John Hersey. Hiroshima. London: Penguin, 2001 [1946]. One of the most important pieces of journalism of the 20th century; with a new final chapter written by Hersey four decades later. I'm teaching Hiroshima mon amour again this semester and so this might be useful preparation.
Robert A. Pape. Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1996. One of those books everyone cites but I haven't read yet. More operational analysis-type stuff than pure history. Concentrates on the Second World War (offensives against Germany and Japan), Korea, Vietnam and the first Gulf War, but has an interesting appendix discussing other attempts at coercive strategic bombing, from the Gotha raids on.
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Jakob
I've only flicked through the Pape in the library, but from what I recall it's more a PoliSci/IR approach than a history one - lots of formal models and regression and the like.
Brett Holman
Post authorThat's what surprised me, since it seems to be often cited as an overview of, e.g., the bombing of Japan.
Ross
Brett you should read 'Precision and Purpose: Debating Robert A.Pape's Bombing to Win' edited by Benjamin Frankel as an ajoinder to Pape. Pape analysis is good but fails to grasp the real impact of air power, certainly in the Second World War.
Brett Holman
Post authorThanks, Ross, I wasn't aware of that one.