October Book Club Meeting: The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
28 October 2025 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm UTC+10
Tuesday 28 October from 17:30 to 19:30 in the Members Bar.
The Bomber Mafia is a nonfiction book that tells the story of a group of U.S. Air Force officers during World War II who believed in a new way to fight war by using precision bombing instead of destroying entire cities.
They thought that with the right technology, like high-altitude bombers and accurate aiming tools, they could target specific military sites and reduce civilian deaths. Their goal was to make war more humane and efficient.
Malcolm Gladwell focuses on key figures like General Haywood Hansell, who believed in this ideal, and General Curtis LeMay, who made different and more brutal choices when the strategy didn’t go as planned.
The book explores how dreams of a better way to fight war met the messy reality of combat. It’s about technology, ethics, leadership, and the difficult decisions made during wartime.
Gladwell brings history to life with storytelling that makes you think about the cost of war and the people behind big ideas.
Be part of our discussion as we explore the history, leadership, and lasting relevance of Gladwell’s The Bomber Mafia.
To RSVP for this event, please email [email protected] or register by filling out this form.