Rating: 
Summary: The definitive account - but not perfect
Review: This book is the definite account of the japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and is especially good on providing us with the Japanese point of view. However, the book is not without its flaws. The authors have a point of view - and slant the material in that direction. They demolish the idea that FDR " betrayed" anyone or knew beforehand of the Japanese attack. However, they place too much blame on Kimmel and Short and not enough on FDR and the military men in Washington. Finally, the book could have been better edited and the prose tightened-up therebye dropping the wieght of the book to under five pounds.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent history - poor reading
Review: This book is wonderfully detailed, so much so, it becomes difficult reading. Most WWII enthusiasts will more than likely become bogged down with the mountain of details provided by Mr. Prange. If lacking patience and want WWII history which is more readable, I suggest works by Steven Ambrose.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book on the Peal Harbor attack
Review: This is a very good and very detailed book on the pearl harbor attack by the Japanese. It doesn't have an American spin on the attack, for it shows what the Japanese where after and why they attacked.
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Summary: We believe that this remains the definitive work on Pearl H.
Review: We have continued to research this subject. As of September 1998, our conclusions remain unchanged after eighteen years. We will continue to look at recently released documents from archives in Russia and England and update when necessary.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive work on Pearl Harbor? Perhaps it is...
Review: While science is my area of expertise, I have a continuing interest in history. That interest lead me to pick up Prange's book. Gordon Prange has devoted years to accumulating information about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. That information includes interviews and military and government information from the USA and Japan. That accumulated information was then boiled down into this final work -- completed after Prange's death.While there have been many books and theories proposed about why and how the debacle at Pearl Harbor took place, Prange's approach is well documented, and includes details of the pre-attack politics of the USA and of Japan. His book also includes detailed information about the attack itself, gleaned from interviews with those on both sides who actually participated in the event. But, even with that level of detail, I must admit that the most compelling part of the book for me is the section that follows the actual attack -- when the US government and the military were trying to figure out what actually happened, and who was to blame. The final series of chapters of the book provide insight into the thoughts and tactics of Adm. Kimmell (CincPAC) and Gen Short (Commanding General of army at Hawaii), the two primary "interested parties" in the event. Before reading the book, I had a tendency to believe that there may have been something of a conspiracy by the Roosevelt administration to get us into WWII, but after reading this account of Pearl Harbor, I am more likely to believe that the great success, including complete surprise by Japanese naval aviation was the result of a series of ill-advised decisions by the commanders at Hawaii rather than by any entity in Wash DC. The sticky point in the whole affair was "magic" the US's code-breaking machine that allowed us to monitor coded diplomatic messages sent between Tokyo and some of its embassies. While "magic" was the source of a great deal of information that may have resulted in a different outcome at Pearl Harbor if the commanders there had access to it, we will never really know. If you are interested in looking in repurcussions from the attack at Pearl Harbor, or if you have an interest in thinking about the whys and hows of the US entry into WWII, I urge you to read this book. The writing is passable, though sometimes quite dry. The information is well documented, and is believable. This is not, however, a quick read -- there is a lot of meat in this book to be digested as you go along. All in all an outstanding contribution to the telling of a sensitive piece of American history. 5 stars for content and believability. Alan Holyoak
Rating:
Summary: AN EXCELLENT IN-DEPTH ACCOUNT
Review: While there have been many books written on the story of Pearl Harbor, this is by far one of the most detailed accounts. The book portrays fair and accurate detail from all sides and all perspectives. Gordon Prange's analysis from pre-attack to aftermath is thorough and complete, leaving the reader with much to comtemplate and digest. I certainly found the book to be presented in an objective and analytic manner. The writing style is rather wordy and scattered; however, the content more than compensates for the lack of quality editing skills. If you are an avid war buff or have a personal interest in Pearl Harbour, you will want to read this book. It is, however, quite lengthy and thought-provoking; therefore, the type of book one wants to peruse and digest slowly.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough coverage of the post attack investigations
Review: Wonderfully researched and written, this book is a must read for anyone interested in Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The book moves slowly at first, but picks up as the Japanese begin to put plans and thoughts into action. Thoroughly researched and footnoted, the book covers the pre-war planning, the attack and the aftermath. I found the coverage of the post attack investigations and congressional hearings fascinating in light of the current 9/11 Commission. The author is fair and presents the facts in a manner that allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about the causes/failures/mistakes regarding the destruction of a large portion of the US Pacific Fleet.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough coverage of the post attack investigations
Review: Wonderfully researched and written, this book is a must read for anyone interested in Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The book moves slowly at first, but picks up as the Japanese begin to put plans and thoughts into action. Thoroughly researched and footnoted, the book covers the pre-war planning, the attack and the aftermath. I found the coverage of the post attack investigations and congressional hearings fascinating in light of the current 9/11 Commission. The author is fair and presents the facts in a manner that allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about the causes/failures/mistakes regarding the destruction of a large portion of the US Pacific Fleet.
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