redrobinbookreviews

Japan 1941: Countdown to Infamy   Eri Hotta
Detailed history of the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor that precipitated the Pacific war. Good background on the political and historical events that led to the disastrous decision. Hotta is extremely critical of the men whose fantasies started the war and nearly led to Japan’s destruction. A lot of detail about the conflicts between those who wanted to avoid war and those who wanted war. Very sad reading about all the miscalculations and hubris that led to such profound misery and suffering, especially for the Japanese. Prose is a little academically sterile, but the book is informative and well done. Glad I read it.