Product Description

A fascinating look at the twelve days leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harborthe warnings clues and misstepsby a Pulitzer Prizewinning reporter.

In Washington DC in late November 1941 admirals compose the most ominous message in Navy history to warn Hawaii of possible danger but they write it too vaguely. They think precautions are being taken but never check to see if they are. A key intelligence officer wants more warnings sent but he is on the losing end of a bureaucratic battle and cant get the message out. American sleuths have pierced Japans most vital diplomatic code and Washington believes it has a window on the enemys soulbut it does not.

In a small office at Pearl Harbor overlooking the battleships at the heart of Americas seafaring power the Commander of the Pacific Fleet tries to figure out how much danger he really faces. His intelligence unit has lost track of Japans biggest aircraft carriers but assumes they are resting in a port far away. The admiral thinks Pearl is too shallow for torpedoes so he never puts up a barrier. As he frets?? a Japanese spy is counting the warships in the harbor and r