About the Author Book Review Personal Thoughts Conclusion Works Cited

Review of The Most Controversial Decision:Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the Defeat of Japan

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In the book, The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the

Defeat of Japan, Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C. provides insight into the pre-atomic and post-

atomic decisions of Harry Truman and his council. Miscamble also gives detail into each side of

the argument about the decision to use the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, but

as with every decision there are repercussions, whether good or bad.

About the Author

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Wilson D. Miscamble C.S.C (Figure 1) is a professor at Notre Dame and is also an

ordained priest. Miscamble is originally from Australia

where he received his master’s degree at the University of

Queensland before coming to Notre Dame for graduate

studies in history. While at Notre Dame Miscamble has

written several books, even winning the Harry S. Truman

Book Award in 2008 for his book From Roosevelt to

Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima, and the Cold War.

Miscamble’s primary field of study is Foreign Affairs since

World War II. His field of study is very evident throughout this book. At times within his book

he talks more about James F. Byrnes, Truman’s Head of State, than he does about Truman. This

is seen in the book, when at times he goes into more depth about the Potsdam Conference and

other political meetings than he does about the development of the atomic bomb. Miscamble

utilized numerous resources in this book. He even used sources of those that opposed his views

on the use of the atomic bombs. Miscamble uses mainly primary sources, such as publicly

released papers of the Presidents of the United States of America, and the journals,

memorandums, and quotes of others involved. He also makes use of some secondary sources

such as books by his colleagues and others that have done studies on the use of the atomic

bombs.

Book Review

In the book, Miscamble details the events leading up to

the use of the atomic bombs, the use of the atomic bombs, and

the fallout thereafter leading up to the start of the Cold War. In

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Figure 1: Wilson D. Miscamble C.S.C

the beginning of the book, Miscamble starts with Roosevelt, Churchill, and their alliances along

with their cooperation on the development and use of an atomic bomb. He also gives insight into

Einstein and Oppenheimer’s role in the discovery and utilization of nuclear energy through both

Uranium and Plutonium atoms. After Roosevelt’s passing, Miscamble details the transition that

Harry S. Truman (Figure 2) goes through in becoming the President of the United States.

Miscamble tells how Truman was kept in the dark in the beginning about the development of an

atomic bomb. During the early stages of his presidency Truman relied heavily on his advisers to

keep him informed on what had happened under Roosevelt in foreign affairs and other matters.

After Truman nominates James F. Byrnes (Figure 3) to run the State Department, Miscamble

goes into detail about all foreign affairs surrounding the meetings

and actions leading up to the use of the atomic bombs. Once the

bombs are developed Miscamble provides details into the plans on

the use of the atomic bombs and the accounts of the actual

bombing raids. After the Japanese surrender he begins to explain

the political dealings that surround the fallout of the use of the

atomic bombs. Miscamble gives detail into the start of the standoff

between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. who wanted to control a majority of the European continent.

The results of all of this are the origins of the Cold War.

Miscamble had touched on the highlights into the start of the atomic program, but gave

more detail into the politics surrounding the use of the atomic bomb. In all the details about the

start-up, use, and post-era dealings of the atomic bombs Miscamble made sure to have evidence

and information to back-up his statements. In the description of political matters, Miscamble

used actual quotes and minutes from the various foreign affairs meetings. Also with all military

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Figure 4: James F. Byrnes

operations he used sources that contained written accounts from actual cables and personal

testimony. Miscamble even made great use of dates throughout the book, even though at times

he overlaps dates and makes it a little tough to follow.

After the making and dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Figure

4), both Truman and Oppenheimer showed

some regret and anguish for their role in the

effects of the bombs. Even though Truman did not like the choice he had to make he stood

behind his decision. As Miscamble stated, Truman chose not to avoid facing such criticisms of

his actions. On August 11th, he responded to Cavert and admitted that "Nobody is more

disturbed over the use of Atomic bombs than I am." Yet he went further in his own defense and

explained “but I was greatly disturbed by the unwarranted attack by the Japanese on Pearl

Harbor and their murder of our prisoners of war.” Indicative of his frame of mind as he waited

for Japan’s surrender he clarified for Cavert that “the only language they seem to understand is

the one we have been using to bombard them. When you have to deal with a beast you have to

treat him as a beast. It is most regrettable,” he acknowledged, “but nevertheless true.”

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Figure 5: Map of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

(Miscamble Pg. 116) After seeing the power and destruction the bombs created Truman did not

want the bombs to be used ever again unless absolutely necessary. Another repercussion that

came about after the use of the atomic bombs was the startup of the Cold War. The Soviets had

started their own program even when the U.S. was still in the development stages of its nuclear

program. The Soviets were keeping up with the research the U.S. was doing in its nuclear

program through an operation called Enormoz. Soviet spies were trying to steal the information

and sabotage the entire U.S. nuclear program. With this information and deals that the Soviet

Union had struck with the U.S. in matters dealing with their help in the war, the Soviet Union

looked to expand its control of the European continent. With the control they had, the so-called

Iron Curtain (Figure 5) descended across the portion of the continent that fell under Soviet

control. These actions would eventually lead to the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.

