Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan
by J. Samuel Walker
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Description
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 show more 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. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I was assigned to read this for a class discussion. All in all an interesting, comprehensive read about the decision to use the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. It also helps that it was a rather quick read. Would certainly recommend it to those interested in the subject.
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Author Information
12 Works 280 Members
J. Samuel Walker is the historian of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1997
- People/Characters
- Harry S. Truman
- Important places
- Hiroshima, Japan; Honshū, Japan; Japan; Nagasaki, Japan; USA
- Important events
- World War II (1939 | 1945); World War II, Pacific Theater (1941-12-07 | 1945-09-02); Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945)
- Original language
- English
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 153
- Popularity
- 214,627
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 2
