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East Wind Rain: A Pictorial History of the Pearl Harbor Attack
East Wind A Pictorial History of the Pearl Harbor Attack [Paperback
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
182 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1981
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 8, 2021
When I came across this book, it looked like a large format telling of the Pearl Harbor Dec 1941 story. But now that I have perused the book more closely, I think it might be the best curated Photo collection I have ever seen on the Japanese attack that brought the USA into WWII. Stan Cohen, the Author and curator is a writer on WWII and other Pacific Rim topics, and felt a deeper dive into the visual history was called for. I am thankful he did- and that he did so in 1979- so there was still a lot of extant damage or repaired damage to show. He was also still able to get some oral history from locals only thinking back 38 years- not over 70 years like today. The result is a series of essays, slathered liberally with b/w photos, maps and diagrams that tells a rich and layered story of the Carrier Aircraft attacks that humbled the US Pacific Fleet and the Army Air Corps at the start of the Pacific War. The depth of the photographs and the volume of them really makes this a key book in a reader's understanding of the battle, its short term effects- and its role in eventual US victory in the War.
The richness of this trove is really amazing. Lots of pictures of the most important ships that got damaged/sunk, lots of pics of the Air bases that were caught packed wing to wing with aircraft. There are articles well supplied with photos on each facility attacked and how the Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines tried to fight back from the very start. There is a lot of content on the rebuilding effort too- so that part of the logistical support for the greater war could continue. Cohen packs a lot of information into 182 oversized pages - with a couple of cool appendixes as well. Any Pearl Harbor History buff needs this book to round out the collection. The only reason I did not give this a fifth star was the lack of colour plates- aside from the Cover front and back. Otherwise this is a Pearl Harbor History canon addition.
This is a great book for a Junior reader with an interest in WWII or Hawaiian history, as it is written in simple prose and has few adult themes. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, its a great resource. There are lots of ideas to help develop Pearl Harbor Scenarios or Dioramas. A lot of rich details to add to the readers' understanding of the attack and it results. I think the many embedded memories of the witnesses also add to the book's impact. I felt that I understood the battle batter after this read- even though this might be the 30th book I've read on the topic. One can't resist being drawn into the subject by the wealth and breadth of the photographic evidence Cohen has amassed. A strong rec- and I think this one belongs in the Pearl Harbor Canon of reading material. Just so many great pics...
The richness of this trove is really amazing. Lots of pictures of the most important ships that got damaged/sunk, lots of pics of the Air bases that were caught packed wing to wing with aircraft. There are articles well supplied with photos on each facility attacked and how the Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines tried to fight back from the very start. There is a lot of content on the rebuilding effort too- so that part of the logistical support for the greater war could continue. Cohen packs a lot of information into 182 oversized pages - with a couple of cool appendixes as well. Any Pearl Harbor History buff needs this book to round out the collection. The only reason I did not give this a fifth star was the lack of colour plates- aside from the Cover front and back. Otherwise this is a Pearl Harbor History canon addition.
This is a great book for a Junior reader with an interest in WWII or Hawaiian history, as it is written in simple prose and has few adult themes. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, its a great resource. There are lots of ideas to help develop Pearl Harbor Scenarios or Dioramas. A lot of rich details to add to the readers' understanding of the attack and it results. I think the many embedded memories of the witnesses also add to the book's impact. I felt that I understood the battle batter after this read- even though this might be the 30th book I've read on the topic. One can't resist being drawn into the subject by the wealth and breadth of the photographic evidence Cohen has amassed. A strong rec- and I think this one belongs in the Pearl Harbor Canon of reading material. Just so many great pics...
September 9, 2023
This book was published in 1981 by Pictorial Histories. It is what it purports to be, a pictorial reminder and memorial of the dramatic events of December 07, 1941. It includes numerous photos of the attack itself and several photos of the same locations taken in 1981.
This book gives a history of the Pearl Harbour naval base. This includes the story of its original owners, civilians who acquired it for commercial purposes. The author also mentions the military men who played important roles in its original construction and significant evolutionary updates. The same applies to all the important targets in Oahu that day. The book also gives a background of the (Japanese) military situation in the Western Pacific area as well as the status of the diplomatic relationship between the United States of America and Japan.
