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benrogerswpg's review against another edition
2.0
I find Malcolm Gladwell's writing style and research fascinating.
I've always been a big fan of his books.
I just couldn't get into this one.
I'm not a big fan of war or history, and this book was them both - and some.
Enjoyed the writing and the stories, but I just didn't find it interesting.
If this is your first Gladwell book, put it back on the shelves and grab [b:Outliers: The Story of Success|3228917|Outliers The Story of Success|Malcolm Gladwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344266315l/3228917._SX50_.jpg|3364437] or [b:The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference|2612|The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference|Malcolm Gladwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473396980l/2612._SY75_.jpg|2124255] instead.
All in all, it was short, fell flat for me, and was particularly boring.
I'll still definitely check out more future books of his though!
2.6/5
I've always been a big fan of his books.
I just couldn't get into this one.
I'm not a big fan of war or history, and this book was them both - and some.
Enjoyed the writing and the stories, but I just didn't find it interesting.
If this is your first Gladwell book, put it back on the shelves and grab [b:Outliers: The Story of Success|3228917|Outliers The Story of Success|Malcolm Gladwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344266315l/3228917._SX50_.jpg|3364437] or [b:The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference|2612|The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference|Malcolm Gladwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473396980l/2612._SY75_.jpg|2124255] instead.
All in all, it was short, fell flat for me, and was particularly boring.
I'll still definitely check out more future books of his though!
2.6/5
hidingzeus's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite WWII, but Malcolm Gladwell got a lot of leniency. It was a nicely woven story.
exelone31's review against another edition
5.0
A really great read, Gladwell is such a great writer and pulls together facts and quotes here seamlessly.
A fascinating examination in the differences in strategies between countries and even between generals within the same military branch(es).
A fascinating examination in the differences in strategies between countries and even between generals within the same military branch(es).
iudouj's review against another edition
3.0
There's a lot of history Gladwell illuminates that we don't normally think about. This is a very interesting read if not as captivating as Gladwell's standard social psychology fare. The audiobook is the way to go here!
samuel_peterson's review against another edition
3.0
audiobook. little over 7 hrs?
What's so interesting about this book in particular is that it started as an audiobook and then went to print. I also listened to all of this content already as part of a three-episode segment on Revisionist History. But that was a while ago so it was fun to revisit these characters.
As a history book, it has a lot to offer in terms of the context to the unending argument over the dropping of the atomic bomb. By bringing it into the context of the high-altitude, precision bombing vs firebombing, Malcom tells the story of two different ideologies of war, where they came from and how they have evolved over time.
The facts of war are murky; actions and consequences are never straight-forward and attaching moral constraints to some of the brutal ways we kill each other is a bit problematic.
Very interesting. Great as an audiobook because there are brilliant interviews with eyewitnesses, army historians, and oral histories with survivors which make characters and events come alive in a way print would not allow.
If interested, listen to it.
What's so interesting about this book in particular is that it started as an audiobook and then went to print. I also listened to all of this content already as part of a three-episode segment on Revisionist History. But that was a while ago so it was fun to revisit these characters.
As a history book, it has a lot to offer in terms of the context to the unending argument over the dropping of the atomic bomb. By bringing it into the context of the high-altitude, precision bombing vs firebombing, Malcom tells the story of two different ideologies of war, where they came from and how they have evolved over time.
The facts of war are murky; actions and consequences are never straight-forward and attaching moral constraints to some of the brutal ways we kill each other is a bit problematic.
Very interesting. Great as an audiobook because there are brilliant interviews with eyewitnesses, army historians, and oral histories with survivors which make characters and events come alive in a way print would not allow.
If interested, listen to it.
jennifertordy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.5
Gladwell is engaging and thrilling as always but the topic was a bit off for me. It was interesting but I feel like it glorified some heinous actions.