Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs in Japan

About the Book

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.

Key Insights

• Delineates what was known and not known by American leaders at the time.
• Evaluates the options available for ending the war with Japan.
• Incorporates a decade of new research, mostly from Japanese archives only recently made available.

New Edition Highlights

In this new edition, Walker provides fresh insight on the strategic considerations that led to dropping the bomb. The book delves into the debate about whether to invade or continue the conventional bombing of Japan, 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.