Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath

How much of a surprise was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour? History has tended to blame the two commanders of Hawaii's military installations, Admiral Kimmel and General Short, for the unpreparedness of the Pacific Fleet for battle. However, a closer examination of the events leading up to the attack suggests that these two men were merely scapegoats and that the responsibility lies elsewhere - with Washington. Among the many questions explored in this superbly researched book are: why were America's supreme military commanders so lackadaisical about relaying vital information to their subordinates? Did Roosevelt actually know of the Japanese carrier force approaching Hawaii? Was the war with Japan necessary at all? Using the most recent documentary evidence and interviews with witnesses who have never spoken up before, John Toland has produced the most comprehensive account of this great drama.