Bomb Power

In Bomb Power, Garry Wills explores how the development of the atomic bomb fundamentally reshaped American government and executive authority, establishing a modern presidency deeply rooted in national security concerns. He traces this transformation from the secrecy of the Manhattan Project through to contemporary times, highlighting its lasting impact on the balance of powers among the branches of government. Wills argues that the bomb's creation marked a radical departure from the founding principles, significantly empowering the presidency and influencing U.S. policies of perpetual readiness.