John Charmley of The Guardian wrote that "its extremely sophisticated argument lends itself to being immediately misunderstood by those of a less liberal frame of mind" and that Grayling anticipates all the criticisms of historians and right-leaning readers.

He billed the book as "provocative and readable", arguing,[1] Unless we exercise vigilance over our leaders, they will fall for the tempting arguments that lead to area bombing, or its modern equivalent.

Kampmark also said that Grayling overall answers his questions less than satisfactorily, arguing that the tribunals at Nuremberg and Tokyo were wise to "[make] neat omissions about area bombing in their judgment [...] The Axis powers started it".

"[4] The Daily Telegraph's Max Hastings said the author "rehearses familiar history" and is new only in "the absolutism of his conclusions", which he felt differed from those of "more cautious historians".

Arguing that the area bombing was done to hasten collapse of tyrannies whereas the Nazis were deep defenders of an immoral ideology, Hastings said Grayling excessively engages in presentism and adds "little useful to the debate".