Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII [Hardcover]

Chester Nez (Author), Judith Schiess Avila (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 6, 2011

The first and only memoir by one of the original Navajo code talkers of WWII-includes the actual Navajo Code and rare photos.
Although more than 400 Navajos served in the military during World War II as top-secret code talkers, even those fighting shoulder to shoulder with them were not told of their covert function. And, after the war, the Navajos were forbidden to speak of their service until 1968, when the code was finally declassified. Of the original twenty-nine Navajo code talkers, Chester Nez is the only one still alive. The original twenty-nine were the men who first devised the code, then proved it indispensable in combat.

In this memoir, the ninety-year-old Nez chronicles both his war years and his life growing up on the Checkerboard Area of the Navajo Reservation - the hard life that gave him the strength, both physical and mental, to become a Marine. His story puts a living face on the legendary men who developed what is still the only unbroken code in modern warfare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nez's fascinating memoir details...[keeping] U.S. transmissions safe from the Japanese during WWII...[R]eaders will be captivated by stories of Nez's childhood and his days as a Marine."
Publisher's Weekly

"You don't need to be a fan of World War II literature to appreciate this memoir by Chester Nez and his co-author Judith Schiess Avila, a code talker scholar."
Associated Press (AP)

"A unique, inspiring story by a member of the Greatest Generation."
Kirkus Reviews  (The World's Toughest Book Critics)

From the Author

I met my friend, Navajo code talker Chester Nez, more than four years ago.  Writing Chester's memoir has changed both of our lives for the better.   I have gained a second family, and Chester is pleased that people will know the story of himself and his fellow Navajos, the WWII code talkers.  It is a story that remained a secret for too long.  We hope that you will enjoy reading our book as much as we enjoyed writing it!!

The book's dedication says a lot about the focus of the book and Chester's desire to have all code talkers recognized:

This book is dedicated to the 420 World War II Navajo Marine code talkers - men who developed and implemented an unbreakable communications system that helped ensure the American defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific War. 

  When the war ended, other combatants were free to discuss their roles in the service and to receive recognition for their actions.  But the Marines instructed us, the code talkers, to keep our accomplishments secret. We kept our own counsel, hiding our deeds from family, friends and acquaintances.  Our code was finally declassified in 1968, twenty-three years after the war's end.

This book may be my story, but it is written for all of these men. 

May they and their loved ones walk in beauty.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; First Edition edition (September 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425244237
• ISBN-13: 978-0425244234
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Native American

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Code Talker is a "must read" September 7, 2011

By Karen Matthews

Format:Kindle Edition

Code Talker
Memoir of the last original code talker, Chester Nez as told to Judith Schiess Avila

This is a story that truly has something for everyone. History, touching human drama and Native American experiences woven brilliantly into a beautifully written story that restores your faith in the strength and courage of humanity.
Sometimes a hero bursts upon the scene like Superman leaping over a tall building in a single bound. But sometimes a hero puts one foot in front of the other to face the trials and challenges of life with courage, faith and quiet dignity.
Chester Nez spent most of his life as one of those unknown heroes. His footsteps took him from the Navajo reservation where he was born to the school where he was forbidden to speak his native language. When he left school to join the marines those footsteps took him to the shores of Guadalcanal in World War II.
Using the Navajo language he became a member of the team that developed the only code the Japanese were unable to break. This system enabled the US to communicate plans that helped bring victory earlier and saved countless lives.
But there was no welcoming parade for Nez when the war was over, he returned to face the prejuidice of living as a minority. The role of the code talkers remained secret for decades.
After meeting Nez, Avila also put one foot in front of herself for four years to bring his unique personal story to light. The years spent interviewing Nez, researching and polishing this story were well spent. Her first book is considered to be an "important work" by historians and a "great read" in general.
The human interest of this compelling story makes it a perfect choice for anyone simply looking for a good book. The historical content makes it a double header. Add fascinating insights into the life of a Native American and anyone who enjoys a great book will feel like they hit the trifecta with this one. It is a page turner that is as readable as it is informative. I just hope that this is only the first of what will be many books by this exceptionally talented emerging author.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story of the Navajo culture and the bravery of the Code Talkers September 30, 2011

By Nataly Kelly

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Imagine what it must be like to be told that your culture and people are inferior, and that you must never speak the language of your parents and ancestors. Every time you try to speak it, you're punished in school.

Then, the next thing you know, the government is relying on you to develop a code within that forbidden language. A code so difficult to crack that even members of your own culture who speak the language will not be able to understand what it means.

Chester Nez describes it best:

"The officer wasted no time. He looked around the room at each of us, the twenty-nine carefully selected Marine recruits, and told us we were to use our native language to devise an unbreakable code. I read expressions of shock on every face. A code based on our language? After we'd been so severely punished in boarding school for speaking it?"

Chester is the last living representative of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. The code language he and his fellow recruits developed and used in battle was one of the most closely guarded secrets of the war. Historians agree that without it, the outcome of the war would have been completely different.

This month, Chester published his memoir, based on 80 hours of interviews with Judith Schiess Avila. Chester's story, not to mention his ability to stay calm while interpreting, is definitely worth reading.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Be very careful .... September 29, 2011

By Gerald Beeler Jr.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can only advise prospective readers to be very careful if you have work that has to be done ... you will NOT want to put this book down once you start reading. As a former high school teacher I wish that this book was required reading for every teen. The work ethic, dedication, and moral character demonstrated by Chester Nez is genuinely inspirational. I learned a great deal about the Navajo culture and values, and how these values were integral to their success in battle, and their entire life. The campaigns on Guadalcanal, Guam, Peleliu and Bougainville owe a great deal of their success to the actions of the Navajo Code Talkers. Many of the code talkers have gone to their reward unable to relate their invaluable contribution to winning the war in the Pacific. We, as Americans, are truly fortunate that Chester Nez finally told the story of these incredible individuals.

Semper Fi, Chester ... I can only hope that some day I may have the honor of meeting you.