The bombing of Japan: post II
Rees David. The Defeat of Japan. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger, 1997. Pp.. 219.
David Rees sets out to tell “the story of the defeat of Japan between June 1944 and 2 September 1945 and does so in a brief narrative account. It is a useful introduction to the bombing of Japan and offers a detailed account beneficial as a topical guide for broader study. Rees begins by detailing the development of Japan and road to war. He then examines conflict in the Pacific and the expansion of war as nuclear experiments take place in the United States. Rees also discusses the determination of Japan as well as attempts to bring the war to a close without nuclear destruction.
Walker, J. Samuel. Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1997. Pp. 142.
The purpose of Samuel Walker’s Prompt and Utter Destruction is to examine and analyze the military necessity of using atomic weaponry on Japan and determine to what extent impressing the Soviet Union played in the decision making process. Walker offers personal views based on research of primary and secondary sources. He relies heavily on other scholars, recommending works of Barton J. Bernstein, Martin J. Sherwin, Alonzo Hamby, and Gar Alperovitz. Walker details the decision to create the Atomic bomb presenting the events and debate leading to its use on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In presenting the historical information Walker also includes analysis of the debate surrounding Truman’s decision to use the bomb. Walker concludes that many questions regarding military necessity and endurance of Japan can not be answered with any reasonable consensus. There is no certainty that Japan would have quickly surrendered or correctly estimate the total loss of life. There is also no absolute answer to whether an invasion would have been necessary without the bomb. Walker concludes with the declaration that justification for the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must be evaluated within the context of history and the situation facing the nation in 1945, disregarding all myths since.
Maddox, Robert James. Weapons for Victory: The Hiroshima Decision Fifty Years Later. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, 1995. Pp.215.
Using primary and secondary sources, manuscripts, government publications, and historical analysis, Robert James Maddox seeks to debunk conspiracy theories highlighting inconsistencies in the arguments for bombing Japan. Maddox claims casualty estimates were lower than originally reported and the purpose of bombing Japan to impress the Soviets were examples of writing history from the conclusion to the introduction. He narrates the change of power from President Roosevelt to Harry Truman and details the extensive briefing necessary for an in the dark Truman to assume power then traces the historical time line to nuclear deployment. Maddox concludes with retrospective analysis, supporting the stance that Truman used the bombs for his stated reasons, preventing greater casualties. Maddox does not discount the impact of nuclear use would have on the Soviet Union or other powers.
Fogelman, Edwin. Hiroshima: The Decision to Use the A-Bomb. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1964. Pp. 114.
Edwin Fogelman offers a collection of essays and suggested readings for evaluating justifications for the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Divided into four parts, the first presents ideas of decision makers, while the second details the opinions of scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project. Section three details the Japanese reaction. Evaluations for and against the use of the bomb are also presented. This research anthology offers a partial resource guide useful to undergraduate or advanced high school course. Most sources have a brief synopsis of the author included with the essay or excerpt which is helpful. Fogelman concludes with a topic and method guide for further research.
December 04 2005 10:36 pm | History and Ramblings
