 Hardcover edition | |
| Author | Malcolm Gladwell |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | The Bomber Mafia |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
Publication date | April 27, 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | print, audiobook, e-book |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 978-0-316-29661-8 |
| OCLC | 1232272458 |
| Preceded by | Talking to Strangers |
| Followed by | Revenge of the Tipping Point |
The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War is a 2021 book by Malcolm Gladwell that examines the US Bomber Mafia of World War II, which advocated precision aerial bombing as a means to win a war. Gladwell stated the audiobook for The Bomber Mafia came about as an expansion of material from his podcast Revisionist History, and that the print book originated from the audiobook. The book follows the Bomber Mafia, especially Major General Haywood S. Hansell, and the development of a high-altitude precision aerial bombardment strategy in World War II as a means to limit casualties. After difficulties in applying the Bomber Mafia's theoretical strategy, Major General Hansell was replaced by Major General Curtis LeMay, who utilized tactical changes such as attacking Japanese population centers with napalm to ensure a Japanese surrender. Upon release, The Bomber Mafia was met with mixed reviews, with reviewers praising its audiobook version but criticizing the book for a lack of detail and factual accuracy.