The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War

Examine the morality of scientists inventing or discovering things that could be used for harm, such as napalm. Is it ethical for scientists to work on things like nuclear energy or genetic engineering if their work could be used in bad ways? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples from the book pertaining to its theme of Technology and Morality.

In his book, Gladwell doesn’t mention the racism of Americans toward Japanese people during World War II. How did that factor into the war against Japan? What about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? Did either of them—or both—influence the approach to warfare in the Pacific Theater as compared to that in the European Theater? Present examples with historical evidence to support your opinion.

Examine two other military commanders in history with competing methods or philosophies for accomplishing a common goal. Compare them to Hansell and LeMay. What role did their respective personalities and/or technology play in their case?

In Chapter 2, Gladwell briefly touches on the different philosophies of the Army, Navy, and Air Force by discussing the style of architecture of the chapels found at their respective military academies. Explore this distinction in more depth. Historically, what are the philosophies and styles of the three branches? How have they changed over time, and where do they stand today?

The incendiary gel called napalm used by General LeMay in his bombing attacks on Japan is often associated with the Vietnam War, waged during the 1960s and 1970s. How was it used there, and what were the controversies surrounding its use? How does this history support Gladwell’s theme of Technology and Morality?

The US government funded Carl Norden’s research on his bombsight with over $1 billion. The Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb, was also a billion-dollar (plus) investment. Discuss at least three other technological developments that came as a result of government funding. How were they used during World War II, and how were they applied in other ways after the war?

How does Gladwell’s writing style in The Bomber Mafia demonstrate his background in journalism and public speaking? Describe Gladwell’s use of narrative elements in the text. Support your answer with evidence from the book.

Hansell’s pilots encountered the jet stream for the first time when they flew over Japan. It was discovered in the 1920s by a Japanese scientist, but it was not widely known at the time and came as a surprise to the Americans. Discuss the legacy of this discovery. How has its discovery influenced the fields of flight and meteorology since then? Has it had an influence on any other fields?