Advance Force Pearl Harbor [Paperback]

Burl Burlingame (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

The Japanese submarine assault on Pearl Harbor, though not as well-known as the devastating air strike, had a significant impact on the chaos that was 7 December 1941. Drawn from American and Japanese sources, this page-turner of a book describes both the single-minded bravery of the submariners who carried out the attack and the valorous men in the destroyers who battled against them. It is the first comprehensive examination of the role played by the Imperial Navy's submarine force, a story that has been overlooked because the mission was not successful.

Infused with vivid firsthand accounts by participants, the narrative crackles with intrigue and suspense. The author covers every aspect of the campaign from submarine development, strategy, and espionage, to the Japanese military psyche and prisoners of war. One of the many interesting sidebars includes computer-enhanced images of a classic battle photo that reveals the previously unnoticed presence of midget submarines just off Battleship Row. Profiles of crewmembers lend a human dimension to the unique cadre of the Japanese submariner. Generously illustrated with more than 300 photographs and diagrams, this thoroughly researched volume restores the underwater attack at Pearl Harbor to its proper place in history and provides a riveting chronicle of the U.S. Navy's day of infamy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Burl Burlingame, a journalist, historian, and author based in Kailua, Hawaii, also designs museum exhibits for historical sites. He is the former curator and historian for the Pacific Aerospace Museum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; 1 edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557502110
• ISBN-13: 978-1557502117
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,895,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "I attacked Pearl Harbor", October 4, 2002

By 

Ron Martini (Sheridan, WY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Advance Force Pearl Harbor (Paperback)

"Advance Force Pearl Harbor" by Burl Burlingame. Trade paperback-481 pages from Naval Institute Press in 2002 from the original in 1992.
. This book is outstanding and is the only book detailing the attack on Pearl Harbor by the submarine force of Japan in December of 1941 and specifically by the 5 mini-boats carried there by the larger I boats.
. The detail and the research are superb. From the letters written by the crewmembers to their families in the days immediately proceeding the attack to their life stories. The lone survivor's story is detailed. He did spend some time in a camp in Wisconsin during the war. He was still alive in 1991 after having spent many years in Brazil as an executive for Toyota.
..The book also tells the stories of the USS Ward's attack on the mini submarine outside the harbor entrance and of all the other destroyers and smaller craft that plied those waters during that period.
..In addition, the book is full of pictures of both U.S. and Japanese ships, submarines and personnel. It is strange that the book was released in this edition just before one of the boats was found in the waters off Pearl Harbor this year.
..I rate the book 4 of 5 and recommend it. It is also very easy to read because of its unique columnar format.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than the title indicates, March 21, 2008

By 

Patrick Watson "Author of Watson's Really Big... (Redding, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advance Force Pearl Harbor (Paperback)

Although the author does an exceptional job of detailing the action in and around Pearl Harbor, what I found more interesting were events farther afield. The stories of ships attacked near the other islands and as far away as the West Coast of the United States. A great job of researching a largely unknown aspect of the beginning of America's war in the Pacific. I definitely recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars This gift was a hit!, February 1, 2010

By 

Patricia J. Lanz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Advance Force Pearl Harbor (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a birthday gift for my
brother-in-law. I believe he had it read within a
couple of days and liked it very much. He has
recommended it to the rest of the family.