Personal Thoughts

After reading Wilson D. Miscamble’s book, I agree with his stance on the use of the

atomic bombs. In my own personal review, of the highly debated issue of whether or not the U.S.

should have used such force against Japan, I keep coming to the same conclusion. If I were in

Harry Truman’s position during that time, I would have made the same decision. I too would

have battled continually with the morality of the use of such a weapon. But as with all history it

is just that; history. We have the luxury to sit back and see the whole picture of events leading up

to the happening, and the post effects of such a

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“During this time of war, the

atomic bombs were seen as

just another weapon in the

arsenal of warfare”

heavy decision. It is easy to look back and say how could they have unleashed such a deadly

weapon. When in truth, such means paved the only way to end a war, when the country at war

was an enemy that would use every means necessary to keep a foreign government from taking

over its land while they were still breathing. As Miscamble stated in his book, “Indeed, members

of the Japanese military appeared to relish the opportunity to punish American invaders who

dared intruded on their home islands. They held to the main elements of the Ketsu-Go (“Decisive

Operation”) strategy designed to crush the expected American invaders such that the American

population would grow weary of the conflict and agree to terms.” (Miscamble pg. 81) The

Japanese were even willing to sacrifice their lives as well as airplanes in military attacks against

U.S. ships. This alone showed they would spare no expense to defend their way of life and

homeland no matter the circumstances or outcome. During this time of war, the atomic bombs

were seen as just another weapon in the arsenal of warfare. It wasn’t until after their use and the

end of World War II that Truman and his council began to question the moral issues of using

such a weapon. With the decisions that Truman faced of invading Japan’s mainland and risking

millions of American soldiers lives or using a single plane to drop a bomb that cared a persuasive

force of destruction. Truman made the decision that would in his mind hopefully end the war in

the pacific with the least amount of American lives lost, even though, if the bombs had not

worked plans were already in place to prepare for an attack on the Japanese mainland.

Conclusion

In writing this book, Wilson Miscamble outlined all major aspects surrounding the

decision to use the atomic bombs both pre- and post-usage. I gained valuable insight into the

aspect of foreign affairs surrounding the use of atomic weapons during the time of World War II.

I also learned new things about the entire military operation as well. Before reading this book, I

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did not know that the U.S. had targeted the four Japanese cities of Hiroshima, Korkura, Niigata,

and Nagasaki for potential bombing sites. I also did not know that Nagasaki was a secondary

target, but that Korkura was the primary target for second atomic bomb. Throughout his book,

Miscamble wrote in a way to include all realms that were involved in the decision to use the

atomic bombs; both political and analytical. I thought that it was very professional of Miscamble

to include remarks from others who do not share his same opinion on the usage of the atomic

bombs. The composition of his book was not to so much force an agenda, but to take all aspects

surrounding the use of the atomic bombs and analyze them in a way of looking at the big picture

not just focusing on the atomic bombs themselves. For further input from Wilson Miscamble

himself please view Philosophy Lecture Series: The Most Controversial Decision in History.

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Works Cited

Miscamble, Wilson D. The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, The Atomic Bombs, and the defeat of Japan. Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Miscamble, W. D. (n.d.). The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the Defeat of Japan. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/most-controversial-decision-wilson-d-miscamble/1100486546

PZ, & OPAC // University of Notre Dame. (n.d.). Department of History. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://history.nd.edu/faculty/directory/rev-wilson-d-bill-miscamble-c-s-c/

Britannica, T. E. (2018, January 25). Potsdam Conference. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/event/Potsdam-Conference

Harry S. Truman. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/harry-s-truman/

James F. Byrnes (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/byrnes-james-francis

Letters on Japanese Brutality (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/correspondence/truman-harry/corr_truman_1945-08-11.htm

Cold War Map Activity. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from http://mrcolwellsworldhistoryclass.weebly.com/cold-war-map-activity.html

Britannica, T. E. (2018, January 23). Cold War. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War

Obrazkova, M. (2015, August 07). How Soviet intelligence acquired the nuclear bomb. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from http://www.russia-direct.org/reviews/how-soviet-intelligence-acquired-nuclear-bomb

OPERATION KETSU-GO. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://fas.org/irp/eprint/arens/chap4.htm

A. (2014, October 06). Philosophy Lecture Series: The Most Controversial Decision in History. Retrieved March 18, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDrS33IRGb0

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