How we cite our quotes: Chapter name.(Chapter Number).Paragraph
Quote #4
The KGB's chief of foreign intelligence, Pavel Fitin, said Hall's information "is of great interest to us." That was a massive understatement. Top Soviet officials like Fitin lived in terror of Joseph Stalin. Anyone who angered or disappointed the Soviet dictator could wind up in a Siberian prison camp—or with a bullet in the brain. (Two Inside.(24).38)
There are different ways to wield power. Stalin went the "I'll kill you if I don't like what you say/do/look like" route. We wouldn't recommend it.
Quote #5
Just two years before, Stimson had decided Truman wasn't important enough to know about the Manhattan Project. Now, if an atomic bomb could be built, it would be Truman's job to decide how to use it.
"If you ever pray, pray for me now," Truman told reporters when they surrounded him the following day. "I don't know whether you fellows ever had a load of hay fall on you, but when they told me yesterday what had happened, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me." (Falling Stars.(28).19-20)
Sometimes power can be something that opens doors, and sometimes it is an oppressive force that can be scary and overwhelming. Truman's ascension to the presidency gave him both of these experiences, wielding new power for the first time.
Quote #6
President Truman was leaving in a few days for Potsdam, Germany, where he was going to meet with Joseph Stalin to begin talking about post-war plans. It was becoming clear that when the war ended the United States and the Soviet Union would be the only world powers left standing—and that they'd be rivals. Potsdam would be Truman's first meeting with the famously intimidating Soviet leader. Truman wanted to know that the United States had a working atomic bomb. He wanted to stun Stalin with the news. (Trinity.(30).4)
Having an atomic bomb in one's back pocket is quite the trump card for Truman. It's like throwing a royal flush down on a pair of threes, so it's no wonder that he was really disappointed when Stalin's reaction was like, "Eh, yeah, good for you."