Japan had planned the attack for several months managing every detail to ensure the attack was a surprise and to give the attackers every chance of a successful operation. The planning and actual movement of ships, aircraft carriers and submarines is also described.
The planning included considerable detail about each target location, its detailed design, location of key functions including ship berthing, aircraft locations, drydocks, workshops, ammunition storage, hospital locations, HQ, storage, and barracks. Order of targets, assignment of target to each bomber, and flying routes were all specified. Targets for the second (and third, cancelled) waves were all specified to the flyers.
As the attack begins, the author describes the order of significant activity and results by each major target location. He mentions specific defensive action by specific persons or units. All major activities are described in order and time. This is not an operational review, but Coben mentions a view significant errors by both sides. The most important for the US were Sunday and communication slackness as important information was very late in getting to commanding officers. For Japan. The failure to destroy fuel stores and failure to destroy submarines and their base allowed the US to respond much faster than might otherwise have been possible.
This book is what it claims to be, a pictorial history; it includes nothing new. It provides comprehensive but high-level information and interesting photos for those with limited knowledge of the attack. The writing is straight forward, perhaps a little pedantic, however it covers the material. Three stars.
This book gives a history of the Pearl Harbour naval base. This includes the story of its original owners, civilians who acquired it for commercial purposes. The author also mentions the military men who played important roles in its original construction and significant evolutionary updates. The same applies to all the important targets in Oahu that day. The book also gives a background of the (Japanese) military situation in the Western Pacific area as well as the status of the diplomatic relationship between the United States of America and Japan.
Japan had planned the attack for several months managing every detail to ensure the attack was a surprise and to give the attackers every chance of a successful operation. The planning and actual movement of ships, aircraft carriers and submarines is also described.
The planning included considerable detail about each target location, its detailed design, location of key functions including ship berthing, aircraft locations, drydocks, workshops, ammunition storage, hospital locations, HQ, storage, and barracks. Order of targets, assignment of target to each bomber, and flying routes were all specified. Targets for the second (and third, cancelled) waves were all specified to the flyers.
As the attack begins, the author describes the order of significant activity and results by each major target location. He mentions specific defensive action by specific persons or units. All major activities are described in order and time. This is not an operational review, but Coben mentions a view significant errors by both sides. The most important for the US were Sunday and communication slackness as important information was very late in getting to commanding officers. For Japan. The failure to destroy fuel stores and failure to destroy submarines and their base allowed the US to respond much faster than might otherwise have been possible.
This book is what it claims to be, a pictorial history; it includes nothing new. It provides comprehensive but high-level information and interesting photos for those with limited knowledge of the attack. The writing is straight forward, perhaps a little pedantic, however it covers the material. Three stars.
March 28, 2023
If you are wondering what the title of this book means, "EastWindRain"; it was the code phrase used by the Japanese government to notify its diplomatic corps throughout the world that it had made the decision to go to war with the United States. The motto of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR- KEEP AMERICA ALERT'.
This book is FULL of almost anything you'd ever want to know about Pearl Harbor. There were detailed descriptions of the plans the Japanese had made, the strike on Pearl Harbor itself, information on the ships and submarines, as well as the midget submarines.
It had an exceptional collection of maps, and the photographs were numerous- collected from public archives, private collections, the Pearl Harbor Survivors, and the author himself. Some had never been seen before.
This book is FULL of almost anything you'd ever want to know about Pearl Harbor. There were detailed descriptions of the plans the Japanese had made, the strike on Pearl Harbor itself, information on the ships and submarines, as well as the midget submarines.
It had an exceptional collection of maps, and the photographs were numerous- collected from public archives, private collections, the Pearl Harbor Survivors, and the author himself. Some had never been seen before.
February 10, 2019
As the title describes it is a pictorial history of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As one would expect to see of a book of this type the pages with photos, drawings and maps outnumber the pages with mostly words. While a little more sparse in the word department than I like it is a good addition to any student of World War II as a resource for that event.
September 1, 2019
As can be expected this book is loaded with pictures of the installations, ships and planes at Pearl Harbor both before and after the December 7, 1941 attack. Worthwhile.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews