never before seen is about to commence. Then, an alternative emerges after hiding in the shadows. Well, perhaps I should say two alternatives: Fat Man and Little Boy.

Yes, everyone had to read everything above in school ad nauseam. I wouldn't recommend anything to you that didn't bring something new to the table. Scott is all about the humans at the center of the drama. Truman gets the most attention, but Hirohito is put into focus as well. Most importantly, Scott illustrates just how horribly dysfunctional Japan's government was at the end of the war (Side note: The perfect complement to Scott's book is Evan Thomas' Road to Surrender which gets into the minute details of Japan's hopelessly disordered decision making). Scott has a lot of ground to cover, but by being character-driven, he doesn't need the nitty gritty of every decision. You don't have to spend dozens of pages on Truman's decision to drop the bomb when you've already thoroughly explained who this man was and how he thought about everything.

When Scott does step away from the characters, his visceral writing gets to shine through. His description of what happened when the bombs were dropped will not soon to be out of my mind. As for whether dropping the bombs was the right thing to do, well I firmly believe no book will ever be able to convince everyone one way or another. Instead, we get great books like this one.

(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by W.W. Norton.)

[Steve Eubanks]

The challenges in narrative nonfiction are you’re either telling a well-known story, which makes it tough to keep the reader engaged, or you’re telling a story that isn’t known at all, which makes it difficult to capture the reader early. As a writer, climbing those hills requires a deft combination of skill and talent. If you bog the reader down with details when he already knows the ending, you risk having him skim and drift, turning pages while half-listening to Ella Langley in the background. If you’re introducing the reader to new characters and a drama he doesn’t know, you better keep it moving and make it a page-turner. Otherwise, the reader opens Wikipedia and closes your book.

In his three books on the Secord World War in the Pacific, James Scott answered the call on both of those tasks with the kind of discipline and talent that made it seem effortless. His latest, EMPIRE OF ASHES: TRUMAN, HIROHITO, AND THE DESCENT INTO TOTAL WAR, is one of the most riveting accounts of the final months of the War ever written, which is amazing given the hundreds of books and films covering every jot and tiddle of that time period. Scott does this by achieving the ultimate goal for every author: his pacing, plot, detail, and character development make you forget you’re reading. Within a few pages you’re so engrossed in a story you have known your entire life that you can’t put it down and the world around you goes quiet.

Relying on so many sources that his notes and bibliography encompass 82 pages, Scott weaves in enough biographical and sociological detail to put you in the minds of men like General Curtis LeMay, General Leslie Groves, President Harry Truman, as well as Geneal Tojo, Emperor Hirohito, and Defense Minister Anami.

Since there are no plots to spoil, the book opens in Warm Springs, Georgia where Franklin Roosevelt sat for a portrait in the quaint quarters known as the Little White House. As an aside, it was Roosevelt’s uncle Teddy who first called the Executive Mansion in Washington the White House, and Franklin was the first to extend that title to an off-site location. In the sitting room where a fussy assistant and artist waited on the President, Roosevelt didn’t seem himself. A couple of minutes into the session, he put his hand to his head and complained of not feeling well. Within minutes he was unconscious and died soon after.

Truman was everything Roosevelt wasn’t – hardscrabble, direct, unworldly, and poor, the kind of guy who preferred cold cuts to caviar and who expected you to get right to the point in every conversation. How that sudden personality change effected the culture in Washington and the world is a big part of Scott’s book.

Also, Scott captures the disconnect – which continues to this day – between Eastern and Western values, traditions, philosophies, and priorities. For example, right now, in 2026 with the world smaller and more connected than ever, trying to explain “face” to the average Missourian is like asking him to, well, build an atomic bomb. That cultural chasm played a huge role in the debates and decisions that lead to Little Boy being dropped on Hiroshima. And for those armchair generals who still can’t believe the U.S. did such a thing, keep in mind that even after LeMay’s firebombing left Japan on the brink of starvation, Anami had amassed almost 900,000 troops to repel the expected U.S. invasion, and citizens were being ordered to craft spears out of bamboo to fight to the last man, woman, and child. Even after the second bomb hit Nagasaki, Anami wanted to keep fighting. There was even a brief coup attempt at the Royal Palace in Tokyo by pro-war advocates.

