Long Days Journey Into War: December 7, 1941

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A reexamination of the bombing of Pearl Harbor presents an hour-by-hour chronicle of the events leading up to and following the attack, discussing the roles of FDR, Rommel, Hitler, and others. Reprint. 25,000 first printing. K.

0 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10,1991

About the author

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Weintraub was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 17, 1929. He was the eldest child of Benjamin and Ray Segal Weintraub. He attended South Philadelphia High School, and then he attended West Chester State Teachers College (now West Chester University of Pennsylvania) where he received his B.S. in education in 1949. He continued his education at Temple University where he received his master's degree in English “in absentia,” as he was called to duty in the Korean War.

He received a commission as Army Second Lieutenant, and served with the Eighth Army in Korea receiving a Bronze Star.

After the War, he enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in September 1953; his doctoral dissertation “Bernard Shaw, Novelist” was accepted on May 6, 1956.

Except for visiting appointments, he remained at Penn State for all of his career, finally attaining the rank of Evan Pugh Professor of Arts and Humanities, with emeritus status on retirement in 2000. From 1970 to 1990 he was also Director of Penn State's Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 14 votes)
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14 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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The 'day' that is recounted in this work actually constitutes the forty-eight hours that surrounded the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Weintraub's foci are extremely diverse, encompassing not only Hawaii but also places like D.C., London, Berlin, Leningrad, Moscow, Tokyo, Luzon, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam.

His 'cast' of characters is truly enormous, and at times it can be rather difficult to keep track of them all. However, his aim is more impressionistic rather than strictly detailed.

It should be noted that there is no quiz to follow, which means the reader can simply immerse themselves in the narrative.

While the book is definitely written from the perspective of the U.S.A., there is very little flag waving and no overt racism. In fact, when compared to the Japanese, the States come off rather poorly.

Particularly excoriated is Douglas MacArthur, a man whose ego seems to be in direct proportion to his incompetence. This is an estimation that I have also encountered in a number of other books about the war in the Pacific.

Overall, this work provides a unique and engaging look at a crucial moment in history.
July 15,2025
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This book is truly fascinating!

It serves as a comprehensive compendium of all that was transpiring throughout the affected and effected world during the 48 hours from December 6, 1941, through December 8, 1941, as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. It is an astonishing collection of vignettes, meticulously compiled hour by hour.

Each chapter or hour commences with a set of clocks indicating the time in the relevant areas of the chapter. For example: Hour 1 showcases Midnight December 7 in Wake Island, 10:00 pm December 6 in Tokyo, 2:00 pm December 6 in Moscow, and 2:30 am in Pearl Harbor. The author, Stanley Weintraub, then proceeds to present the events that were unfolding in those specific areas.

The effort to correlate these entries is truly mind-boggling. Weintraub masterfully brings together official documents, official messages, newspaper accounts, private letters, telegrams, and oral history sources to paint an incredibly coherent picture of the world and the war during those 48 hours.

Besides the locations mentioned in Hour 1, numerous other places such as Leningrad, Tobruk, Washington, Guam, Manila, Malaya, Singapore, Berlin, London, Seattle, Bangkok, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Saigon, California, Belgrade, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Hiroshima, Peking, Nihau, Lodz, Yokohama, Pittsburgh, the North Atlantic and South Atlantic, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vladivostok, Vilna, Portland, Addis Ababa, Chelmno, Brussels, Heidenmuhle, Wuchow, Rome, Lanai, and Midway Island all have their own stories to tell within these 48 hours.

These renderings are not confined solely to military or diplomatic efforts and actions. The author does an outstanding job of depicting what was happening in society across the globe. I was particularly captivated by his descriptions of the family members interned in the British territories and by the news media columnists who were arrested as the Japanese took control of areas where US individuals had previously been neutral, such as in Japan and the British territories.

I was completely unaware of the fact that the Japanese staff at the US Embassy in Tokyo agreed to remain interned in the embassy with the US diplomatic staff until they were exchanged seven months later. I was also surprised to learn that even cartoons were affected, with the Japanese eliminating Mickey Mouse and Popeye from Japanese movie screenings.

The fighting that the Indian soldiers engaged in during the battle for Hong Kong was truly courageous and, at times, ethically challenging. The story of Jemadar Sherin and his Afridi platoon, who had to fire on a Japanese unit using a dozen women as human shields, is particularly poignant. Sherin ordered his men to fire when the enemy came within 150 yards.

US college football was also impacted. The San Jose State College and Willamette University teams were in Hawaii to play, but the game was not held. Instead, the team members volunteered to assist the police. They were provided with shotguns and assigned to guard duty. The women who accompanied the Willamette team were put to work as nurses aides.

