Infamy

Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath

By: John Toland

Narrated by: Traber Burns

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

A revealing and controversial account of the events surrounding Pearl Harbor.

Pulitzer Prize - winning author John Toland presents evidence that FDR and his top advisors knew about the planned Japanese attack but remained silent.

Infamy reveals the conspiracy to cover up the facts and find scapegoats for the greatest disaster in United States military history. New York Times best-seller.

©2017 John Toland (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A very important book

An illustration into just how untrustworthy government is and just how dirty an American icon was.

Volatile & enlightening

Well presented and argued. I appreciate that Toland exposes all sides of the political and military questions that led the U.S. into WW2. He doesn’t demand that the president nor American government was evil, but he does insist mistakes were made and lays out lessons that must be learned. This story is so essential and applicable to today’s world, which might be just as dangerous, if not much more so.

History an argument on ended

What I find remarkable about this story (which came out when I was in college and I didn't have time to read ) is that so much was occurring in the background in prelude to war. Obviously the need to protect the Purple decrypt took precedence and yet most people you would today still believe the attack came as a complete surprise and that's 40 years after this book was published. I also want to complement the reader here for expressing the emotion in the review hearings bye Navy and Army boards for Kimmel and Short and the post-war Congressional hearing.

Incredible

John Tolland is my favorite author. However I have not read Infamy and Would rate this his best. Incredibly researched, gripping, and troubling. Must Read

Many Devastating revelations about Pearl Harbor

A lot of good information which should give a better understanding of WWII & Tarnish the reputation of some principal Military / Political leaders of that period.

A Sobering Analysis of the Pearl Harbor Disaster

Toland’s presentation of the events before and after the attack provides an abundance of evidence that much was known and withheld from the commanders on Oahu prior to December 7. It would have been more effective to tell the story chronologically, but it is an outstanding contribution to the history of our nation and its military services. Well done.

FDR knew

what a shocking indictment against our security apparatus.. and we have not learned the lessons from this war so we are forced to repeat it over and over and over again

A believable cover-up

Very dry facts, without substantial evidence. , the kind of facts that makes one
wonder and sway to the conspiracy theory side. After reading it, I have been swayed.

The Authentic Pear Harbor Account

This was an engrossing title - objective, detailed, and as credible as any you are likely to experience on the subject of Pearl Harbor. Events leading up to the “Surprise” attack are mind-blowing, as is the web of military personnel, and foreign informants who supplied enough prior information to easily advert this catastrophe. Little doubt, the Roosevelt administration knew well in advance what was unfolding, but the question remains why this event was allowed to happen. Yes, the net effect was the galvanization of American sentiment, which was needed to justify our entry into WW2, but at what cost? The author provides some potential insights without reaching a definitive conclusion, leaving the listener to ponder this book long after the final chapter.

It Is Human to Try to Cover Up Mistakes

Until now, I never bought the idea that FDR “let Pearl Harbor happen”, knowingly sacrificing so many men and ships. And as John Toland makes clear, he didn’t—at least not knowingly. Given what was believed at the time—the strength of Oahu’s defenses, the low efficiency of Japanese aviators, the impossibility of aerial torpedoes working in shallow Pearl Harbor—the risk seemed acceptable. For minimal loss, a divided nation would be galvanized for war.

Of course, all leaders make horrible blunders. The issue here is that men with the grit to win a world war lacked the integrity to own up to their errors—or their connivance in the errors of their Commander in Chief. Ably assisted by Democrat politicians and press, that connivance survived a series of ten official investigations that make up the heart of this book, proving, as one key actor in this story, Captain Laurance Safford, testified, “It is human to try to cover up mistakes”. But the harm done to brother officers’ lives and careers is indeed infamous.

In the 40 years since this book first appeared, no doubt new evidence and interpretations have emerged. Unfamiliar with any more recent scholarship, all I can say is that I found Toland’s work illuminating. Granted, it’s a tough book to do as audio; the cast abounds with politicians, army and navy officers, and lawyers who enter, exit and re-enter the story through a perpetual revolving door. But stick with it; if you miss the finer shades, the overall story is still well worth the ride. Traber Burns hands in yet another fine performance, especially when delivering the cut-and-thrust of committee room hearings.