A detailed review of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Day of Shame that saw the United States enter World War II. In this first comprehensive study of Pearl Harbor since the early 1990s, the respected naval historian of the Pacific War, Mark E. Stille, traces the path to war and the Japanese attack. He examines the role of the man behind the operation, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the plan. The American preparations for the attack are also carefully reviewed.

The heart of the book is a comprehensive account of Pearl Harbor, along with an assessment of its outcomes, placed in the appropriate perspective. Like many of the significant campaigns of the Pacific War, many myths surround the Battle of Pearl Harbor, and, among others, Mark explores and deconstructs the myth of Yamamoto as a military genius, as well as the myth that the attack was highly planned. While it has been regarded as a masterpiece attack, Mark argues in his book that the attack was actually a tactical disappointment, an operational failure, and a strategic disaster.

Pages: 448, Year of Publication: 0303, Dimensions: 16.2x16.2cm