Pearl Harbor Books

After all of the scores of books written about the origins of the Second World War it might seem that another is redundant, but Lamb and Tarling have truly made a valuable contribution with this book. They survey the diplomatic history of the interwar period very clearly and concisely, summarizing the internal political factors underlying the diplomatic moves. In the course of their book they provide a good and unprejudical review of the major views on key points. The treatment of the European and Asian ends of the story is well integrated -- far more so than in most accounts, which tend to concentrate on one end or the other and lose a great deal of coherence in the process. And they provide a good brief introduction to the historiography. The text is much enlivened by deft and judicious use of brief quotations from participants.

It is not at all possible, of course, to cover the story of the war's origins comprehensively and in depth in 200 pages of text. Many of the details and nuances of the diplomatic history are lost, the treatment of political factors is fairly sketchy, that of the economic factors still more so, and there is essentially nothing on the social factors. There are also a few lacunae, as when a few of the many people mentioned in the text are brought in without specifying who they were, what positions they held, or why they were important.

Overall, however, this has to rate as the best brief introduction to this richly complex and still relevant period.

Will O'Neil

Subtitled "The Art and Science of Modern Warfare," this covers events from the Relief of Ladysmith during the Boer War and the Battle of Tsushima in Russo-Japanese War of 1905 to the Falklands War of 1982 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. It provides a clear picture of the changing tactics of military operations, the successes and failures, the dos and don'ts. It should be required reading for military strategists.

A fascinating study of the intelligence breakdown that led to Pearl Harbor. Was it a let-down in preparedness and communications failure, or a sacrificial lamb to grease the wheels for America's entry into World War II? Particularly relevant in today's post 9/11 world where comparisons between Pearl Harbor and the World Trade Center disaster are frequent and unfortunate. Is the U.S. government really capable of allowing such disasters to stir up popular response for its foreign policy?

At long last an intellectual and credible book on the truth about the Pearl Harbor attack.

David Wade brilliantly summarizes the latest research into the catastrophic event that led America into the second world war; a scathing indictment of the duplicity of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The author places the Pearl Harbor attack in the context of the prewar diplomacy of Roosevelt, and shows how the President knew the attack was coming. But Roosevelt deliberately kept our military commanders in Hawaii in the dark, probably a far greater act of treason than committed by Johnny Walker Lindh.

Mr. Wade artfully drew dramatic parallels between the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the surprise attack on the World Trade Center and Pentegon, connecting December 7 with December 11.

But this book was actually two books in one. I really enjoyed the supplemental information in the back of the book about Presidential Succession.

I was amazed to learn that if there were a nuclear terror act in Washington that claimed the lives of Bush, Cheney and Hastert, then our new president would be none other than Ted Stevens of Alaska!!!

Whenever I recognise factual errors in any work of non-fiction (and I frequently do!), those errors are taken into account when it comes to judging - and reviewing, the work. In the case of this book, I have no way of knowing whether the well-argued and well-reasoned facts surrounding the events in the USA on 11 September 2001 (now known by the acronym "Nine-Eleven") as assembled and described in great detail by the author have any basis or not.

Nevertheless, it is because those allegations "are" well-argued and well-reasoned that this book stands out as one that must be read by all those people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean who care anything at all about this new style of terrorism, the direction in which the threat it poses is taking our respective countries and the consequential actions (or not!) taken by our leaders.

It is easy to say we have a right to ask questions. It is more important to assert we have a right to demand answers. To return to my original point, therefore, whether or not the allegations in this book have any basis in fact or not, they are allegations which must be addressed by those leaders.

It is important to note that this author is not alone in making such accusations, so this is not a maverick publication. Instead it raises the most worrying and disturbing questions about a series of events which shook the world and, in doing so, made a permanent change to that world - forever!

I live in a small English village. No, not New England, USA - the original England that is still part of Great Britain. Eleven people from this region alone died in the twin towers and similar figures are repeated across this country. I do believe, therefore, it is fair to say we all have an interest in what happened on that defining day and what is being done about it.

Whatever your personal views about those events, whatever your personal involvement (or otherwise), I have reached the conclusion this book should be REQUIRED READING for all citizens of the USA and UK. Once read, you will be asking yourself; Well, did they?, or didn't they? And why do those basic questions about the standard procedures relating to US Air Defences remain unanswered by those at the very top? Or is it we simply don't care how the war is won just as long as it is?

NM
British Army Major (retired).

The official conspiracy theory holds that 19 hijackers of Muslim Arab origin under direction of a former CIA operative with kidney disease from a cave in Afghanistan in a secret operation defeated the most advanced air-defense system in the world in a surprise attack. The alternative conspiracy theory holds that men in positions of power within the US political structure, military services, and intelligence agencies--who would stand to gain incredibly more power--planned, enabled, and/or controlled the attacks of 9/11. The alternative theory by necessity also holds that the perpetrators of 9/11 covered up their crime largely through the advocacy of an official conspiracy theory.

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright
Copyright 2007

This novel is not just entertaining; it is very educational. You will learn so much about World War II in the Pacific. So often, we hear about the European side of the War and not much about what happened in the Pacific, both during and after the war.
The author does a great job bringing out so many emotions: anger, sadness, joy, regret.
Not Forgotten is a great read!

Like July 4, 1776, this is another excellent collection of articles by many different authors. R. Carlisle is primarily the editor. He is author of some of the book but not all.

This is a taut, well-written and non-sentimental account of an early US victory in World War II that, together with the battle at Midway Island, turned the tide of the war in our favor.

While deeply researched, it's nonetheless a compelling read and incorporates a good balance of personal and professional stories.

Highly recommended.

See WWII aircraft wrecks from all over the Pacific. If you are a fan of aviation, you will want to see this CD-ROM. It includes half American and half Japanese aircraft - both fighters and bombers, including some very well known types like the B-25 Mitchell and P-38 Lightning, and more unknown planes, of the Japanese, including the well know A6M "Zero" and G4M "Betty"

The connection to Pearl Harbor is with a Japanese A6M2 "Zero" that flew over Pearl Harbor, and was later shot down over Australia. In addition, it includes aircraft of aces, including Richard E. Smith, and other famous aircraft, like "Pug" Southerland's F-4F Wildcat - who shot down the first Japanese plane over Guadalcanal and also, the first U.S. aircraft loss over Guadalcanal - shot down by famed Japanese ace Saburo Sakai. Also, each includes full history, photos, video and WWII photos to accompany each profile.

If your interested in aircraft wrecks, history or just amazing images and video of aircraft wrecks left today in jungles around the world - this product is highly recommended!!!

Learned about it from a review in Flight Journal Aviation Magazine February 2003 issue.