A review by lilyreads01
The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwell

3.0

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell is a nonfiction book that explores the methods and morality of aerial warfare. The book explores the development of technology and progress after the First World War following the men and pilots serving in the The Bomber Mafia which eventually became the United States Air Force. It also explores the two perspectives that emerged after the war from generalised aerial bombardments of large cities to precision bombing of specific targets using the newly developed Norden bombsight with the belief that it could minimise loss of life and shorten the timespan of war. The book details the failures and successes of such visions for aerial warfare supported by historical events in the air war in Europe and the Pacific. Gladwell depicts two figures, Haywood Hansell and Curtis LeMay who were two complex characters with juxtaposing positions on the methods and morality of aerial missions - it was LeMay who employed Napalm and commanded his B-29 bombers to reach Japan on an untested flight path. The book is fascinating and absorbing but I wish it had widened its scope and presented more detail on how The Bomber Mafia was crucial in changing the very fabric of modern aerial warfare. The book was originally conceived as an audiobook and I feel this is reflected in the style of the writing which is accessible and fast paced. Overall an interesting book and I would definitely read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.