In my latest ‘Book Friday’ I was delighted to read James Scott’s excellent Black Snow last week, about the development of American bombing strategy on Japan - from supposed ‘precision’ bombing to the reality of an area-based campaign (because only this ‘worked’) - and can heartily recommend his narrative approach. Its a good - even exciting - read.
A complementary version of this story, but one that places the atomic bombs in the context of Hirohito’s decision to draw stumps on 15 August 1945, is Richard Overy’s excellent (and short) Rain of Ruin. Both are important contributions to the story of the final battles for Japan. We need to remember that the atomic bombs were part of the Emperor’s decision to ‘surrender’, not the entire story. Hirohito was persuaded that Japanese militarism had failed to achieve what it had set out to achieve (namely to build an empire for Japan), and had in fact brought it to ruin. The atomic bombs simply reinforced this view and enabled him to make his decision.
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