Infamy: Pearl Harbor And Its Aftermath [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

John Toland (Author), Jill Masters (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1986

The events of Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, have always been shrouded in mystery. The bombs had scarcely stopped falling before Americans of every stripe were calling for an investigation.

INFAMY is John Toland's contribution to the literature. It is a fascinating and disturbing chronicle that confronts the most important questions, such as, why were Short and Kimmel not given vital information from the broken Japanese codes? Could President Roosevelt have known of the approaching carrier force and have made a decision not to act?

"This is history at its best: spies and suspense, wide- spread irresponsibility, and an international diplomatic game whose players tragically miscalculated the odds-- at an untold cost in lives." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The controversial, best-selling investigation of the events surrounding Pearl Harbor acclaimed as "a shocking account of judgments distorted by politics and career hunger and racism . . . fascinating reading."--Los Angeles Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

8 1.5-hour cassettes

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Books on Tape, Inc.; Unabridged edition (November 17, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736610413
• ISBN-13: 978-0736610414
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,861,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was stunned at testimonies of those involved in the matter, September 15, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Diego, Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Infamy: pearl harbor and its aftermath (Paperback)

As the grandson of a good man who died at Pearl Harbor on the U.S.S Utah, in his sleep, I have a special interest in this topic.

Firstly, did we know about the attack before it occurred? Secondly, how did our government deal with the uproar of the time that enraged our nation and drove us into the Pacific War with a blood-lust for vengeance. The shout of "Remember Pearl Harbor" was our Battle Cry and for good reason.

Thirdly, I have found this book to be very specific and detailed, with information I had not previously been able to acquire, I.E: Interviews with the Naval Intelligence Officer who actually translated the Japanese "Winds" code prior to the attack, and who was prohibited from testifying at the Official Congressional, Army and Navy Hearings that comprise the "official" record as we have been handed it.

This is a book that helps us all make our own minds up about who was responsible for the fact that we were caught sleeping, literally, when war was imminent and on the way to our Pacific outposts in early December of 1941. I give it 5 Eagle, Globe and Anchors for the Pearl Harbor History Buff in search of the "real" story that led us to War in the Pacific.

Ronald Hinton USMC/Retired

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lessons about bureaucracy, May 10, 2009

By 

Andrew Terhune "Andrew Terhune" (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Infamy: pearl harbor and its aftermath (Paperback)

My opinion differs from many of the others here. I don't think that one needs to draw any conclusion from the book. Indeed, I don't think you can. Accept it for what it is, a well written story that pokes holes in the accepted wisdom. Given the amount of time that has passed and the deaths of all the principles, it is unlikely that we'll ever "know" the whole truth. But in showing us that we can never know, Toland has performed a valuable service.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Master Historian Turns to Pearl Harbor, June 2, 2008

By 

Todd and In Charge (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Infamy: pearl harbor and its aftermath (Paperback)

I agree with those who have already noted John Toland's superior research and writing skills, which are very much in evidence in this gripping, masterful account.

But as a lawyer I wanted to highlight how enjoyable and fascinating are the behind-the-scenes accounts of the various Pearl Harbor tribunals, which pinned guilt perhaps wrongly on some of the accused. I was particularly interested in famed Boston attorney Charles Rugg's defense of Admiral Kimmel, and the legal tactics employed to best make use of the otherwise secret cables and testimony that Rugg assembled on Kimmel's behalf.

A great account, and an inside look from a master historian of WWII, this one is a no-brainer for anyone interested in WWII history.