Scott covers all this and much more with an elegant prose that moves like the most compelling epic you’ve ever seen. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Yes, you know the ending – you even know the biographies of most of the characters – but EMPIRE OF ASHES is still a must-read for all the right reasons.

[Douglas Biggs]

Advance Reader Copy

This was really well written history, not exactly as prosaic as Eric Larson, but much more so than a history textbook. The quotes all feel like part of a natural conversation and even the scientific explanations do not overwhelm the reader.

As far as the content, so much of it seems like a tragedy that the Japanese could have avoided. What I did not know was that after the 2nd bomb was dropped, there was an attempted coup by Japanese officers to continue the war and keep fighting. If you only have a cursory knowledge of the end of World War II, this book does a great job of putting everything into context, including all of the debate about whether or not the US should have used the bomb.

[Jim S]

What a fascinating book, when I started I wanted to get back to it after any break. This is the story of the time of the atomic bomb from the perspective of the Americans and the Japanese government view of negations prior to and after dropping the bomb. I was amazed by the intransigent posture of the Japanese military to surrender after the 2 bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . The discussion about the invasion of Japan and expected horrific casualties was sobering and alarming had that happened. This book is a stunning story for anyone interested in WWII and decision making at the highest level. To imagine the stress and tension on President Truman must have been barely tolerable. I highly recommend this book.

[Scott]

A very good book! The book is well written and researched and I highly recommend it.

[Eli Schumacher]

Got to chapter 10 before I tapped out on this one. Those first 9 chapters are essentially a recap of David McCullough’s “Truman” and Richard Rhodes’ “The Making of the Atomic Bomb.” These chapters exhausted me by the time I finally made it to the Hirohito chapters. May come back to this one but wasn’t really impressed by the writing or the history here.

[Bookreporter.com Biography & Memoir]

By April 1945, the Second World War wasn’t over, but the tide had shifted in favor of the Allies in both Europe and the Pacific. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt sat for his portrait in Warm Springs, Georgia, the fate of the world remained on his mind. He had guided the country through an economic depression and three years of war. But on April 12, 1945, his body could no longer bear the strain, and he slipped away from the world.

When Vice President Harry S. Truman received an urgent summons to the White House, the former haberdasher turned Senator from Missouri assumed the role of Commander in Chief and 33rd President of the United States. He needed to quickly acquaint himself with the ongoing military campaigns being waged in Europe and Asia. More importantly, Secretary of War Henry Stimson had to inform him about an extensive project that was secretive but potentially crucial to winning the war.

In Japan, Hirohito was the emperor of a once mighty empire that now faced calamity and ruin as the country’s military might had been checked by American and Allied forces since mid-1942. While Hirohito was the titular head of the military, much of the decision-making before and during the war was done by his cabinet --- men such as his one-time Prime Minister, Hideki Tojo.

Despite the strength and ferocity of its attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japan was already stretching its resources to the breaking point. By 1945, the population was starving as a result of overseas food supplies being blocked by Allied ships, along with poor harvest output. In addition, cities like Tokyo were being subjected to US bombing campaigns that turned them into ashes. As Truman was being briefed about the Manhattan Project, Japan’s ministers mulled over their dwindling options.

While the surrender of the German forces in May 1945 brought down the curtain on the European side of the war, Truman knew that there were still issues to contend with. One of his first decisions in the wake of Germany’s defeat was that he would only accept a Japanese surrender if it was unconditional. He also had growing concerns over the Soviet Union and its plans for Europe in the years ahead.

A conference was set for the early summer in Potsdam, Germany, where Truman could discuss postwar plans for Europe and how to defeat Japan alongside British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Josef Stalin. As he made his way to war-scarred Germany, he was hoping for an ace up his sleeve that could conceivably end the war in the Pacific. In July 1945, the men gathered at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and impatiently waited to fulfill the President’s desires.

EMPIRE OF ASHES is a well-rounded historical narrative encompassing the final but critical months of World War II. It showcases two leaders on opposing sides of the world: a Chief Executive still getting his feet wet and a beloved Japanese sovereign. Scott impressively builds his story with the background of Truman, a man who pulled himself up by his bootstraps throughout much of his life and was chosen as FDR’s running mate in 1944. He shows Truman to be a man who overcame adversity and would do so again as President, faced with a steep learning curve as a global leader during wartime. Whereas Truman had big shoes to fill, Hirohito listened to a discordant chorus of advisers who gave him little guidance in bringing the war to a merciful resolution.

Scott’s work is of an endlessly compelling nature, whether it be the maneuvering of the military and scientists to perfect a weapon capable of achieving victory or the foreshadowing of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. This immensely significant book is suffused with drama from its inception to its brilliant conclusion.

Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro

[Marc]

When President Franklin Roosevelt died suddenly on April 12, 1945, Vice President Harry Truman was suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the leader of the United States. Little did he know that a secret project was nearing completion, a project which would define his Presidency and his legacy. This project, known as the Manhattan Project, was the ultra-secret project carried out at three different sites in the United States to manufacture an atomic bomb.

Beginning with President Roosevelt's last few days, author Scott has written another excellent book, this time recounting the development of the atomic bomb and the momentous decision to ultimately use it against Japan, followed by the tense following days as Japan wavered on surrender. The book starts with Truman becoming President and his crash education in what his new job entailed, from dealing with the war with Japan, meeting foreign leaders and deciding the future of Europe, to deciding to use the atomic bombs in the hopes they'd end the war. Along the way the reader is given a front row seat in the Oval Office as Truman juggles one hot potato after another. There is also is a view into what was going on with his counterpart in Japan: Emperor Hirohito. While slowly watching his country being burned to the ground and his people starved, Hirohito chooses not to interfere with the running of the war, instead relying on others to come up with ways to win the war. An impending invasion by American forces captures the focus of the Japanese military, with plans to wage a war of attrition being their primary answer. Whether or not this was a realistic solution is not the focus of the book, but concerns about the cost of such an invasion play prominently in Truman's decision to ultimately use the atomic bombs.

The two missions in which the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are covered in really good detail, and provide a stark contrast in their execution. The mission to Hiroshima went virtually by the book and was executed flawlessly, while the mission to Nagasaki was beset with difficulties before it even left the ground. Things didn't get better once they took to the air, but they were ultimately able to get the job done. The aftermath of the two bombings as experienced by witnesses and victims on the ground is recounted in very graphic detail and leads to the final stretch run leading up to Japan's surrender. There are lots of moving pieces in the Japanese hierarchy, all trying to win support for either ending or continuing the war, and this leads to a bitter struggle between doing one's duty to the Emperor or following the Samurai code and fighting to the end.

Since I've never read much on the Manhattan Project, the book was a great way to find out more about one of the greatest secret projects in American history. While the use of the bombs is viewed by many in our modern times as an atrocity and/or war crime, there were objections and concerns back in 1945 as well. The author does a great job of presenting much of the back and forth discussions and protests over using the bombs, but he ultimately leaves it up to the reader to make their own decision about the morality of using the bombs.

Starting with his book on the famed Doolittle Raid on Japan and followed by a book on the firebombing of Japan by American planes, this book completes author Scott's trilogy on the bombing of Japan during World War II, and it's a fitting conclusion. I highly recommend this book along with it's two preceding volumes.

Many thanks to W.W. Norton & Company, along with NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[William Harris]

I recently had the opportunity to read the upcoming "Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent Into Total War," by James M. Scott, being published by W.W. Norton & Company. I am working from an ARC which they have graciously provided me with for review purposes. Let me first observe that the period of time covered by the book is roughly centered on the days between the death of FDR and the surrender of Imperial Japan in the Pacific theater of war. This is not to say that the author works without reference to the overall context of those events; where necessary, he carefully covers events that predate F.D.R.'s death and the Japanese surrender but which are germane to his thematic concerns, aptly set forth in his subtitle. His principle concern is with the development of a framework within which the operational deployment of atomic weapons could become the official policy of the United States of America. His writing is character driven and often illustrated by illuminating anecdotes which serve to place the principal actors in the narrative in sharp relief. For the reader who has immersed him or herself in the existing historiography of this period, there will be little here that adds to what we already know, but for the reader who may not have looked upon these dramatic events and their context in any sort of depth, this is likely to be quite rewarding. I would recommend it for all general collections as a good starting point for an understanding of the controversies swirling around the use of the nuclear bomb and the potential options and consequences associated with it. The writing is good, and because of its human focus, it is useful as a tool to try to bring existential issues into relief against the background of a world war and the struggle to bring it to a conclusion.

[Gavin Mattiace]

James Scott has produced a very personal telling of the end of the war in the Pacific. His focus on the character and personality of President Truman and Emperor Hirohito puts on full display the magnitude of the decisions being made, and the respect that each of the major players had for the consequences of their actions. The conflict between the Emperor and the military leadership of Japan is brought into stark contrast with the reality that Japan faced annihilation as a society in the summer of 1945. Meanwhile, the scientists working with the Manhattan Project and the military leaders facilitating it and preparing for its eventual culmination at Hiroshima and Nagasaki are presented alongside their honest opinions as to what the correct action with such a weapon should be.

Overall, a fantastic read and a powerful culmination of what has fast become one of the best series on the Second World War. This book reads as a natural conclusion to the work conducted in Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor and Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo, and the Road to the Atomic Bomb. A must-add to any true student of history, leadership, or warfare.

[Sean Keating]

Excellent written book. Adds a lot to the World War II history. As a person who is read many World War II history books this added some additional new information.
The Japanese military controlled Japanese society rationing everything. Japan needed to import every raw material and food.
The book explains the development of the atomic bomb, including the three separate Seitz, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, New Mexico and Hanford engineering works in Washington. It also details all of the involved scientist.
Importantly, there was significant committees developed throughout the government to decide on how to use this new weapon. There was the advisory committee on uranium which advised the White House, target committee intern committee.
There was significant debate on the morality of the weapon.
The Potsdam declaration was a warning to Japan before the bomb was dropped. The goal of this proclamation was to confirm the unconditional surrender required.
Detailed explanation of the flight and bombing of Hiroshima with the outcome as well as the bombing of Nagasaki. Interesting the second bomb was planned to be dropped on Kokura, but due to weather during the flight it had to be changed to Nagasaki.
After the bombing, there was quite a bit of difficulty in convincing all of the military leaders and political leaders to accept the surrender proposal. It led to an attempted military coupe, which eventually failed.

[Books Data]

Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War by James M. Scott examines the final, devastating months of World War II in the Pacific and the decisions that led to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Scott follows two central figures, U.S. President Harry Truman and Japan’s Emperor Hirohito, as they faced enormous pressure to bring the war to an end. He explains the political and military debates in Washington and Tokyo, showing how American leaders weighed the terrible consequences of using atomic weapons against the possibility of an even bloodier invasion of Japan. At the same time, Japanese military leaders remained determined to continue fighting, even as American bombing campaigns destroyed cities and caused immense civilian suffering. The book also takes readers inside the development of the atomic bomb and gives particular attention to the ordinary Japanese people who experienced its horrifying effects. Through survivor accounts, Japanese sources, and American records, Scott connects the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the larger story of total war, Japanese resistance, and the eventual surrender. Rather than presenting the bombings as a simple military decision, the book explores the moral uncertainty surrounding them and asks what nations are willing to sacrifice in order to achieve victory.

[Michael Quinn]

ARC from NetGalley

A very well written and absorbing general account of the final days of the Pacific War and the atomic bombings of Japan. There has certainly already been plenty published on this topic, but Scott delivers a very readable synthesis of multiple perspectives. He jumps back and forth smoothly between Truman's decision making, the effort involved in the creation of the atomic bomb, the Japanese government, and individuals waging and suffering the war. There are better books about individual aspects of this story -- The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes is one of my all time favorite books, for example -- but Scott does a great job covering nearly all the angles in satisfying detail. I would have liked a little bit more engagement with historiography and moral debates, particularly with something as fraught as nuclear war, but I understand that's never going to be the focus of what's ultimately a popular history book.

One small complaint: the subtitle is bad. There was no "descent into total war" in 1945. We were deep into total war well before then.

[D D]

An extremely detailed in-depth narrative history of the last months of WWII. For the most part the author is very accurate and informative. I only found two errors:
1. Woodrow Wilson, like all US presidents, could not declare war. The author writes that Wilson declared war on 2 April 1917, when in reality he asked for Congress (which has the power) to declare war, which Congress did on 6 April 1917. (26)
2. France did not fall to Germany until June 1941, but the author strongly implies they had fallen by 1 January 1941. (37)
Scott also belittles the argument that Truman bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to intimidate the USSR, calling it “scurrilous.” But historians argue that while it wasn’t the main or only reason for the bombing, it likely influenced Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb. Scott though does well in his position that Truman’s decision was made primarily with the goal of saving lives: American, Asian, and Japanese.
Granted, these are minor errors and on a scale of 1-10 I’d award this book 9/10.

[Philip Kuhn]

A really good book on the end of the Pacific War, I learned a few things and enjoyed it.
Good first part of the book on FDR and how sick he really was. Good treatment of the life and rise to power of Truman. I liked the coverage of the Manhattan Project and General Groves.

Scott did a great job with the horror of the aftermath of the atomic bomb attacks. It was really horrible stuff and he didn't sugar coat it for you, like people wandering around in a daze with their skin burned off. It needed to be said.
Also a good account of the Japanese officers attempted coup that would have been incredibly tragic had it succeeded and the war continued.
Good book
Philip Kuhn

[Luke Herbert]

Usually, Total War embraces a journey along historical highways and the atomic destination that ended World War II and ushered in the nuclear era. * How Scott balances historical leanings with the outcomes, but without resorting to a three-volume history, ensures Total War is recommended reading.

My review covering Scott's Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War is found below.

https://thelensofhistory.substack.com...

[Kevin Verner]

Fantastic analysis of the issues facing Truman as the US neared the end of the Pacific War. Very well-researched and a very interesting read. Thought-provoking exploration of the 'ethical' issues raised by atomic weapons and their use. I had the pleasure of seeing the author speak in Charleston - I'll be catching up on his earlier works.

[Joy Smith]

A fascinating and detailed look at a complicated period of history. I liked how the book brings Truman and Hirohito into the wider story of how the war unfolded. There’s a lot of history here, but the writing keeps it interesting and gives plenty to think about. A strong read for anyone interested in World War II.

[Emmanuel]

A powerful and difficult read, especially in the way it brings the human cost of the bombings into focus. I appreciated the combination of survivor accounts, historical context, and the decisions leading up to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It made the final months of the war feel much more personal and real.

[Alan Olson]

Good book on the events leading up to the end of the war in the Pacific. From the death of FDR and Truman becoming president, the making of the atomic bomb, the bombing of Japan, and including the point of view of Japan’s senior leaders as well as what happened when the atomic bombs were dropped, Empire of Ashes is a very detailed account and one worth reading.

[Alfle Harriet]

A fascinating and deeply researched look at the final months of World War II. I especially liked how it goes beyond the familiar Hiroshima and Nagasaki story and explores the decisions, debates, and human cost behind them. It’s detailed, but still very engaging.

[Ciricola]

A great book covering Truman’s life and career; and the details surrounding the development and use of the fission bombs that ended WW II. Most of the details about the conduct of the Japanese military, government and citizenry were new to me.

[Mer]

https://hardcover.app/books/empire-of...

[Philly]

If you want to read one book on this subject. This is it.

[Joey]

If you are a history buff or just want a deeply moving, honest look at one of the darkest chapters in human history, this is an absolute must read.

[Loraine Johnson]

If you enjoy military history, this is worth reading. The research is impressive, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the end of the war.

[Bill]

A very good recounting of WW2's end.

[NonFiction 24/7]

Good book, what happened to people after the bombing was a hard to read.

[Mandi Spencer]

Content Advisory: Some difficult sections to read with graphic descriptions of the horrors of war.

[Julian Pritchard]

Pretty good. It’s not really as scholarly as Gary J. Bass or John Dower but it has some interesting information.