At Dawn We Slept : The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor

New York, NY, U.S.A.: Viking Penguin, 1983. Trade Paperback. Near Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Fifty years after the attack that plunged America into World War II, At Dawn We Slept remains the greatest account of Pearl Harbor ever written. This gripping study scrupulously reconstructs the Japanese attack, from its conception (less than a year before the actual raid) to its lightning execution; and it reveals the true reason for the American debacle: the insurmountable disbelief in the Japanese threat that kept America from heeding advance warnings and caused leaders to ignore evidence submitted by our own intelligence sources. Based on thirty-seven years of intense research and countless interviews, and incorporating previously untranslated documents, At Dawn We Slept is history with the dramatic sweep of a martial epic. At Dawn We Slept tells the complete tale of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor from its inception through its completion, and the aftermath for both sides in this conflict. It examines the planning stages of the raid on the Japanese end and explains the point of view for each of the major players in this drama. An exceptional amount of time is given to the interrelationships of Admiral Yamamoto, General Tojo, the Emperor, and Japanese politics in the ultimate decision to proceed along the path to war. The author examines the role of such well-known figures as Admiral Kimmel, General Short, Secretary Hull, Ambassador Grew and President Roosevelt. He doesn't stop at this point, but instead follows up with reviews of personnel at all ranks and positions in the armed forces. Prange attempts to determine or stipulate who really was to blame? In this aspect, the War Department and the commanders, Kimmel and Short, are held responsible. Prange comes down hard on the War Department for failing to notify the commanders of the intercepted 'bomb plot' message. Kimmel and Short both grossly misinterpreted the 'War Warning' message dated November 27, 1941, sent to them by Washington. Kimmell, the naval commander, felt that the security of the base was all up to the Army, while Short, the commander of the Army felt that the Navy was supposed to provide the long range reconnaissance. Both commanders kept asking Washington for more planes and personnel, all the while Kimmell was losing ships to the war in the Atlantic. Short only alerted his troops against possible sabotage and maintained his training schedule, which was so routine that few initially believed the attack was real. This is an excellent book that examines the background to the Pearl Harbor attack, and does not detail the attack itself. This book takes an in depth look at the men and the assumptions that made Pearl Harbor. But be warned, it is very wordy and a task in of itself to read. At 873 pages with more names than one can reasonably remember, it is highly recommended that you take notes on the key players for a reference while reading. In all, a must read historical account at what could easily repeat itself in today’s world of terrorism and you will quickly recognize that the same flaws that led to this attack exist in every government agency today. An eye opener, once you’re done reading it, that anyone who works in security of our nation should read. Some rubbing on top & bottom & edges of spine and some places on outside edges. Spine is creased. Prev. owners name on second page. 1/2" ink scribble on front cover. A 5" crease on rear cover across the bottom left corner..