Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy - An Illustrated History [Hardcover]

Dan Van Der Vat (Author), John McCain (Introduction), Tom Freeman (Painter)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2001

Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed it "A day that will live in infamy"-December 7, 1941, the one date from the Second World War that almost every American knows by heart. Pearl Harbor is the definitive illustrated account of that momentous day. No other battle of the Pacific War was better documented in photographs than was Pearl Harbor. Everyone has seen some of these images, but few are aware of just how many there are-including many that have never been published. Official government photographers were busy that morning, but so were countless service personnel and shocked civilians. Even the Japanese navy photographed their preparations and the launch of the attack fleet. The visual record of the day includes not just stunning black-and-white shots but also vivid color photos showing the American fleet under attack and burning. Pearl Harbor makes lavish use of these historical photos to vividly re-create what it felt like to be there during every key moment of the battle. A compelling narrative by noted naval historian Dan Van der Vat explains the causes and background of the attack. Moving first-person reminiscences of persons who were there-Japanese and Americans, military and civilians, adults and children-give the pictures even greater immediacy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With photographs, paintings by Tom Freeman, and soldier and civilian testimonies, Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy An Illustrated History memorializes a day of bitterness, sorrow and resolve for many Americans. Author Dan van der Vat (The Good Nazi) finds that "America's worst military disaster" became "her greatest triumph." Sen. John McCain's introduction expresses no ill will toward the Japanese, and van der Vat tells part of the story from the points of view of various Japanese soldiers: e.g., the ensign who bombed the U.S.S. Oklahoma, a bomber pilot who "had never felt so scared" and afterward "felt so sad and lonely to see all the empty beds."

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"... will serve to enlighten a new generation about the events of 7 December 1941... We will encourage its reading." -- --General Eric K. Shinseki, General, United States Army

"...the best book on the subject ever produced... detailed without being academic, exciting without being melodramatic and highly accurate." -- -- Statesman Journal [5/27/02]

"For someone totally unfamiliar with the episode -- and many Americans are -- "Pearl Harbor" is a good place to start." -- --Jim Omicinski, Gannett News Service [5/16/01]

"If you want a good book about that day of infamy...here's the one to buy." -- --The Arizona Republic 5/6/01

"Most moving are the dozens of eyewitness accounts by survivors, including some from Japanese airmen." -- -- Commentary [6/1/01]

"The clear, interesting narrative briefly sets the scene... then leads you through the events of the attack..." -- -- Bookpage [6/1/01]

'Pearl Harbor, The Day of Infamy' is the best single-volume, layman's history of the attack available. There's no competition." -- --Honolulu Star-Bulletin [5/20/01]

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465089828
• ISBN-13: 978-0465089826
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,560 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true memorial to those you were there., May 13, 2001

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy - An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

December 7, 1941 is one of the most famous days in American History. For me most of what I know about has either come from books or movies. I did visit the Arizona Memorial when I was in the Navy and nothing compares to the feeling you get when you are there.

This book is more that a history with pictures, it tells small stories about the men and women who were there and what they went through. It shows photographs of the battles, the ships, the men the Americans and the Japanese, simply put it was a great reading.

There are over 200 pictures and some of them have never been seen before this book. Also there are paintings and the stories are told in the first person to give you the feeling of actually being there.

While the event is 60 years old the memories last a lifetime and this book will make a great addition to my personal library. Now when my kids ask about that faithful day I can open up this book and show them.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Illustrated Look at the Day of Infamy, July 14, 2005

By 

Jeffrey T. Munson (Dixon, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy - An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Author Dan Van Der Vat has done an excellent job in examining the attack on Pearl Harbor in a photographic context. This book contains numerous photos of the attack, both in black and white and color, along with informative maps and drawings. The narrative is very good and provides an authoritative, minute-by-minute account of the attack.

Oral histories from both Japanese and American personnel, as well as Hawaiian civilians are also included. These exciting testimonies give the reader a true sense of what it was like to be at Pearl Harbor during the attack. From a captured Japanese midget submarine crewman to American sailors and airmen, their stories are brought to life inside the book.

One section I found especially interesting was the list of casualties included at the back of the book. One look at the size and length of this section will make the reader realize just how tragic and costly December 7, 1941 was for the United Staes armed forces.

Finally, the photos of the USS Arizona memorial, with the "Mighty Mo" serving as a guard, bring a poignant end to the book, and lets the reader know that December 7 will never be forgotten.

I highly recommend this book. I've read numerous books on this subject, and I was very impressed with the quality of the photos as well as the accompanying text. As a stand-alone volume or companion to another book, this work of history deserves its place as one of the best books on the subject of Pearl Harbor. Look through the photographs and get a true sense of what the Day of Infamy was really like.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice consequence to an awful film, July 29, 2006

By 

Michael N. Ryan (Bel AIr, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy - An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

So many expected Ben Affleck's Pearl Harbor movie to be a blockbuster like Titanic that quite a few decided to go for the coat tails. As a consequence, many new books were written on the subject.

This is one of the best of those books published. Nicely written. Very informative. Well illustrated both with period photographs adn original artwork.

A must have for anyone interested in this subject.