Bettie Stiletto asked this question about American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer:
This book was readable, but seems to contain some serious misinformation. The authors stated that Japan was willing to surrender to the U.S before Fatman was dropped Rhodes "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." said otherwise. I researched it and seems that Rhodes has it right and there's no basis for the other claim. Does anyone have any other information? Can a Pulitzer be revoked, That's a major blunder. .
Eric The contemporary statements of cabinet members, military officials, and civilian officials, along with Japan not surrendering until after continued U.…moreThe contemporary statements of cabinet members, military officials, and civilian officials, along with Japan not surrendering until after continued U.S. air raids and the Soviet invasion are the basis for the claim. In the negotiations, Japan professed reluctance to unconditional surrender primarily due to fealty to the emperor. The subsequent U.S. concession on this point lends credence to the idea that this was not a real deal-breaker, as U.S. negotiators had insisted throughout.

I don't think it's a settled matter, but it is a long way from baseless.

https://www.thenation.com/article/wor...(less)
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Bettie Stiletto Thank you so much Eric. Though it makes absolutely no tangible difference in my life, not knowing is bothering me unreasonably. I really appreciate th ...more
Jun 23, 2021 03:04PM · flag
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Eric You're welcome. I should clarify that I am nowhere near finished with American Prometheus. My comments are about the general debate, not about the spe ...more
Jun 25, 2021 06:26AM · flag
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Eric *rarely addressed

My bad.

Jun 25, 2021 06:28AM · flag
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