Pearl Harbor
A Novel of December 8th
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3.8 • 83 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
From the bestselling authors of the beloved American Civil War series, Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen launch an epic adventure by applying their imaginations and knowledge to the "Date of Infamy"—the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor covers the full spectrum of character and events of that historic moment, from national leaders and admirals to the views of ordinary citizens caught in the chaos of war. From the chambers of the Emperor of Japan to the American White House, from the decks of aircraft carriers to the playing fields of the Japanese Naval Academy, this powerful story stretches from the nightmare slaughter of China in the 1930s to the lonely office of Commander James Watson, an American cryptographer, who suspects the impending catastrophic attack. It is a story of intrigue, double-dealing, the horrific brutality of war, and the desperate efforts by men of reason on both sides to prevent a titanic struggle that becomes inevitable.
A compelling, meticulously researched saga, Pearl Harbor is also a novel of valor about those who took party in this cataclysmic moment in world history. It inaugurates a dramatic new Pacific War series that begins with the terrifying account of the day that started it all.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Having completed their Civil War trilogy, ex House Speaker Gingrich and historian Forstchen return their attention to World War II (they previously collaborated on 1945). The attack on Pearl Harbor occupies the final quarter of the book, and the extensive leadup begins in 1930s Japan and provides readers not well versed in Japanese history a decent thumbnail sketch of Japanese culture and the events that preceded the attack. The authors' research shines in accurate accounts of diplomatic maneuvering as well as the nuts-and-bolts of military action, beginning with the Japanese invasion of China. Fans of the authors will expect their trademark "alternative" ending. In this case, the Japanese attack far more vigorously and devastate a larger chunk of the U.S. Pacific fleet than they actually did. How this affects the war's outcome will be revealed in the sequel. Gingrich and Forstchen, though adept at bigger-picture issues, falter when it comes to establishing and developing characters; FDR, Churchill and Hirohito come across as caricatures who move the plot along by mouthing historically appropriate lines, while the soldier-heroes exist to explain their nation's point-of-view to the reader. The recent success of Letters from Iwo Jima may attract readers who would otherwise shy away from military history fiction.
Customer Reviews
Pearl Harbor
I agree with piperglack. Great book, miserable editing. It doesn't take that much to do an acceptable quality control check
Correction
It was December 7th 1941 not December 8th 1941
Spellcheck
The book is great, but I should have bought it in print. The misspelling of some key names is really distracting. How can anyone allow Mitsuo Fuchida be written as "Fuchsia"?? This is historical fiction...get it right