This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in World War II! It is an engaging and informative read that offers a unique perspective on a crucial period in history.
July 15,2025
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It is an interesting concept. Weintraub breaks down December 7, 1941 into roughly a 48-hour "day", taking into account the international dateline and other factors.

He moves swiftly from one war theatre to another, with an incredibly sharp eye for telling details. For example, Paul Tibbet is quickly sketched flying in Georgia on the day of the attack, and then, of course, there is another image of him in the afterword, piloting the Enola Gay over Hiroshima. JFK's Secretary of State, Robert MacNamara, appears as a Captain, and there are countless fascinating snapshots of the residents of Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, and Hawaii. These are stories that are often overlooked, and the book does a great service by bringing them to the forefront.

The actual centerpiece of the book, the attack itself, is told in a rather平淡 way. However, he gains momentum with the depiction of the chaos that prevailed at Pearl Harbor after the second wave of Japanese planes left. The accounts of Enterprise planes being shot down by nervous American military on Oahu are heart-wrenching, and Weintraub does a good job with the accounts of the crisis' aftermath.

In the end, I think the technique - the hour-by-hour framework - diminishes the impact. There are only so many times you can read stories of how shocked people were when they received the news, or how unprepared the British were for the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, before it becomes a bit tedious. Just a bit, but it was enough to make the 700 pages seem a little long.

On the other hand, Weintraub does put an end to Toland's polemic about FDR's "responsibility" for the attack. And I have read so many books by him that cover a wide variety of topics!
July 15,2025
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Interesting Concept of Breaking Down the Events Hour by Hour


The idea of analyzing events on an hourly basis is truly fascinating. It allows for a detailed and in-depth understanding of how things unfold over time. By breaking down the events into smaller time intervals, we can observe the细微变化 and patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, in a sports game, looking at each hour can reveal crucial moments such as a team's comeback or a key player's performance. In a business meeting, it can help identify the most productive or unproductive hours. This concept can also be applied to personal life, like tracking our daily activities and seeing where our time is being spent most effectively. Overall, the concept of breaking down events hour by hour provides a unique perspective and can lead to valuable insights and improvements.

July 15,2025
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A truly great and detailed hour-by-hour account of the world events that surrounded the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. It presented a comprehensive picture of the situation at that crucial time. The author painstakingly described each event, making it feel as if one was right there witnessing history unfold. It took me quite a while to gradually read through this account, but it was definitely worth it. Every page was filled with valuable information and insights. It gave me a deeper understanding of the significance and impact of the Pearl Harbor attack, not only on the United States but also on the entire world. This detailed account serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and hardships that people endured during that war-torn era. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history or the events that led up to World War II.

July 15,2025
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This book offers an exciting and comprehensive 24-hour journey around the world for the reader.

It delves into the events that were unfolding in all the relevant regions of the world during that time. Starting from the early plans of the Japanese to invade Micronesia, it then moves on to cover significant events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, activities in Washington DC, the situation in England, the actions in Germany, the happenings in India, and the events in Japan itself. It also includes details about Hong Kong and many other places.

The book is filled with an amazing amount of detail and anecdotal information. It provides a vivid and engaging account of the global events that were taking place, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the interconnectedness of different regions during that crucial 24-hour period.

Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about the world, this book is sure to captivate your attention and provide you with a wealth of knowledge.
July 15,2025
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Weintraub provides us with a captivating history that is not only thrilling to read but also extremely informative.

"Long Day's Journey into War" offers an hour-by-hour exploration of the events of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It delves into the surrounding events, personalities, and all other relevant details that occurred on that fateful day. With a profound understanding of the geographical expanse of the world, it acknowledges that while it is December 7 in some regions, it is December 8 (or December 6) in others.

This work is truly impressive. It presents a comprehensive and engaging account of a significant moment in history, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the events and their implications. Weintraub's attention to detail and his ability to bring the story to life make this book a must-read for anyone interested in World War II or history in general.

July 15,2025
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This seems to be some sort of romance.

It is like a low-quality version of Pride and Prejudice, but with a military theme.

In this story, perhaps there are characters who meet in a military setting.

Maybe there is a proud and prejudiced officer, and a charming and independent woman.

Their initial encounters might be filled with misunderstandings and clashes of personalities.

As the story progresses, they gradually get to know each other better.

They start to see beyond the surface and discover the true qualities within each other.

Despite the challenges and obstacles in their way, their feelings for each other grow stronger.

It could be a story of love blooming in the midst of a military environment, with all its unique tensions and dramas.

Although it may not have the same depth and elegance as the original Pride and Prejudice, it still has the potential to be an engaging and entertaining romance.
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