Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Susan Wels (Author), Sir John Keegan (Introduction), Senator Daniel K. Inouye (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Unlike any other book, Pearl Harbor brings together in one magnificent edition the rich history, real-life stories, harrowing drama, and appalling tragedy of the Japanese attack on the United States' premier Pacific naval base. With a foreword by Senator Daniel K. Inouye and an introduction by preeminent military historian Sir John Keegan, Pearl Harbor imparts the rich historical background of the initial days of the Second World War, the dramatic events of the attack, and the enduring legacy of this wartime disaster. Pearl Harbor features over 200 archival photographs from American and Japanese sources, previously unpublished artifacts, military art rendered from eye-witness accounts of the attack, and full-color battle maps and diagrams.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

This lavishly illustrated book tells the story of Pearl Harbor through a robust and dramatic narrative, newly designed maps and illustrations, hundreds of archival photographs, and scores of historical artifacts. In a jarringly candid foreword, Senator Daniel K. Inouye recounts his personal experiences during the attack and the effect they had on him from that day forward. Sir John Keegan's introduction sets the historical context and provides keen insights on the event from a distinguished military historian's perspective. And best-selling author Susan Wels's compelling narrative transports the reader back to the darkest day in our nation's history. From the burgeoning conflict in Europe to the harrowing events on the morning of December 7, 1941, and their enduring impression on American memory, this book tells the story-tragic and yet inspiring-that we can never forget.

About the Author

Daniel K. Inouye is Hawaii's seven-term member of the U.S. Senate. Senator Inouye witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor when he was seventeen years old and was among the first Americans to assist with civilian casualties.

Sir John Keegan is the author of The Face of Battle, The Second World War, and A History of Warfare. Sir John was for many years the senior lecturer in military history at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He lives in Wiltshire, England.

Susan Wels is the author of Titanic: Legacy of the World’s Greatest Ocean Liner (Time-Life 1997), a thirteen-week New York Times bestseller and a Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselling book. She is currently writing a cultural history of the Titanic shipbuilding yards in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to be published in 2002 by New York’s Lebhar-Friedman Books.

Wels is also the author of Stanford: Portrait of a University, a new history of Stanford University published in October 1999. In addition, she has written ten other books, including The Story of Mothers and Daughters (Collins 1997); Jerusalem: In the Shadow of Heaven (Collins 1996); The Olympic Spirit: 100 Years of the Games (Collins 1995); Requiem for the Heartland (Collins 1995); The African Americans (Viking 1993); America: Then and Now (HarperCollins 1992); and Fifteen Seconds: The Great California Earthquake of 1989 (The Tides Foundation 1989).

In the summer of 1998, Wels spent a month and half on assignment in the North Atlantic as correspondent for the 1998 Titanic Research and Recovery Expedition, filing thirty-two daily Internet dispatches from the Titanic’s wreck. A former book and magazine editor, she has a B.A. in English literature and journalism from Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two daughters.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Time Life Education; illustrated edition edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737000996
• ISBN-13: 978-0737000993
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #683,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing photos AND a great read, June 3, 2001

By 

D. Lewis "dsatj" (Glendora, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day (Hardcover)

With the recent interest in Pearl Harbor bringing books out of the woodwork, I spent alot of time searching for a comprehensive summary of that "infamous" day. This coffee table book has it all. Stunning photography and wonderful writing. From the start, the forward by Senator Inouye brought tears to my eyes. I've gone over it cover to cover several times and its a treasure!! If you have interest in this important part of our country's history...buy this book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, and interesting, May 17, 2001

By 

"bookboarder" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day (Hardcover)

Pearl Harbor is a day that our nation will never forget, and this book helps those who weren't there understand why it is imperative to remember. This book draws up a landscape of history that is relevant to the incident, and discusses both prior and after effects of this notorious day.

The book is excellently done, encompassing informative material that allows people to understand many different aspects of the attack, and life at the base, both before and after.

If you enjoy US History, then this book is a wonderful addition to your collection. I keep going back to it to read about different aspects of not just Pearl Harbor, but World War II.

Since I am only 21 years old, it was difficult to grasp the human aspects of such an attack, but this book puts things into perspective.

I will always keep this book, not only as an informative guide, but also as a reminder of America's Darkest Day.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pearl Harbor -- America's Darkest Day, May 13, 2001

By 

Carlton F. (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day (Hardcover)

Great book! It made a great gift book for my WWII veteran father. The book, by Susan Wels, tells the story of Pearl Harbor from a full 360 degree view, from the earliest planning, to the end of the War. It is an amazing story, told through great writing, along with many dramatic photos -- many of which have apparently never been published before (one in particular of the attack in progress is just unbelieveable). This is the type of book that will work for a veteran of the Pacific war, as well as for a student who just wants to learn about what Pearl Harbor really means. It is all explained in great detail and through the many photos in this book...I know this book will do well once the movie hits the theatre...I bought it in advance for Father's day, but could not keep it from my dad...