Rating: 
Summary: A remarkable book about a pivotal "Day of Infamy"
Review: "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." -- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941.Pearl Harbor. Very few place names in the U.S. evoke still-vivid memories of shocking violence, death, destruction, and a sense that America and her place in the world would never be the same afterwards. In our lifetimes, perhaps only Dallas, Manhattan and Washington, D.C. will rival Pearl Harbor as an existing location where memories of cataclysmic events will overshadow the present. For just as the Pentagon has been repaired and the World Trade Center will be rebuilt after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Pearl Harbor is still a bustling -- if somewhat quieter -- naval base in the Pacific. Yet, say the name and you'll conjure up newsreel footage of the USS Arizona exploding and Japanese bombers attacking Battleship Row on what had previously been a quiet Sunday morning. Walter Lord, author of such acclaimed narratives as A Night to Remember, A Time to Stand, and Incredible Victory, tells very human stories of heroism and sacrifice as he recounts the events of December 7, 1941 from both American and Japanese perspectives. His clear and descriptive narrative, his masterful use of interviews with survivors and material from the vast amount of historical records, and his decision to focus the book's focus on the events of the evening of Dec. 6 and the "day of infamy" itself make this a fine literary starting point for readers who want to learn the Pearl Harbor story without having to wade through books that deal with all the preliminaries (such as At Dawn We Slept) or try to revise history (John Toland's Infamy) to pin the blame on President Roosevelt. All in all, for a book that was first published in the late 1950s, Day of Infamy is still considered one of the best popular histories about a World War II event, and I strongly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than "Pearl Harbor" the Movie
Review: "Day of Infamy" is one of those books that every World War II buff must read to get the "complete" picture of the war. I have read my fair share of books on WWII maily by great writers like Stephen Ambrose. Lord's book gives clear, minute by minute details that led up to the war and its subsequent aftermath. I really enjoyed how he delved into the Japanese side and explained their reasons for going to war with the U.S. This book is definitely not "one-sided" because we hear both sides of the story. The book was not meant to create a rosy, heroic picture of the war, but to portray it for what it was...a battle that was fought by men who for their own reasons, felt it was the right thing to do. If you like a book that is full of detail and keeps you at the edge of your seat, than this is a book worth reading. In "Pearl Harbor" the movie's defense, they tried to make the movie as accurate as possible and I hear they used "Day of Infamy" as a blueprint for the historical integrity of the film. However, the movie could have gotten rid of the "Titanic-esque" boredome that dominated for the first half of the movie. In "Day of Infamy" there is no romance, just the plain facts. I know the reader will enjoy this book as I did.
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable book about a pivotal "Day of Infamy"
Review: "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." -- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941. Pearl Harbor. Very few place names in the U.S. evoke still-vivid memories of shocking violence, death, destruction, and a sense that America and her place in the world would never be the same afterwards. In our lifetimes, perhaps only Dallas, Manhattan and Washington, D.C. will rival Pearl Harbor as an existing location where memories of cataclysmic events will overshadow the present. For just as the Pentagon has been repaired and the World Trade Center will be rebuilt after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Pearl Harbor is still a bustling -- if somewhat quieter -- naval base in the Pacific. Yet, say the name and you'll conjure up newsreel footage of the USS Arizona exploding and Japanese bombers attacking Battleship Row on what had previously been a quiet Sunday morning. Walter Lord, author of such acclaimed narratives as A Night to Remember, A Time to Stand, and Incredible Victory, tells very human stories of heroism and sacrifice as he recounts the events of December 7, 1941 from both American and Japanese perspectives. His clear and descriptive narrative, his masterful use of interviews with survivors and material from the vast amount of historical records, and his decision to focus the book's focus on the events of the evening of Dec. 6 and the "day of infamy" itself make this a fine literary starting point for readers who want to learn the Pearl Harbor story without having to wade through books that deal with all the preliminaries (such as At Dawn We Slept) or try to revise history (John Toland's Infamy) to pin the blame on President Roosevelt. All in all, for a book that was first published in the late 1950s, Day of Infamy is still considered one of the best popular histories about a World War II event, and I strongly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Pearl and its Participants
Review: After reading a library-full of books seeking to place blame, as history and polemic, Walter Lord's account of Dec. 7, 1941 is a compelling narrative of the emotional gamut from innocence to bitter tragedy of that pivotal day in American history. As a trained historian and reader of many of Lord's other books, I was surprised somewhat at the story-telling modus. Those who have enjoyed the methods of Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day and Stephen Ambrose's Citizen Soldiers will find themselves amidst the unpeeling of emotional numbness that years of Depression and isolationism had left on the psyches of those whose stories unfold in Lord's able prosaic style. His ability to bring excitement and vivid characterization to history, without losing his factual focus, has long been evident in Incredible Victory, his artistic telling of the unlikely American smashing of the Japanese fleet at Midway, and his other books. It is his choice, not his inability to make conclusions, which gives the book its human punch. Lord chooses to relate the impact of the startling events of that day on the high of rank and the swab, using personal primary sources to supplant official chronologies. He draws his readers into the chaos and heroism and tragedy, letting us react and come to conclusions, as the accumulation of individual experiences allows us. Those looking for fodder with which to exonerate or indict from prior opinion will probably not find the key to their cases in this book. Those wanting a heart-stopping chapter of the human experience, at its most uncommon best and worst, are in for a great read. It is a very appropriate view of historic events for our time, when we have become accustomed to learning the backgrounds and reactions of our fellows involved in national tragedy, in which we share vicariously and emotionally, but look to find a more concrete point of common reference.
