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Pearl Harbor's Final Warning: A Man, a Message, and Paradise Lost
Winner of the 2022 Gold Medal for History from the Military Writer's Society of America, and the 2023 Nominee of the National Indie Excellence Awards, Pearl Harbor's Final Warning amends the historical record by presenting unpublished material, including the original copy of General Marshall's coded message. On 7 December 1941, Washington sent a message to its Pacific outpost about a potential Japanese attack. All but Pearl Harbor received it in time to prepare. New information from the archives of George Street, District Manager of RCA-Communications, Honolulu exposes the fatal flaws that resulted in the surprise attack. Operational snafus, collusion, and spies weave a web of misdirection that entangles George Street and his children in one of history's biggest mistakes. This riveting account, set against the background of Hawaii's press for preparedness, is a must-read for historians and all those touched by WWII.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2021
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May 5, 2022MWSA Review
Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning by Valarie J. Anderson is a historical account of the message that arrived too late. The book details events leading up to, during, and after the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the beautiful tropical paradise of Oahu. Anderson weaves a horrific tale of loss and tragedy into the everyday lives of the people on the island who were most directly affected. It was, indeed, a day that lives in infamy.
Anderson provides an account from the archives of her grandfather, George Street, who was the District Manager of RCA-Honolulu. In addition, the author had access to many documents, decoded messages, and family memories from her uncle George Street, Jr. and her mother, Barbara Street. These documents demonstrate the many errors in communication that resulted in the awful consequences of the Japanese airstrike.
On that fateful day, Washington sent a message about a potential Japanese attack to its Pacific outposts—all except Pearl Harbor. All who received the message had time to prepare for an assault. Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning, subtitled A Man, A Message, and Paradise Lost, documents in detail the flaws of governmental bureaucracy that resulted in the carnage that day. The Street family was immediately embroiled in this historical boondoggle.
This book is an example of the importance of communications and good intelligence. The story illustrates weaknesses of politicians and leaders at every level of government, including the military. The flawed decisions they made affected not only the service members but all civilians living in the islands of Hawaii.
Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning is a well-researched book about America's military preparations and/or lack of preparation, communications, and coordination between the U.S. Armed Forces leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Review by Nancy Panko (May 2022)
Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning by Valarie J. Anderson is a historical account of the message that arrived too late. The book details events leading up to, during, and after the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the beautiful tropical paradise of Oahu. Anderson weaves a horrific tale of loss and tragedy into the everyday lives of the people on the island who were most directly affected. It was, indeed, a day that lives in infamy.
Anderson provides an account from the archives of her grandfather, George Street, who was the District Manager of RCA-Honolulu. In addition, the author had access to many documents, decoded messages, and family memories from her uncle George Street, Jr. and her mother, Barbara Street. These documents demonstrate the many errors in communication that resulted in the awful consequences of the Japanese airstrike.
On that fateful day, Washington sent a message about a potential Japanese attack to its Pacific outposts—all except Pearl Harbor. All who received the message had time to prepare for an assault. Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning, subtitled A Man, A Message, and Paradise Lost, documents in detail the flaws of governmental bureaucracy that resulted in the carnage that day. The Street family was immediately embroiled in this historical boondoggle.
This book is an example of the importance of communications and good intelligence. The story illustrates weaknesses of politicians and leaders at every level of government, including the military. The flawed decisions they made affected not only the service members but all civilians living in the islands of Hawaii.
Pearl Harbor’s Final Warning is a well-researched book about America's military preparations and/or lack of preparation, communications, and coordination between the U.S. Armed Forces leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Review by Nancy Panko (May 2022)
February 26, 2023
This book piqued my interest because it won the Gold Medal Award at the Military Writers Society of America's 2022 banquet, in the category of "History." This beautifully written book tells the story of General George Marshall's Radiogram 1549–a crucial piece of intelligence–and what really happened on the morning of December 7, 1941.
Valarie Anderson takes a giant, detailed dive into the life of Honolulu's Radio Corporation of America (RCA) District Manager, George Street (the author's maternal grandfather), and the events that lead up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The author does a fantastic job at making the reader feel like they were right there on Oahu watching the story unfold. The sheer amount of research that the author must have undergone to put this story together is staggering. It not only tells the entire story leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, but also demonstrates how all Americans mobilized for war afterwards, not just in Hawaii, but across mainland America. This is a must-read for any WWII historian.
Valarie Anderson takes a giant, detailed dive into the life of Honolulu's Radio Corporation of America (RCA) District Manager, George Street (the author's maternal grandfather), and the events that lead up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The author does a fantastic job at making the reader feel like they were right there on Oahu watching the story unfold. The sheer amount of research that the author must have undergone to put this story together is staggering. It not only tells the entire story leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, but also demonstrates how all Americans mobilized for war afterwards, not just in Hawaii, but across mainland America. This is a must-read for any WWII historian.
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February 27, 2024Normally, I love military autobiographies or anything related to real history events. I started this book so excited and had a fun time for the first 50-100 pages reading it, but I was also reading All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. My motivation for this book started going downhill very quickly, and it was nothing about the book, just since the other book I was reading was a 5 star read. I'm not rating it, because I think if I didn't loose motivation, it would be a 3 or 4 star rating. I don't think it's fair to rate it so much lower since it was just how I was feeling in the moment and not because of the contents of the book. I hope that makes sense.
I did love learning more about Pearl Harbor and the events/mishaps that resulted in something so terrible for our Nation at the time. History related books are always important to read from time to time, to learn our history or even other country's history!
I did love learning more about Pearl Harbor and the events/mishaps that resulted in something so terrible for our Nation at the time. History related books are always important to read from time to time, to learn our history or even other country's history!
July 19, 2023
This book should be required reading for all High School students!
Pearl Harbor's Final Warning by Valarie J. Anderson grabbed me from the start. The well-researched facts and personal stories made me feel like I was boots on the ground in Hawaii with George Street, his family, coworkers, friends, and neighbors as they experienced the fallout of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The hours of research behind this book made for a riveting read, all the more engaging because of the insider view of RCA, the men and women behind the telegraphs, and the multitude of players across the various branches of the military. I learned so much more about the who, what, and why behind our final warning. What struck me most was how so many mundane missteps, delays, and lapses in judgment could add up to such a disastrous attack on our nation. We all must remember Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor's Final Warning by Valarie J. Anderson grabbed me from the start. The well-researched facts and personal stories made me feel like I was boots on the ground in Hawaii with George Street, his family, coworkers, friends, and neighbors as they experienced the fallout of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The hours of research behind this book made for a riveting read, all the more engaging because of the insider view of RCA, the men and women behind the telegraphs, and the multitude of players across the various branches of the military. I learned so much more about the who, what, and why behind our final warning. What struck me most was how so many mundane missteps, delays, and lapses in judgment could add up to such a disastrous attack on our nation. We all must remember Pearl Harbor.
October 23, 2023
I’m not a huge fan of military history but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very well laid out and documented from the point of view of the family that lived it. The details and personal recollections added a lot to the plot. Some sections seemed like bullet points of unrelated facts which is my only comment less than 5 stars. I’m glad I read this and have mentioned to others.
June 8, 2023
This book helps understand what really happened before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It helps you understand the fear of spies from Japan and Germany at Pearl Harbor. This a book worth reading!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews