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Prompt and Utter Destruction

Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs against Japan, Third Edition

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Prompt and Utter Destruction

Written by: J. Samuel Walker
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

In this concise account of why America used atomic bombs against Japan in 1945, J. Samuel Walker analyzes the reasons behind President Truman's most controversial decision. Delineating what was known and not known by American leaders at the time, Walker evaluates the options available for ending the war with Japan. In this new edition, Walker incorporates a decade of new research - mostly from Japanese archives only recently made available - that provides fresh insight on the strategic considerations that led to dropping the bomb. From the debate about whether to invade or continue the conventional bombing of Japan to Tokyo's agonizing deliberations over surrender and the effects of both low- and high-level radiation exposure, Walker continues to shed light on one of the most earthshaking moments in history.

Rising above an often polemical debate, the third edition presents an accessible synthesis of previous work and new research to help make sense of the events that ushered in the atomic age.

(P)2019 Tantor Americas International Relations Military Politics & Government Wars & Conflicts Weapons & Warfare War Imperial Japan Imperialism China Franklin D Roosevelt Russia
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For me, this was another angle on the air war against Japan during WW2. I listened to it shortly after "The Bomber Mafia" which really covered the failure of daylight precision bombing and how it developed into nighttime area bombing using napalm and conventional bombs. This more complete work on the deployment of the two atomic bombs put a new face on how the U.S. brought the air war to Japan, and its devastating effects.
Although the delivery is dry, dry, dry. The subject seems well researched and well laid out for the listener. I found it compelling.

Dry but interesting

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