Europe - Diplomatic Relations with the U.S., Pacific Theater - World War II - Japan, 20th Century American History - Relations - General & Miscellaneous, Military - Strategy, Japanese History - World War II & Aftermath, United States - World War II Armed

The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb

Name: The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb
Author: Gar Alperovitz
ISBN: 9780679762850

by Gar Alperovitz

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Overview

Controversial in nature, this book demonstrates that the United States did not need to use the atomic bomb against Japan. Alperovitz criticizes one of the most hotly debated precursory events to the Cold War, an event that was largely responsible for the evolution of post-World War II American politics and culture.

The culmination of Alperovitz's longtime study of how the atomic bomb was used in war and diplomacy in the 1940s and '50s, this controversial book forcefully demonstrates that the United States did not need to use the atomic bomb against Japan. A major source for an ABC-TV documentary, hosted by Peter Jennings, scheduled to air in July 1995.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Historian Alperovitz argues that America's use of the atomic bomb on Japan was motivated by politics rather than by military necessity. (Aug.)

Library Journal

The president of the National Center for Economic Alternatives argues that against all advice President Truman was persuaded to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima by incoming Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, who saw the bomb as an important tool for dealing with the Soviets after the war.

From Barnes & Noble

This comprehensive history argues that the bombing of Hiroshima was unnecessary, even as it probes the true intentions of the men who authorized it. "A massively detailed yet fascinating and readable work of scholarship."-- S.F. Chronicle.