Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb

Author: Jonathan Fetter-Vorm
Genre: graphical, non fiction, history

        After thoroughly enjoying Logicomix, I delved into a second one- Trinity. I have always found the second world war period very interesting and I do not miss any opportunity to read books describing that period.

       The book chronicles the many events and the main characters involved in the Manhattan Project. Apart from the  terrifying events that marked its success, the project is remarkable in itself for the sheer amount of money and personnel involved in its execution, which included both the military and the scientific community. In addition, a project of such mammoth proportions was kept in absolute secrecy. In spite of all these hurdles, the bomb was successfully completed in a very short period of time. However, few people then realised how this would change the world forever.

       Describing all the complicated events in the form a graphical novel is a difficult task but Fetter-Vorm does a really good job of it. Without going into too many details, he has described the numerous important events and people. He has also explained in simple terms, the workings of an atomic bomb and also its terrifying consequences. The illustrations are really beautiful. The detonation of the bomb has been recorded in exquisite detail. Illustrations depicting the suffering of Japanese civilians after the bombing bring home the horrors, leaving one quite unsettled.

     Overall, I found the book, both enlightening and entertaining. Anyone interested in reading non fiction graphical books can definitely give it a try!