Let Your Voice Be Heard!

St. Johns Bookstore presents a reading of A Dimly Burning Wick by Dr. Pamela Vergun, co-author. She will be reading from her book and talking about her friend's experiences after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as well as its implications in today's world.
Tickets are only $5, which includes a $3 donation to the work of Physicians for Social Responsibility and refreshments. All those holding tickets will receive a $2 discount that evening for purchasing a copy of A Dimly Burning Wick. Dr. Vergun will be available after her talk to sign books.

'A Dimly Burning Wick' was taken from an exceptional diary begun in Hiroshima within a day of the atomic bombing. The diary was kept by Japanese author Sadako Okuda when she was 30 years old during her search for her niece and nephew in the days immediately following the devastation. She is now 94.

The book tells the stories of the children the author encountered. She tenderly describes the wounded children who -- even in their final hours -- gently cared for their siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends.

An exceptional feature of this work is that the experience of children is the heart of 'A Dimly Burning Wick' -- separating this work from all others.

Throughout the book, the reader ponders: How is it that in the midst of one of the most horrific wartime events in history, an ordinary person can document for the world the selfless compassion of its youngest victims?

This book intimately draws the reader into the events following the bombing. Through the eloquent foreword authored by Catherine Thomasson, former President of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and through supporting chapters by scholars such as UC Berkeley Historian Ronald Takaki, the book gives the overarching historical context and continuing relevance of this event. The concluding chapter shows how the reader can use this event to better understand how social psychological forces -- forces such as conformity and prejudice – affect us all, discussing the relevance of Hiroshima to today's post 9/11 world.