Racing for the Bomb: General Leslie R. Groves, the Manhattan Project's Indispensable Man (review)

This comprehensive biography of General Groves provides a detailed view of not only his personal life but the Manhattan Project as well. It shows how the experiences in the first forty-six years of his life prepared him to manage the Project and explains why he was chosen for that position of leadership. The author presents an interesting, well-documented story of how, under Groves's management, the atomic bombs were designed, built, and delivered to their targets. Norris's detailed descriptions of wartime events provide insights into the decision to use the bombs. The final section describes Groves's influence in shaping domestic and international policies regarding nuclear weapons.

By explaining Groves's role in the process that led to the use of the atomic bombs on Japan, this work enriches the reader's understanding of the historical context and thus creates a new awareness of certain issues in the ongoing debate about the bomb. Norris provides detailed descriptions of the vast infrastructure of facilities, people, and military units controlled by Groves that carried out the mission of delivering an atomic bomb to an enemy target.

A section is devoted to Groves's participation in the postwar struggles over domestic and international control of military and civilian applications of atomic energy. Having had a dominant role in developing the atomic bomb, Groves wanted a say in who controlled the bomb and associated nuclear applications. Norris describes the interesting struggles that occurred among members of Congress, the executive branch, and the military. While somewhat diminished from his wartime role, Groves still exercised much influence during this critical period.

In the final section, Norris distinguishes between leadership and command. Leadership, he says, is the combination of qualities that inspire and motivate others to follow and achieve goals, while command is more a managerial function—the coordination of military forces. Patton and MacArthur are examples of the former while Groves and Eisenhower personify the latter. The characteristics that made Groves an excellent commander are illustrated throughout the book. This volume is a significant contribution to the history of the Manhattan Project and also will stand as the definitive biography of General Groves.