All lovers of history know 1945 was a turning point in the 20th Century. Germany and Japan were defeated, FDR died, Truman authorized the use of the atom bomb, the seeds of the Cold War were planted, etc etc.

But few have captured the importance of the year quite like Ian Buruma has done in Year Zero: A History of 1945. Most histories of 1945 cover the military exploits, many cover the political dimensions, but few cover all the challenges that accompanied the end of the most deadly war in history.

There were massive refugee problems, shortages of food and other necessities, revenge killings and epidemic levels of rape in occupied lands, injustices in pursuing high visibility war criminals, and more injustices ignoring some of the biggest offenders. There was great optimism (the United Nations being formed was an act of pure optimism) and there was great pessimism. Some people wanted to life to get back to normal; others could not imagine life ever being the same.

In short, it was a year like none other.  After nearly ten years of constant world wide war, with as many as 60 million people killed, the world was transformed, exhausted, and probably in a state of shock. The things that happened in 1945 still profoundly impact us today, and you’ll be even more aware of how true this is after reading this book.

Buruma captures the whole story well. If you love history, as I do, you will enjoy this book immensely.