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Rating(4 / 5.0, 14 votes)
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14 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.
July 15,2025
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Historians have long delved into this particular period. They have typically done so in increments, piece by piece, gradually uncovering the details and events that shaped it. However, Weintraub's work stands out.

Weintraub has collated the information in a truly unique narrative style. It's not just a dry recitation of facts but a story that unfolds in a captivating manner.

The result is that all the elements seem to fit together in new and interesting ways. It's as if a puzzle that was once scattered and disjointed has now been assembled into a coherent and engaging whole.

This new perspective offered by Weintraub allows us to see this period from a fresh angle, to understand its significance and complexity in a way that we perhaps haven't before. It enriches our knowledge and understanding of history, making it a valuable contribution to the field.
July 15,2025
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Ever read a book on some event, say, World War II, that seemed to stretch on forever with hundreds, perhaps even nearing a thousand or more pages? It might be interesting, but it can also be a real slog to get through. Well, this particular book is about 700 pages long and it's all about World War II. But here's the catch - it only covers the first two days (December 7th and 8th, 1941)!

Now, let me ask you another question. Have you ever read a book, especially a good one, maybe a history book, where the author just didn't spend enough time on a subject? Maybe it was just a sentence, a paragraph or two, or even an entire chapter, but it left you craving more. I've said "There's a book there" countless times.

This is an absolutely fabulous book! Usually, the events of December 7th, 1941, and the time just before and after, take up at most a couple of chapters (if that) in every World War II book I've ever read. But this one covers the events literally hour by hour, and it feels like it's doing so minute by minute. All those potential books that could have been written about the attack on Pearl Harbor... they're all here.

If you're into World War II and you haven't read this book, you should be ashamed of yourself. I'm ashamed of myself for having bought it more than 10 years ago and only now getting around to reading it. It's so embarrassing. What's really irritating is that it's such a great book and so easy to read. I just couldn't put it down. How many times have you heard someone say that? I know dozens. Well, I really couldn't put this one down. I only stopped to sleep.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Well, I guess I can say one more thing: it's so good that I'm going to read it again, right now.
July 15,2025
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An interesting premise is presented in this account, which follows the events of the day, time zone by time zone. By the end of the day, the entire world was truly at war, and one can sense that each day of the war was filled with intrigue, maneuvering, and personal struggle. However, as I read, two major flaws became apparent. Firstly, due to the events being presented by the hour, certain locations and people become jumbled or lack the same level of interest as others. It can be a slog to read about how people learned of the Pearl Harbor bombing or Captain So-and-So's struggle to move his antiquated ship to safety. This is exacerbated by the second flaw - the edition I read had several glaring editing errors. These errors forced me to reread or try to figure out what the hell the author was saying. So, while it may be interesting if you are really into WWII history, it is forgettable for us general readers.

July 15,2025
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As a military historian myself, I tend to be rather harsh when it comes to evaluating works such as this one. However, what makes it truly enjoyable is those rare moments when I don't have to be so critical.

This particular piece takes the infamous day and breaks it down into hourly events, presenting them in an engaging anecdotal style. The stories span across the entire world, offering a comprehensive and diverse perspective.

Not only is it fascinating to read, but the writing is also of a high caliber. One can only imagine the incredible amount of research that must have gone into creating this work. It is evident that the author has put in a great deal of effort and dedication.

Overall, I highly recommend this piece to anyone with an interest in history. It offers a unique and captivating look at a significant event, presented in a way that is both accessible and engaging. Whether you are a seasoned historian or simply someone who enjoys learning about the past, this work is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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