Among the Dead Cities: The History and Moral Legacy of the WWII Bombing of Civilians in Germany and Japan (later released as Among the Dead Cities: Was the Allied Bombing of Civilians in WWII a Necessity or a Crime?) is a 2006 book by British philosopher A. C. Grayling in which he argues that although World War II was a just and necessary war, the area bombing done to defeat Germany was a crime (unlike the American precision bombing or "pinpoint bombing" of industrial and military targets) because it was (1) an intentional attack on non-combatants; (2) unnecessary in defeating Germany; and (3) disproportionate. Responses were divided.