29th Special Foundation Training Course
for
BCS (Health) Cadre Officers
National Academy for Planning and Development
BOOK REVIEW
of
President Truman and the Atomic Bomb
- Michael O’Neal
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashrafur Rahman
29th batch
Roll - 20
Bibliographic citation
O’Neal M. President Truman and the Atomic Bomb. California: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 1990. 112 pages.
Introduction
‘President Truman and the Atomic Bomb’ by Michael O’Neal is one of many books published under the ‘Great Mysteries - Opposing Viewpoints®’ series. The book sketches the events and decisions that led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945; particularly President Harry S. Truman’s role as decision maker and initiator of the act.
This book is intended for the curious young readers. The language and style of presentation are suited for them. Therefore although the book is rich in information, it does not go into detail issues of politics or diplomacy. Each section of the book is given a separate title. Relevant use of quotations and photographs has made the book more interesting. The book is written in simple American style English and printed in large clear text.
Summary
In September 1, 1939, Germany’s sudden invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II, the most titanic conflict in history. Two years later, on December 7, 1941, America was brutally forced into it when Japan attacked the United States naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. President Roosevelt responded by declaring war against Japan.
The book starts out with three apparently unrelated events that took place miles apart, in the closing months of the Second World War. A secret meeting between Truman and his Sec. of War in the Oval Office on April 25, Potsdam Declaration among Truman, Churchill and Stalin on July 16, and arrival of an American ship containing a secret cargo at the tiny pacific island of Tinian in late July, were seemingly insignificant and unconnected. But together...