SKU: 57155854260

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

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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.

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SKU: 57155854260

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4.5 ★★★★★
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DogLover
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Fantastic Toy!!!
Pattern Name: Duck, Pattern Name: Duck
16 squeakers!! Every one works! Best toy I’ve found!! At 71yrs, I’ve had many dogs. Many toys. Rocky couldn’t be happier. Which makes me happy! It’s a bright yellow duck, kinda flat. 16 squeakers!! Big, for my 5.5 lb Pomeranian, but, he’s all boy, so, it’s great. He won’t leave me alone!! Play time, and, looking in my eyes with all the love he feels for me…. I’ll buy every toy this company makes, just to get that look from my pup!! Sturdy, so far. Beautiful orange and yellow colors. Soft toy. I love it, myself!! The box says it’s a 27 inch toy. So….its a 27 inch toy. Yes…for the many squeakers, I’m gonna hunt for more from this company. Rocky and I are having a Ball with this toy!!! A great bonding item for us. And, I enjoy seeing my boy’s eyes sparkle. I would do anything for Rocky!! Thank you, Amazon!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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Tina
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute toy
Pattern Name: Duck
Super cute, kept my husky entertained! Well made, held up to a Super chewer for more than the typical 5 minutes! Lol
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Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2025
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Verified Purchase
Tara L.
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Wonderful bunny toy
Pattern Name: Rabbit
My dog is totally obsessed with this bunny! She loves it so much. She doesn’t chew it up or squeak it which is strange but she packs it around with her everywhere she goes. She is lab pit mix and usually chews toys to shreds in a few days but not this one!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2025
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Amazon Customer
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 1
Miki destroyed this toy in 30 minutes
Pattern Name: Duck, Pattern Name: Duck
I like the fact that it had several squeakers & was longer than most toys. He played with it for less than 5 minutes & here it lays on the floor. He has absolutely no interest in it & that is not the way he normally acts with a new toy. The money wasis a waste, but the fact that he has no interest is a big disappointment. I could not recommend this toy for any dog. This toy was put away from lack of interest from Miki when we got it. I got it out the other day & I am adding this info because it is important for pet owners to know how much this is a danger to your animal. ThMiki tore the stitching in the head in a few minutes. I stitched it up & let him have it back. He proceeded to destroy this toy. This lead to squeakers coming out along with stuffing. In the title of the description it says -No Stuffing Plush Pet Chew Toys- also this is supposed to be for medium to large dogs. I can sew him a toy much safer than this one. Please read this review & do not purchase this toy. I really can't give this a 1 star as it really is a zero.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020
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Deb
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Cute, not very sturdy.
Pattern Name: Duck
My heavy chewer basset hound tore a squeaker out in the first half hour. He loves the toy, but its width is too wide. Get a snake toy if you want to play tug with a squeaky toy.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2026

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