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.
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"What a surprise. An old Navy veteran friend of mine in the neighborhood recommended this one and so I read it based on friendship rather than interest. I really got into it. It is the story of Pearl Harbor from the Japanese perspective written in an engaging style which the authors call "active history". It is full of dialouge and character development. It is written with a similar style to "Killer Angels". The only problem with it is that you don't know what really happened and what is the active history part. A good read."
— Ben (4 out of 5 stars)
“Begins what will be a fascinating alternative history of the war in the pacific.”
— Roanoke Times“The authors’ research shines in accurate accounts of diplomatic maneuvering as well as the nuts-and-bolts of military action…[and] bigger-picture issues.”
— Publishers Weekly“The authors skillfully mix historical and fictional characters in an enjoyable and thought-provoking tale.”
— Library Journal“Gingrich and Forstchen roll out the first installment in their eagerly anticipated World War II series. As they did in their bestselling Civil War series, they rewrite history, providing alternative scenarios that parallel actual events…Gingrich and Forstchen won’t disappoint their previously established audience of military fiction enthusiasts.”
— BooklistWith each book in their ongoing alternate history cycle, Gingrich and Forstchen have gone from strength to strength as storytellers. Unabashedly, this is a work of popular historical fiction; it aspires to entertain, first and foremost, but it has passages of genuine depth and poetry.
— William Trotter, The Charlotte Observer" Novelized history of the runup to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Very interesting reading on a trip to Hawaii, but not a thriller as might be expected. "
— Kathyred, 2/18/2014" Gripping- Fascinating persepectives on WW@ fro the Japanese view "
— Barry, 2/12/2014" I learned a lot about what about the Japanese culture and what were thinking and why they attacked. The story was interesting and at a good space. I am glad that I read it. "
— Tom, 1/22/2014" a very good account for what happened from a history point of view.also,the japanese point of view of the attack and what led up to it "
— John, 1/11/2014" I read this to see if it was like the movie. I am surprised to say it was rather good. The way the characters went it was spot on for the movie. it is one of the rare books that i really liked "
— Laura, 1/9/2014" New alternate history by these excellent authors. "
— Neil, 1/9/2014" Very similar to Gettysburg as an alternate history novel. Well done with great detail. "
— Al, 1/7/2014" This book was very obviously rushed to print. Some of the proofing mistakes that got through are unbelievable. As a previous reviewer noted, the writing is quite amateurish. That being said, it was a well-paced and well-researched novel. "
— Rachel, 1/3/2014" A novel of alternate history, this book describes what would've happened if the Japanese returned for a third strike on December 7. In the third strike, Pearl Harbor is completely destroyed. Only the carriers which were out at sea survived. "
— Mark, 12/1/2013" I wish Gingrich would stop this running for office nonsense (yes, we DESPERATELY need a change from the current administration, but not Gingrich, imho) and write more! "
— Autumn, 11/29/2013" Surprisingly not as neocon as I would have expected. Good read. Will read the next one. "
— Chris, 11/18/2013" Provides overview of events leading up to war from Japan's perspective. Is it biased, I don't know, but seems to be informative and was entertaining "
— Wilson, 10/28/2013" READ RIGHT BEFORE VISITING PEARL HARBOR. VERY INFORMATIVE. "
— Martha, 10/4/2013" HATED this book. Characters were flat - couldn't have cared less about them. This is the only book in my life I have ever burned. "
— Eileen, 9/5/2013" Excellent book, if you like history. I learned alot of new background as to what led up to the Japanese strike on Pearl Harbor. "
— Misty, 8/3/2013" Who knew Newt Gingrich could write. Interesting historical fiction of Pearl Harbor where the authors change key facts which impacted the outcome. "
— Beth, 2/27/2013" Very interesting and fast moving account of alternate history of Pearl Harbor. "
— Tamara, 2/10/2013" I know--Newt Gingrich! But it's an interesting take on what one slight change might have done to one of the most important days in history (but helps if you know quite a bit about Pearl Harbor, so you notice the change). "
— Beth, 1/14/2013" Good read. Fiction mixed with history, true accounts-both sides "
— Deborah, 10/9/2012" I liked this book, but half way through I had to put it down to finish a R.S. lesson, and I have had NO desire to pick it back up. I will probably finish it when I don't have anything else to read. It is sad, because I really liked reading it. "
— Temaire', 8/16/2012" Good read. Tells the story I wish we could've seen in the movie Pearl Harbor. "
— Jon, 8/10/2012" While I detested the man's politics and personal life, I have enjoyed his historical novels. This book gives a good amount of insight into the Japanese position of the attack on Pearl Harbor and their expansionist policies pre-dating WWII. "
— Alan, 6/18/2012" This book is written with an interesting concept. The authors decided to play 'what if' with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They moved & added ships, and other specifics. It drove me nuts! "
— Glenajo, 5/13/2012" HATED this book. Characters were flat - couldn't have cared less about them. This is the only book in my life I have ever burned. "
— Eileen, 4/14/2011" Written from three perspectives an american an englishman and a japanese pilot who were all friends. "
— Scott, 4/13/2011" This book is written with an interesting concept. The authors decided to play 'what if' with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They moved & added ships, and other specifics. It drove me nuts! "
— Glenajo, 9/25/2010" Surprisingly not as neocon as I would have expected. Good read. Will read the next one. "
— Chris, 3/24/2010" Politics aside Newt writes some good histories "
— Todd, 2/6/2010" Good read. Fiction mixed with history, true accounts-both sides "
— Deborah, 1/6/2010" Man this was a great book. I love the twists that are added, and really I felt that the story telling was just wonderful. It's an "alternate history" book by the way...so don't go take any history exams after reading it. "
— Dan, 11/2/2009" Very similar to Gettysburg as an alternate history novel. Well done with great detail. "
— Al, 10/14/2009" Interesting premise--What if there had been a 3rd attack--but the most poorly edited book I've ever read. Chock full of typos and grammatical errors. These made it difficult for me to enjoy the story. Also got bogged down following several characters that just weren't that interesting. <br/> "
— Diane, 9/5/2009Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and 2012 presidential candidate. He is chairman of Gingrich 360, a multimedia production and consulting company based in Arlington, Virginia. He is also a Fox News contributor and author of forty-two books, including many New York Times bestsellers.
William R. Forstchen has a PhD from Purdue University with specializations in Military History and the History of Technology. He is a Faculty Fellow and Professor of History at Montreat College. He is the author of fifty books, including the New York Times bestselling John Matherson series, the Lost Regiment series, and the award-winning young adult novel We Look Like Men of War. He has also authored numerous short stories and articles about military history and military technology.
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.