samuel_peterson's review against another edition
3.0
audiobook. little over 7 hrs?
What's so interesting about this book in particular is that it started as an audiobook and then went to print. I also listened to all of this content already as part of a three-episode segment on Revisionist History. But that was a while ago so it was fun to revisit these characters.
As a history book, it has a lot to offer in terms of the context to the unending argument over the dropping of the atomic bomb. By bringing it into the context of the high-altitude, precision bombing vs firebombing, Malcom tells the story of two different ideologies of war, where they came from and how they have evolved over time.
The facts of war are murky; actions and consequences are never straight-forward and attaching moral constraints to some of the brutal ways we kill each other is a bit problematic.
Very interesting. Great as an audiobook because there are brilliant interviews with eyewitnesses, army historians, and oral histories with survivors which make characters and events come alive in a way print would not allow.
If interested, listen to it.
What's so interesting about this book in particular is that it started as an audiobook and then went to print. I also listened to all of this content already as part of a three-episode segment on Revisionist History. But that was a while ago so it was fun to revisit these characters.
As a history book, it has a lot to offer in terms of the context to the unending argument over the dropping of the atomic bomb. By bringing it into the context of the high-altitude, precision bombing vs firebombing, Malcom tells the story of two different ideologies of war, where they came from and how they have evolved over time.
The facts of war are murky; actions and consequences are never straight-forward and attaching moral constraints to some of the brutal ways we kill each other is a bit problematic.
Very interesting. Great as an audiobook because there are brilliant interviews with eyewitnesses, army historians, and oral histories with survivors which make characters and events come alive in a way print would not allow.
If interested, listen to it.
jennifertordy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.5
Gladwell is engaging and thrilling as always but the topic was a bit off for me. It was interesting but I feel like it glorified some heinous actions.
rhiannonjq's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Engaging audiobook but the subject matter is so incredibly horrific.
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
Malcolm Gladwell is best known for his very accessible books about social science, and in this work he carries that gift of accessibility to military history. Specifically, this talks about the formation of the Air Force as we know it today, and a group of young guns who became known as The Bomber Mafia. This group wanted to revolutionize warfare as we then knew it, and use targeted bombing to limit casualties. Gladwell tells us the story of their ideas and their ideals, and how they succeeded and failed. It’s quick, easy to read and interesting.
Malcolm Gladwell is best known for his very accessible books about social science, and in this work he carries that gift of accessibility to military history. Specifically, this talks about the formation of the Air Force as we know it today, and a group of young guns who became known as The Bomber Mafia. This group wanted to revolutionize warfare as we then knew it, and use targeted bombing to limit casualties. Gladwell tells us the story of their ideas and their ideals, and how they succeeded and failed. It’s quick, easy to read and interesting.