Pearl Harbor examines the complex factors leading to the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, an event that propelled the U.S. into World War II. It explores the deterioration of US-Japanese relations, Japan's strategic planning, and the attack’s profound impact on American society.
The book highlights the economic sanctions imposed on Japan, particularly the oil embargo, which fueled Japan's sense of desperation and its view of the attack as a necessary pre-emptive strike. The book avoids simplistic narratives by using primary sources to reconstruct events. It begins by tracing the roots of the conflict, then dissects Japanese planning and details the attack itself.
Finally, the book analyzes the American response, the declaration of war, and the long-term impacts of Pearl Harbor on World War II and American foreign policy. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of how escalating tensions and strategic miscalculations culminated in this pivotal moment in history.
