Review
Original, astonishing, riveting - this stunning book is a warning to today's world. The authors trace the direct line between the Kamikaze and the Al-Qaeda fighters. Both engaged in suicide missions and reaped their rewards in the next world. The Kamikaze became gods and the Al-Qaeda warriors entered paradise. Base on new sources, this is a chilling story masterfully told.' – Martin McCauley, formerly Professor of Politics, University of London
'Fascinating...poignant, horrifying, sad, and heart wrenching. This book is not only about the Kamikaze but about Japanese conceptions of loyalty, duty, sacrifice and death.' – Gerald L. Curtis, Professor of Politics, Columbia University
'This well written and meticulously researched book...evokes haunting memories of the tragic last days of the war and offers provocative insights into the problems of terrorism today' – Admiral James A. Lyons (ret.), former Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet
'Whatever one may think of the ruthless militarists who ordered them into battle, the tragic fate of the young Tokkotai suicide pilots - many of them among Japan's "best and brightest" - deserves both pity and respect. The authors have presented a fascinating portrait of who these young pilots were and why they willingly went to their deaths in the service of Emperor Hirohito, near the close of a war which was long past winning' – Frank Gibney, US lecturer and Japan expert, author of Japan
'Not being an admirer of zealotry, I find it hard to think of the Kamikaze as anything other than misguided young men. This does not mean that their story is not remarkable. Here it is told with skill and vigor. I could not tell it as well myself.' – Edward Seidensticker, Japan expert and translator of The Tale of Genji
From the Back Cover
¿Original, astonishing, riveting ¿ this stunning book is a warning to today¿s world. The authors trace the direct line between the Kamikaze and the Al-Qaeda fighters. Both engaged in suicide missions and reaped their rewards in the next world. The Kamikaze became gods and the Al-Qaeda warriors entered paradise. Based on new sources, this is a chilling story masterfully told.¿ Martin McCauley, formerly Professor of Politics, University of London
¿Fascinating¿poignant, horrifying, sad, and heart wrenching. This book is not only about the Kamikaze but about Japanese conceptions of loyalty, duty, sacrifice and death.¿ Gerald L. Curtis, Professor of Politics, Columbia University
¿This well written and meticulously researched book¿.evokes haunting memories of the tragic last days of the war and offers provocative insights into the problems of terrorism today¿ Admiral James A. Lyons (ret.), former Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet
¿Whatever one may think of the ruthless militarists who ordered them into battle, the tragic fate of the young Tokkotai suicide pilots ¿ many of them among Japan¿s "best and brightest" ¿ deserves both pity and respect. The authors have presented a fascinating portrait of who these young pilots were and why they willingly went to their deaths in the service of Emperor Hirohito, near the close of a war which was long past winning¿ Frank Gibney, US lecturer and Japan expert, author of Japan
¿Not being an admirer of zealotry, I find it hard to think of the Kamikaze as anything other than misguided young men. This does not mean that their story is not remarkable. Here it is told with skill and vigor. I could not tell it as well myself.¿ Edward Seidensticker, Japan expert and translator of The Tale of Genji
