By the late John Toland.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book isn't new, it was first published in 1970, but it's still in print and can be bought new. I just recently got a new copy. What makes it unique is that Toland was able to interview many of the surviving Japanese admirals, generals and high-level decision-makers, both military and political, during the writing of the book, along with Japanese air aces, combat commanders, soldiers and sailors. Toland had a unique grasp of the Japanese psyche (it didn't hurt that his wife was Japanese) and the book is largely told from their point of view with the American/British/Dutch/Australian point of view interceding when necessary.
It's a big book, about 900 pages, but it's fascinating and very readable. It's like a big steak. I'd recommend it to any student of WW2 and specifically the Pacific Theater.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book isn't new, it was first published in 1970, but it's still in print and can be bought new. I just recently got a new copy. What makes it unique is that Toland was able to interview many of the surviving Japanese admirals, generals and high-level decision-makers, both military and political, during the writing of the book, along with Japanese air aces, combat commanders, soldiers and sailors. Toland had a unique grasp of the Japanese psyche (it didn't hurt that his wife was Japanese) and the book is largely told from their point of view with the American/British/Dutch/Australian point of view interceding when necessary.
It's a big book, about 900 pages, but it's fascinating and very readable. It's like a big steak. I'd recommend it to any student of WW2 and specifically the Pacific Theater.
