

#1743
Mentioned in 14 episodes
The Bomber Mafia
A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War
Book • 2021
The Bomber Mafia delves into the story of a group of American military officers who developed a doctrine of daylight strategic bombing aimed at minimizing casualties through precision high-altitude aerial bombardment.
The book contrasts the idealistic strategies of the 'Bomber Mafia,' led by General Haywood Hansell, with the brutal pragmatism of General Curtis LeMay, who implemented scorched-earth tactics in Japan using napalm.
Gladwell examines the moral challenges and consequences of these strategies, including the devastating firebombing of Tokyo and the broader implications for modern warfare.
The book also explores the technological and historical context of these events and poses questions about the morality and effectiveness of different military approaches.
The book contrasts the idealistic strategies of the 'Bomber Mafia,' led by General Haywood Hansell, with the brutal pragmatism of General Curtis LeMay, who implemented scorched-earth tactics in Japan using napalm.
Gladwell examines the moral challenges and consequences of these strategies, including the devastating firebombing of Tokyo and the broader implications for modern warfare.
The book also explores the technological and historical context of these events and poses questions about the morality and effectiveness of different military approaches.
Mentioned by




















Mentioned in 14 episodes
Mentioned by 

as his latest book, a story about pilots in the 1930s and their ideas about warfare.


Malcolm Gladwell

76 snips
Malcolm Gladwell: Working From Home Is Destroying Us!
Mentioned by 

as one of 

's books.


Carey Nieuwhof


Malcolm Gladwell

47 snips
CNLP 682 | Malcolm Gladwell Deconstructs His Writing Process and Habits, Shares His Theory on How to Reach People in a Crowded World, and Explains the Revenge of the Tipping Point
Mentioned by 

; his book was conceived as an audiobook first and explores the history of warfare and technology.


Caleb Bissinger

20 snips
THE ESSENTIALS: Our Favorite Moments From Season 4
Mentioned by 

when discussing the South Pole trilogy and its references to 

's work.


Tim Harford


Malcolm Gladwell

11 snips
"Who would you dine with? Scott or Amundsen?" Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford in Discussion.
Mentioned by the podcast host as his latest book.

Little Mermaid Part 1: The Golden Contract
Mentioned by 

as a book expanding on episodes from Revisionist History.


Malcolm Gladwell

A Serious Game
Mentioned by 

as his newest book.


Ryan Holiday

Malcolm Gladwell on Running, Writing, and Storytelling
Mentioned by 

as the subject of the podcast episode.


Rufus Griscom

The Future of Storytelling, According to Malcolm Gladwell
Recommended by 

as a well-produced audiobook with sound effects and audio clips.


Dave Ramsey

She Can’t Come to Work Because of Her Personal Life
Mentioned by 

as his audiobook about the U.S. firebombing campaign in Tokyo.


Malcolm Gladwell

The Department of Physiological Hygiene
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as her latest book, expanding on episodes from the last season of Revisionist History.

Glenn Close

Little Mermaid Part 3: Honestly Ever After
Mentioned by 

as his latest book, expanding on episodes from the last season of Revisionist History.


Malcolm Gladwell

I Love You Waymo
Mentioned by 

as his new book.


Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant
Recommended by 

; a book about the history of American air power in WWII.


Chris Kirchhoff

The Pentagon’s Innovation Insurgents

Collin Hansen

Summer Reading with Melissa Kruger
Mentioned by 

as his newest book, detailing the story of the Bomber Mafia and their impact on warfare.


Malcolm Gladwell

Presenting: The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book he listened to and really liked.

JT English

Season 13 Patreon Q&A
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of the B-17 bomber's origins and the concept of precision bombing.

Kevin Maurer

The Harrowing Life of a World War II B-17 Pilot