SKU: 57155854260

The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age

Sale price$22.95 Regular price$25.50
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.38 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 15 - Aug 20

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age"This is historical research at its best." Dan Carlin "I thought I knew the story but learned much that I didn't know. Outstanding!" Richard Rhodes "A well written opus." The Wall Street Journal President Truman's choice to drop the atomic bomb is the most debated decision in the 20th Century. But what if Truman's actual decision wasn't what everyone thinks it was? The conventional narrative is that American leaders had a choice: Invade Japan, which

"This is historical research at its best." -- Dan Carlin

"I thought I knew the story but learned much that I didn't know. Outstanding!"-- Richard Rhodes

"A well-written opus." -- The Wall Street Journal

President Truman's choice to drop the atomic bomb is the most debated decision in the 20th Century. But what if Truman's actual decision wasn't what everyone thinks it was?

The conventional narrative is that American leaders had a choice: Invade Japan, which would have cost millions of Allied and Japanese lives, or instead, use the atom bomb in the hope of convincing Japan to surrender. Truman, the story goes, carefully weighed the pros and cons before deciding that the atomic bomb would be used against Japanese cities, as the lesser of two evils.

But nuclear historian Alex Wellerstein argues that is not what happened. Based on a close reading of the historical record, The Most Awful Responsibility shows that, despite his reputation as an ardent defender of the atomic bomb, Truman:

 

  • Wanted to avoid the "murder" and "slaughter" of innocent civilians
  • Believed that the atomic bomb should never be used again
  • Hoped that nuclear weapons would be outlawed in his lifetime

 

Not only did Truman not take part in the decision to use the bomb, but the one major decision that he did make was a very different one -- one that he himself did not fully understand until after the atomic bomb was used. The weight of that decision, and that misunderstanding, became the major reason that atomic bombs have not been used again since World War II.

Wellerstein makes a startling case that Truman was possibly the most anti-nuclear American president of the twentieth century, but his ambitions were strongly constrained by the domestic and international politics of the postwar world and the early Cold War. This book is a must-read for all who want to truly understand not only why the bomb was dropped on Japan but also why it has not been used since.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 57155854260

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.7 ★★★★★
Based on 27 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
H
Verified Purchase
Happy Customer
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Great product
Color: Sand Nickel+Brush Holder
Very happy with this purchase. It is relatively compact so it doesn't take a lot of room in my sink, but big enough to hold sponges and wand. It also gives you the option to hang on wall or sink.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026
P
Verified Purchase
Peter2534
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect size, sturdy.
Color: Silver+Brush Holder
Perfect size, suction stick well to my stainless steel sink, sturdy, quality, .Exactly what I like.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Tori
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
So far so good!
Color: Silver+Brush Holder
It’s only been about a week since I applied it, seems sturdy enough, and the adhesive was sticky enough that it seems secure. I use very hot water to wash dishes due to illnesses and it’s held up well to the heat of the kitchen thus far using just adhesive. Good buy!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Dani S.
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Great!
Color: Gold+Smiley Face
Works great and is so pretty!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
raj
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect fit
Color: Black+Smiley Face
Nice
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026

recommand products