Customer Reviews

The Navajo Code Talkers (25th Anniversary Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read this several years ago, being shocked that at age 40 something, I had never heard of the part the Navajos had played in the war. This book will appeal to anyone interested in languages, secret codes, World War II, or obscure history. The photographs and illustrations are a wonderful enhancement. Great subject, great book...I've mentioned it to many people over the years, most of them as unaware (and some disbelieving)as I was of these Navajo heroes.

To say that the United States mistreated the Native Americans has already been established. This book shows that regardless of any mistreatment, the Navajo code talkers fulfilled their duties with honor and without question. This book shows the reader clearly how the Navajo language was used to help the United States defeat Japan during WWII. The recollections of their service to the United States are honest as well as very descriptive of the Navajo Indian's experience in WWII. This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in this often neglected chapter of WWII.

For those who were not aware of the Code Talkers, this book was an excellent first source once the information was declassified in 1968. As far as accuracy, I can assure the readers that the material is very accurate, as my father was one of the major sources quoted in the book. He was with the 4th Signal Company, Headquarter Bn, 4th Marine Division, and made all four campaigns that the 4th Marine Division was engaged in. As a squad leader, he worked with quite a few of the Navajo Code Talkers. He was always impressed with their dedication to the job, even when under heavy enemy fire. Please note that the movie "Windtalkers" was very inaccurate in regard to the Code Talkers and the battle of Saipan (the Code Talkers were never guarded as in the movie, with orders that they be shot if captured - however, they often had Anglo's with them since they were often suspected as being Japanese). Hopefully the Eastwood movie coming out soon, and based on "Flags of our Fathers", will be more accurate. Enjoy the book!

I read this several years ago, being shocked that at age 40 something, I had never heard of the part the Navajos had played in the war. This book will appeal to anyone interested in languages, secret codes, World War II, or obscure history. The photographs and illustrations are a wonderful enhancement. Great subject, great book...I've mentioned it to many people over the years, most of them as unaware (and some disbelieving)as I was of these Navajo heroes.

I work for the publisher of this book. There aren't a lot of our books that I get a chance to read, but this one has been a best-seller for 25 years now. So, of course, I have also read and enjoyed it. I'm pleased to spread the word that this book was a resource for the upcoming MGM movie, WINDTALKERS. Of course, the movie is a story, but the book is a historical account of how the intelligent, fierce-fighting Navajos became an invaluable resource to our military during WWII. Indeed, they helped go a long way toward swinging the tide of the war in the favor of the US.

If the release of the Code Talker-based movie was raised your interest in this subject, look no further than The Navajo Code Talkers by Doris A. Paul. This book was first published in 1973 and was the first, and is still the best, source of information on this subject. Learn the story behind the story. This is a must-read book. Do not accept imitations (or imitators)!

I have read every book written on the subject of Navajo code talkers and while this deserves kudos as being among the first, it is without question the most poorly organized and written. Also, there is a great deal of misinformation within these pages.

Do yourself a favor, read Navajo Weapon by Sally McCain instead. It is the best on the subject...well written and very well researched.

`The Navajo Code Talkers' was originally written in 1973 by Doris A. Paul. The text remains highly relevant today. As a former Marine it was very easy to relate to the transition from civilian life the Navajos experienced when entering boot camp. To make matters much worse for them, the Marine Corps way of instant willing obedience to orders and strict discipline was an extreme departure from their life on the open range of the reservation. Still, these Navajos felt a deep sense of duty to a country that had not treated their people well. Their first obligation was to protect their land and thereby their country from invasion. There were willing to put their lives on the line as Americans and proud Navajos. The concept of using the Navajo language as a secret code gave their mission a unique sense of purpose and value that all Americans should learn about and appreciate. There is no way to tell how many American lives were saved by the use of this unbreakable code.
The author's compelling research efforts received backing from countless code talkers, the officers and government leadership at the time. Many military and civilian historians supported the author's efforts to honor these men and to bring together the most detailed and complete account of their mission possible. I particularly enjoyed the many stories quoted from Navajo Code Talkers of their combat experiences. Along with the harrowing battle tales, there were snippets of humorous events that could only happen in such unique circumstances. Still, the great losses experienced during World War II left these men changed forever.
As a disabled American veteran of the Operation Iraqi Freedom war, I have a deep appreciation of the Navajo way of cleansing the spirit after returning from combat. The goal of the tribe is to completely restore the Navajo combat veteran to a normal way of life. The support these men received from the tribe is a wonderful example of how we should treat our veterans today. I'm very thankful for the author's efforts to document the history of such proud warriors as they represented our United States Marine Corps and the finest traditions of our great military. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about a great example of selfless service and sacrifice in a combat zone or about this unique mission that only the Navajo tribe could complete.
I received a complimentary copy of `The Navajo Code Talkers' by Doris A. Paul as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.
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I typically don't read history books. I gave this book four stars because of the inspiring content, but not because of the writing. The writing style and structure would be 2 stars. The structure of the book is somewhat clunky at times--but then again I don't read much history. That said, "The Navajo Code Talkers" by Doris A. Paul was an interesting read. I was not very familiar with the role that the Navajo people played in helping the U.S. during World War II. This book illustrates the integrity of the Navajo Code Talkers and their determination to serve the U.S. during WWII. The book gives an overview of how the secret program came to fruition, how the code worked, and the role the Navajos played during the war. Finally, the book concludes with the Code Talkers' experiences on returning from war, and how they were honored in later years.

For me, the best part of the book were the accounts of the individual experiences of some of the Code Talkers. Those individual accounts added interest to the reading, and helped show the inspiring character of the Navajo people.

I think every U.S. citizen should read this book. It shows the strength of a people who sacrificed much (including their lives) for the country that in many ways had previously wronged them. The reader comes to the conclusion that the Navajo are to be admired for their bravery, intelligence, and skill in helping the United States during WWII.

I received a complimentary copy of "The Navajo Code Talkers" as a member of the
Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com
to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

This is not typically the genre of book that I read. The Navajo Code Talkers by Doris A. Paul I have to say was interesting. I'm not a real history buff or war buff but I found the Navajo people were ready to step up to the plate to help defend this wonderful country. It amazes me to see how their language helped change the way communication was done during WWII. It had to be difficult for the Navajo Talkers to keep up with constantly changing code. I loved reading the translations of the code. The stories told by the code talkers were fun to read, they faced many hardships and resistance and still overcame them. There was one story about on of the talkers being captured by their own troops because they were mistaken for Japanese. How scary that must have bee. If you love war history this is a must read. On the downside of the book I found some of it a little boring but just because it isn't something that I would normally be interested in. History isn't my strong suit.
I received a complimentary copy of The Navajo Code Talkers as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.