Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Genocide'
The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwell
4 reviews
sweaterdad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I think knowing that this was originally meant to be a podcast is helpful to frame this book—I listened to it as an audiobook to get the full effect. I feel like it was more impactful that way.
I’m not huge into content about war and military, but I still found it somewhat interesting. I also don’t understand Gladwell’s fascination with the bomber mafia - like yeah, I get that they were trying to do something unheard of at the time, but I don’t fully buy into the ‘less of a bad guy’ description of Haywood Hansell. Don’t get me wrong, LeMay sounds like a completely deranged war criminal, but as Gladwell even admits at some point - “no war is good.”
I think if anything, this book just proved to me time and time again how terrible of a country the United States is and that we are often at the core of so much suffering.
I’m not huge into content about war and military, but I still found it somewhat interesting. I also don’t understand Gladwell’s fascination with the bomber mafia - like yeah, I get that they were trying to do something unheard of at the time, but I don’t fully buy into the ‘less of a bad guy’ description of Haywood Hansell. Don’t get me wrong, LeMay sounds like a completely deranged war criminal, but as Gladwell even admits at some point - “no war is good.”
I think if anything, this book just proved to me time and time again how terrible of a country the United States is and that we are often at the core of so much suffering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and War
fallenstarr's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This isn't my usual genre, even within non-fiction I'm not usually drawn to these types of topics. It was informative, interesting, and the writing style was easy to read (even though the subject matter wasn't always what i would call easy reading). I would probably suggest it to people I know are interested in history or the airforce, but this wasn't so life changing and earth shattering amazing that I'm going to run around suggesting it to everybody I know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Child death, Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, and Colonisation
Minor: Racial slurs and Suicide
thecasualbooknerd's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
tanzipanzi's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was an incredibly informative and fascinating audiobook! A rare look at an overlooked part of history that dictated how we wage wars. Full of Malcolm’s obsessive detail and fresh perspective on history, this is a must listen for all. I have a very limited knowledge of WWII but the way the book is written is suitable for anyone. Really puts the moral question of war at the forefront and challenges whether people choose to stick to their morals under all circumstances or get tempted by the devil. It’s a much shorter book that I listened to over two days and it’s similar to his podcast format which I found to be highly engaging. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and War