In this book, Alperovitz questions the United States’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Drawing upon extensive research and study of source materials, he suggests that Japan was close to surrender and that leading military and civilian officials advised President Truman of viable alternatives to the bomb. The author places much blame for the results on the incoming secretary of state at the time, James F. Byrnes, whom he claims convinced Truman and his advisors that the bomb would be an important diplomatic tool in dealing with the Soviets.