Rating:
Summary: Great insights into personal experiences
Review: After recently watching the much hyped movie Pearl Harbor, I realize my knowledge of the history of Pearl Harbor was woefully lacking. My search for information led me to this wondeful book by Walter Lord. Rather than a historical narrative of dry facts, it is a collection of individual stories, relating the experiences of the common ordinary soldier, sailor, marine, or civilian in the hours before the attack through the end of the day on 12/7/41. Some of the tales are heroic, some comical, and many tragic, but they are all fascinating. One of the things that struck me was number of people who couldn't comprehend the fact they were under attack by an enemy force, even as bombs and bullets rained down on them. And the wild tales and rumors that spread throughout Hawaii in the aftermath of the attack are just incredible and laughable looking back on it now. For those wanting more of a general overview of the battle, and a listing of historical facts, they may be disappointed by this book. But I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about the people involved on that fateful day.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate book about Pearl Harbor.
Review: I read this book in the seventies, and I just reread it. Prange's book may have a lot more detail, but for a quick and easy read about this historic event, read Lord's book. He is a master at presentation, not only on this book, but his two on the Titanic. The individuals shines through in his book, and it is most interesting to see how they react to the Japanese attack. I was especially interested in the Japanese suicide submarines attempt in the attack.
Rating:
Summary: A solid read
Review: I think this book really gives an immediacy to the pearl harbor attack that brings it to exciting and tragic life. The hour by hour chapter structure and detailed info from interviews with survivors helps to accomplish this sense of immediacy. Some of the naval vessels may not be familiar to modern readers without some sort of military knowledge, but this is a worthwhile read nonetheless.
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Summary: The Common People's Pearl Harbor
Review: In "Day Of Infamy" Walter Lord gives the reader an insight into the events of December 7, 1941 as seen through the eyes of the participants themselves, Japanese and American, naval, military and civilian. Someone did extensive research for this book. Although the brass are not ignored, most of the observations reported are those of the common people involved. We read the observations of Japanese admirals, pilots and a midget submarine captain. On the American side we see through the eyes of sailors who barely escaped from ships, who struggled to return to their posts and who responded with anti-aircraft fire. Soldiers and airmen, both those on the ground and those flying into the war, tell their stories. Housewives seeking shelter and searching for their children and contribute their the stories. The impressions of children also add to the richness of the book.
I found particular interest in the misconceptions which occurred during and after the raid. Knowing what we know now, the extent of disbelief is surprising, but understandable. The number of service personnel and civilians who thought that the raid was a drill in which live ammunition was mistakenly used is shocking. Many thought that Naval and Air Corps personnel would be in real trouble. After the raid the wild rumors of further attacks and invasions seems incredible, but it is understandable given the shock of the attack.
At the end, Lord sums up the impact that the assault had on American attitudes toward the war in general and toward Japan in particular.
There are better sources for the big picture of Pearl Harbor, the story of the damage done to the fleet and the impact of the attack meant on the course of the war. "Day Of Infamy" is the place to look for the story of the participants whose lives were forever changed on December 7, 1941.
Rating:
Summary: Humanized account of the Pearl Harbor attack
Review: Lord's Day of Infamy recounts the infamous events of December 7th, 1941. Rather than assuming a conventional descriptive viewpoint, the author humanizes his story by chronicling the day's events using the names of the men and women involved. "Men on the Oklahoma began firing back" is scrapped in favor of "PFC ____ and _____ on the Oklahoma began firing back." Using this format, Lord is able to convey a greater sense of realism when recalling the actions of hundreds of individuals involved in day's events. I was also pleasantly surprised at the book's descriptions of the Japanese men involved in the attack. He did not demonize them but presented them fairly as participants in a well-planned although ultimately foolish attack. The only drawback to reading this book, in my opinion, is that the author's presentation of numerous individuals' actions obscured the big picture. Thankfully, an epilogue summarizes the attack in a few pages. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a lively account of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Rating:
Summary: Slight, but compelling, account of that 'Day of Infamy'
Review: Noted historian Walter Lord, author of "A Night to Remember", a renowned account of the Titanic tragedy, has put together a brief, but compelling account of one the most horrific days in U.S. History, December 7th, 1941; the "Day of Infamy" in which the Japanese attacked our naval base in Pearl Harbor and drew the United States into World War II. The politics behind the attack and the revisionist histories that want to lay culpability at the feet of Franklin Roosevelt are irrelevant in this book. Walter Lord's compelling account deals briefly with the groundwork the Japanese laid to execute this attack. Then it rolls right into a gripping minute-by-minute account of the pre-attack activities, the attack itself, and the response in the aftermath.
History, when presented in the worst form, can seem static and boring. When history is presented in its best form, it comes alive, captivating the reader and transporting them to the events and making them know the people they are reading about. Though a brief account, Walter Lord's "Day of Infamy" succeeds admirably in making that day come alive. It transports the readers to Hawaii on that terrible December morning and involves them in the events of that day. That, alone, makes this a book worth reading.
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