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appaloosa05's review against another edition
This excelled as an audiobook. According to a note in the book, it was initially created as an audiobook which explains the interviews, music, and sound effects which greatly enhanced the listening experience.
missyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
Road trip choice. Very well done and interesting story. Gladwell finds what would be considered minor or “throw away “ incidents and show the impact of those decisions and actions to the greater story. I admire the amount of research and attention to small details that the Gladwell stories contain. This story focuses on the Air Force and their contributions to WWII. Particularly actions by Curtis LeMay, chemists at Harvard, and Winston Churchill. Even what seem to be simple day to day decisions that then loom as larger impact decisions. Napalm and carpet bombing, discovery of the air stream, night bombing vs day, precision bombing potential, acquisition of Guam, and the change of commanders in that arena all are major players in this story. Looking forward to Gladwell’s next project
catrinlj's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book is mainly about the tension between two different approaches to bombing in the 2nd World War - high-altidue precision bombing to avoid unnecessary civilian deaths vs just bombing the heck out of everything and civilian casualties be damned. Malcolm Gladwell is a great story-teller - I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed his engaging, conversational style. This was a very interesting story, although also quite horrifying in the latter stages.
florencedobie's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
ceasarl's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Gladwell. Very insightful and with his writing style that makes it seem that you're sitting with him listening to him tell interesting stories. I enjoyed this read.
If you like Gladwell, you will like this book. Of yyou don't, stay away
If you like Gladwell, you will like this book. Of yyou don't, stay away