Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack Paperback – November 21, 2017

This proved to be an entirely satisfying book about the human account of the twelve days up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The writer takes you back to that time, and puts you into the shoes of each character, both American and Japanese. The characters are made both authentic and real. I especially like the way the author seamlessly moves between being in the midst of 1941 and looking back at the past, from our present vantage point. The account is so human, you feel as if you can reach out and touch the characters. In particular, the book gives page after page of vivid details, all to make the reader understand more thoroughly. One example, from page 217, when describing an old US search plane, the PBY-5: "The PBY-5 was no show horse. It was slow. Its nose looked as if it had lost a bar fight. The wing was almost a free-floating independent being....[but] ...What it lacked in charisma, the plane offered in functionality." The plane being so personified, the story became real. Last, on one special note, I am an American who has lived in Japan for 28 years and I have to say, the author gave special attention to include the way the Japanese were thinking, and also, what the Americans thought of the Japanese at that time. I felt the Japanese heart was portrayed truly, not an easy task. And after reading this book, I have an greater understanding about what makes the Japanese tick, and who they are as a nation. I cannot thank the author enough, and highly recommend this book.

Countdown to Pearl Harbor details the twelve days before the Japanese launched their unannounced attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 launching World War II in the Pacific. It was best described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who called this attack a day which shall live in infamy. The attack is one of the most well known tragedies in American history but few people have detailed knowledge of the leadup to thedastardly deed. Steve Twomey the veteran journalist and Pulitzer Prize Winner has produced a relatively short book which step by step explains how the attack unfolded in real time. Among things learned by reading the fine book of history:a. The Japanese were known for launching surprise attacks as they did on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.b. The book gives good character stetches of Admiral Husband Kimmel who knew the Japanese were belligerent but did not have enough planes to defend the Hawaii islands.c. Both Navy commander Kimmel and General Short of the Army were poorly informed about developments in the Japanese preparations being made for war.d. Racial prejudice blinded American eyes to the lethal nature and brilliant war minds in Japan preparing for war.5. The Americans did not believe the Japanese would be able to launch torpedoes in the waters of Pearl Harbor-they were wrong! A fascinating history worthy of being read, argued over and getting your mind thinking about all the possibilities which could have transpired in that dark time.

It is too much to expect important new evidence to emerge after 75 years of research on Pearl Harbor.. Mr. Toomey does not really claim to offer anything new. Rather, the author attempts to write an accurate, balanced and readable account of the final run up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is generally sucessful. There is room for disagreement: some will think he is too hard on Admiral Kimmel ( I do) and he surely overrates the value of getting the fleet to sea where with inadequate air coverage the ships could have been sunk in deep water. The author notes that it was President Roosevelt's decision (discounting professional advice) to base the fleet at Pearl Harbor. This move was made for the same reason that Prime Minister moved the Repulse and Prince of Wales to Singapore: to deter the Japanese. These moves actually gave the Japanese the opportunity to neutralize major American and British units at the very onset of war. This book is an useful introduction to the coming of war in the Pacific.

The writing is gripping, the story is fascinating, and I highly recommend this book. The characters come alive with their roles in a complex chess game, not understanding what they were really dealing with with the Japanese. They sensed something was going to happen, but didn't anticipate where or when and didn't catch obvious signs. It was especially informative to read about the early stages of radar detection and decoding, and learn how that contributed (or didn't) to what eventually happened. It's almost as if the major players were paralyzed by their own personal histories, their unfortunate arrogance and their inability to see beyond their immediate roles. The depth of the research that went into this book must have been exhaustive, but it's thoroughness, accuracy and the conclusions the author was able to come to open up an entirely new view of why Pearl Harbor happened.

It is always interesting to revisit "things you already know about" because new facts lend new perspective. By looking at first person information from "The Twelve Days", the author expanded my knowledge of a time that included my birth. I had the privilege of hearing the author speak at the National Archives, bought two signed copies, and after reading one (couldn't put it down), had to buy two more to fill my gift list. This book is a well written and filled in voids and/or misperceptions in my knowledge. A great read.

Excellently written. Reads like a suspense/mystery story although we all know the outcome. It is a real cliff hanger - a page-turner. Exciting - I had a hard time putting it down. Excellent character development - you get a real feel for the major players, both American and Japanese. Thoroughly researched and footnoted - the Kindle edition, which I have, shows as 63% through the book when the story ends and the pictures and footnotes begin. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

Very informative, however it turned from a gripping read to one I just needed to finish, rather than one I couldn't put down.

Nothing new But I expected something more From a Pulitzer writer.

Lovely book and condition

A very useful addition to my Pearl Harbor attack library.

thanks