This is a series of stories regarding some of those impacted by the March 2011 triple devastation in Japan. First the 9.0 earth quake, following by a 35-30 ft. tsunami, which then led to the devastation of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The author is a journalist who interviewed those who survived and lost family members, fishermen whose livelyhood was wiped out, never to be restored. In addition, the author focused on the spirituality of the nation and interviewed monks and those who had the gift of helping "ghosts" pass on to the new life.

There were so many stories of devastation that after reading more and more tales, it grew to be depressing. Yet, how can a nation help but be depressed when so much occurred. There are many stories of those still seeking their loved ones whose bodies were smashed against the mountain or any structure that happened to be in the way.

I was very bothered by the fact that those in charge of the nuclear power plant, did the same thing that happened at Chernobly in the Ukraine -- they lied and covered up the fact that there were many problems with the plant before the tsunami hit, including the fact that the ruptured pipes were reported two years before as being vastly unstable. It was all too easy for authorities to blame the earthquake and tsunami for all of the problems. When the reactor core overheated, nuclear debrie floated out to ocean, and also contaminated many. Seven years later and still it is difficult to know how many will develop cancer as a result.

There were 54 nuclear power plants in Japan at the time of the disaster. It is difficult to understand that a country experiencing daily earthquakes decided to build power plants, some, such as the Fukushima Daiichi plant, were close to epicenters. ( )

Devastation on the scale that was brought about by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan can be a difficult to grasp. Ehrlich approach is to tell stories about individuals who were affected. Many of the stories are moving and through them it is possible to being to imagine what it would be like to experience such an event. Unfortunately, I found myself often wondering what Ehrlich was doing there besides driving around high radiation areas which distracted me from the real story of the book. I did like that the book ended on a note of hope. ( )

There are some amazing stories in this book. Gretel Ehrlich is a powerful writer. I'm very grateful that she turned her talents to this tragedy. She gives us a very good overview through the stories of individuals and families up and down the effected coast. ( )

This book was extremely good about the Japan Tsunami and how the people faced the following year. There were stories about family members surviving and not surviving, about home displacement and how they dealt with it, about their religious beliefs and shines, the radiation they had to deal with, the effect on vegetation and many other aspects of the wave. A Great Read.