Keith Lowe

The road to firebombing Tokyo was paved with good intentions

Malcolm Gladwell describes how the American dream of precision bombing in the second world war, intended ultimately to save lives, spectacularly backfired

The firebombing of Tokyo in 1945. Credit: Alamy
  • Comments

  • The Bomber Mafia

    Malcolm Gladwell

    Allen Lane, pp. 256, £20

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Steerpike

When will the BBC apologise to Toby Young?

Steerpike
More bad times at the BBC. The Corporation is in hot water yet again following last week’s episode of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. During a discussion on whether extreme weather events are caused by carbon emissions, TV eco-warrior Chris Packham launched into one of his patented rants when asked by businessman Luke Johnson to provide

Because you read about second world war history

Also by Keith Lowe

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in