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firezink5's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
This was fantastic on audio, narrated by the author and chock-full of "mixed media" such as original interviews, recorded footage, aircraft sounds, etc. Fascinating to see the larger-than-life characters behind the scenes and the "ripple effects" that strategic decisions have for decades. I'm also ashamed to admit that this was really the first time I really understood the magnitude of the firebombing of Japan in the waning days of the war. While the atomic bombs get most of the fanfare, this campaign is really horrific to learn about.
knittingchaos's review against another edition
4.0
Highly recommend listening to the book. It has interviews from the past. Interesting subject.
sarkynir's review against another edition
2.5
Malcom Gladwell always does a good job at collecting facts and stories and presenting it in an engaging way. Unfortunately, this book was not aligned with my interests.
michelleleao10's review against another edition
3.0
Read because my dad recommended it. It was interesting and a quick listen - would recommend the audiobook for this one because there’s a ton of music and the interviews are actual recordings which makes it great to listen to!
bknight16's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.75
Yeah I didn’t love this, at all. Maybe it just wasn’t my interest? But I had hopes because of the way Gladwell writes that I may find enjoyment in it because his style is so engaging…
I was not really engaged.
It read well, if not a little ‘over quoted’ but we’re dealing with historical events so I understand.
I enjoyed some of the questions he asked and I did enjoy parts of it - especially towards the end.
This could certainly be more of a me issue than the book but I just didn’t enjoy it?
I felt it was clearly concerning a matter of huge interest to Gladwell but that interest didn’t necessarily translate to me.
I think he’s an incredible story teller, with amazing influence in his writing but this one wasn’t for me.
I was not really engaged.
It read well, if not a little ‘over quoted’ but we’re dealing with historical events so I understand.
I enjoyed some of the questions he asked and I did enjoy parts of it - especially towards the end.
This could certainly be more of a me issue than the book but I just didn’t enjoy it?
I felt it was clearly concerning a matter of huge interest to Gladwell but that interest didn’t necessarily translate to me.
I think he’s an incredible story teller, with amazing influence in his writing but this one wasn’t for me.
Graphic: War
blackswan_1228's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Excellent portrayal of both sides to an impossible moral dilemma and an in-depth look into the realities of war that surround it.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
Answers the modern day question about why in wars past the opposing side wasn’t just bombed into submission. Talks about what modern war has become. Reads like a podcast of Gladwell’s (which is sort of where it originated from). He always looks at things from a fascinating angle.
cdjdhj's review against another edition
2.0
The Bomber Mafia is largely about the competing philosophies of air war of two generals during the closing days of World War II. It is well researched and documented, and the audiobook, which I listened to, had actual interviews and other audio. I understand that Gladwell did the audiobook first and then the print version was derived from the audio. The story is certainly interesting from a historical perspective, but what I didn't much like was the moral philosophizing that Gladwell does - especially comparing the two generals involved, Hayward S. Hansell and Curtis LeMay to Jesus. That whole comparison fell completely flat for me. I learned a lot of WWII history and the air war against Japan, and even the two philosophies of the generals, but Gladwell's attempt to judge the thoughts and intentions of the two men made me not like this book much. I like history more when I can draw my own conclusions from the facts that are presented.