A B-movie actor is recruited to star in a top-secret project that could end World War II, but the fate of thousands rests on his performance. Syms Thorley, a struggling actor in the summer of 1945, finds his life irrevocably changed when the Navy enlists him for the Knickerbocker Project. His mission: to don a suit and embody Gorgantis, a monstrous iguana, in a simulated attack on a miniature Japan, designed to be the ultimate biological weapon. The success of this bizarre film could force Japanese surrender and save countless lives, but failure means unleashing genetically engineered destruction upon the world.

The premise of 'Shambling towards Hiroshima' sets up a darkly satirical exploration of war, media, and morality. The narrative's focus on a B-movie actor thrust into a critical military role suggests a commentary on the performative nature of conflict and the absurdity of using entertainment as a tool of war. The genre blend of historical fiction with science fiction elements points to a story that uses speculative elements to examine real-world events and their ethical dimensions. The potential for both profound success and catastrophic failure creates a tension that likely drives the plot towards a thought-provoking conclusion.