Home › Memoirs › Hiroshima, 8:15

New memoir · August 4, 2026

Kiyoshi Tanimoto Memoir: Hiroshima, 8:15, What the Book Covers

Hiroshima, 8:15 is an eyewitness account of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister who wrote it soon afterwards. Unpublished for decades, it was rediscovered in 2022 among John Hersey’s papers and follows his search for his family and his relief work among survivors.

Book guide, not a review · Updated October 2026

At a glance
  • Book: Hiroshima, 8:15: The Lost Memoir
  • Author: Kiyoshi Tanimoto
  • Published: August 4, 2026, Modern Library (Penguin Random House)
  • Themes: nuclear war, survival, bearing witness

What is Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s new book?

Hiroshima, 8:15 is an eyewitness account of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister who wrote it soon afterwards. Unpublished for decades, it was rediscovered in 2022 among John Hersey’s papers and follows his search for his family and his relief work among survivors.

About Kiyoshi Tanimoto

Kiyoshi Tanimoto was a Methodist minister in Hiroshima who survived the atomic bombing and was one of the six survivors profiled in John Hersey’s 1946 book Hiroshima.

What the book covers

  • The morning of the bombing on August 6, 1945
  • His search for his wife and infant daughter
  • Helping survivors find food, shelter and medical care
  • Identifying and burying the dead
  • His connection to John Hersey’s Hiroshima

Inspired to tell your own story? You don’t need to be famous to write a memoir. Many of the best known memoirs are written with a professional collaborator. Find out which kind of writer fits your story and budget in five quick questions.

Find my memoir writer

Who it’s for

Readers of history and of John Hersey’s Hiroshima, and anyone interested in first-hand accounts of the Second World War.

What it shows about writing a memoir

Tanimoto’s manuscript sat unpublished for decades, a reminder of how easily first-hand testimony can be lost. If someone in your family has a story to record, our free Memoir Interview Kit helps you capture it now.

Where to buy Hiroshima, 8:15

Want to capture a parent’s or grandparent’s story? Our free Memoir Interview Kit gives you the questions professional ghostwriters ask, so you can start recording memories this week.

Get the free interview kit

Frequently asked questions

What is Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s new book?

Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s new book is Hiroshima, 8:15, a memoir published by Modern Library (Penguin Random House), out August 4, 2026.

What is Hiroshima, 8:15 about?

Hiroshima, 8:15 is an eyewitness account of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Kiyoshi Tanimoto, a Methodist minister who wrote it soon afterwards. Unpublished for decades, it was rediscovered in 2022 among John Hersey’s papers and follows his search for his family and his relief work among survivors.

When was Hiroshima, 8:15 released?

Hiroshima, 8:15 by Kiyoshi Tanimoto was published by Modern Library (Penguin Random House) on August 4, 2026.

Who is Kiyoshi Tanimoto?

Kiyoshi Tanimoto was a Methodist minister in Hiroshima who survived the atomic bombing and was one of the six survivors profiled in John Hersey’s 1946 book Hiroshima.

Where can I buy Hiroshima, 8:15?

Hiroshima, 8:15 is available from major retailers including Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble and Audible, and from local bookstores.

Can I write a memoir even if I’m not famous?

Yes. Most memoirs are written by people who are not public figures, often for family or a small readership. Many people work with a memoir ghostwriter who interviews them and writes the book in their voice. Our Writer Match Quiz can help you find the right kind of writer.

This page describes the book using information from the publisher and press coverage. It is not a review, and My Book Written is not affiliated with the author or publisher.

Every life has a book in it

Get matched with a memoir writer who fits your story, budget and timeline. Five questions, no cost.

Start my memoir