This compilation and accompanying annotations are copyright 1998 by Leigh Husband Kimmel. It may be downloaded and used for research purposes provided that it is not altered in any way and this copyright notice remains intact.
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O'Connor, Richard. Pacific Destiny Boston: Little, Borwn, 1969
Ollila, John E. "I Was at Pearl Harbor": The Life and Times of John E. Ollila. Wichita, Kans.: Haag-Sumpton, 1984
Pantzer, Eric F. The Debacle at Pearl Harbor. Indianapolis, Ind: Thesis, Indiana University, 1965
Parker, Frederick D. Pearl Harbor Revisited: United States Navy Communications Intelligence 1924-1941. Series IV, World War II, vol. 6 of United States Cryptologic History. Fort George C. Meade, MD: National Security Agency, 1994.
Parkinson, Roger. Attack on Pearl Harbor. London: Wayland, 1973.
Pelz, Stephen E. Race to Pearl Harbor: The Failure of the Second London Naval Conference and the Onset of World War II. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1964
Examines how the treaties which were supposed to prevent a future world war fell apart. This is mostly a political and diplomatic book rather than a military one.
Pettee, George S. The Future of American Secret Intelligence. Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press, 1946
Pogue, Forrest C. George C. Marshall: The War Years, The Viking Press, Inc. New York, 1965Ê/p>
Porteus, Standley D. And Blow Not the Trumpet: A Prelude to Peril. Palo Alto, CA: Pacific Books, 1947
Potter, Elmer B. Nimitz. Annapolis, Md: U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1976
The first authorized biography of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, this book discusses the effects of the attack on Pearl Harbor on the fleet and personnel. It also deals with Nimitz's ambivalence at being called upon to relieve Kimmel, who had been a friend, and the effects of the attack and subsequent disgrace upon Kimmel.
_____. Bull Halsey. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1985
This book provides an account of the role of Admiral Halsey and the Enterprise task force in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent search for the retreating Japanese task force. It also discusses Halsey's feelings upon seeing Kimmel relieved of command in disgrace and Halsey's attempts to defend his old friend.
Potter, John Deane. Yamamoto, the Man Who Menaced America. New York: Viking Press, 1965
This biography of Yamamoto has good background on his personality and his relationship with his subordinates, particularly Nagumo. There is some material on the attack itself.
Prange, Gordon W. At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981
The first of a series of three books on Pearl Harbor, this book is an in-depth examination of the personalities and events involved in the attack. It is very critical of Admiral Kimmel and scathing of revisionist theories.
Click here to buy At Dawn We Slept from Amazon.com
_____. with Donald M. Goldstein and Katherine V. Dillon. Dec. 7, 1941: The Day the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988
The final book of Prange's Pearl Harbor triad, this is a detailed reconstruction of the events of the Pearl Harbor attack.
_______. God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor Washington D. C.: Brassey's, 1990.
This biography of Mitsuo Fuchido tells how he survived World War II and subsequently became an evangelical Christian.
_____. Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986
The second of Prange's Pearl Harbor triad, this book focuses on the responsability for the attack. It is very harsh on Admiral Kimmel and claims that he became so entangled in the minutia of command that he lost track of the broader picture.
Pratt, Fletcher. The Navy's War. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1944
Prelude to Infamy, Official Report on the Final Phase of U.S.-Japanese Relations, October 17 to December 7, 1941 Washington, D.C.: United States Department of State, 1943
Roscoe, Theodore. United States Destroyer Operations in World War II. Annapolis, Md.: U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1953.
This is an overall war history, but has some good coverage of the destroyers at Pearl Harbor and particularly those that were damaged in the course of the attack.
_____. United States Submarine Operations in World War II. Annapolis, Md.: U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1949
This is an overall war history, but has some material on the role of submarines in Pearl Harbor. (It also has information on Admiral Kimmel's son Manning Marius and the Robalo, but never mentions their relationship).
Rosenman, Samuel I. Working with Roosevelt. New York: Harper, 1952
Rusbridger, James and Eric Nave. Betrayal at Pearl Harbor: How Churchill Lured Roosevelt into World War II. New York: Summit, 1991.
This provides a new take on the conspiracy theory of Pearl Harbor, suggesting that Roosevelt was himself a dupe and the real villain was Churchill, who withheld vital information on Japanese activities in order to get the United States to help England.
Russett, Bruce M. No Clear and Present Danger. New York: Harper and Row, 1972
This book argues that Japan was pushed into the war by the United States.
Sherwood, Robert E. Roosevelt and Hopkins. New York: Harper, 1948
This book looks at FDR and Hopkins' diplomacy.
Sakamaki, Kazuo. I Attacked Pearl Harbor. New York:Association Press 1949
Sayre, Francis B. Glad Adventure. New York: Macmilan Co., 1957
Schroeder, Paul W. The Axis Alliance and Japanese- American Relations 1941 Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1958
Schuler, Frank A. The Pearl Harbor Cover-up, New York: Pinnacle 1976
This is a very puzzling book. The note on the verso of the title page lists it as being fiction. It appears to be a fictionalization of the role of the author in the diplomacy leading up to Pearl Harbor and the subsequent coverup. However, it is indexed and otherwise contains scholarly apparatus of citation. Regard it with great care.
Shapiro, William E. Pearl Harbor. In Turning Points of World War II series. New York: Franklin Watts, 1984.
This is a basic reader on Pearl Harbor which looks at the historical background and the attack itself. The blame is placed on the system itself, not just Kimmel and Short, arguing that it was too big a failure for just two men to be at fault.
Sheehan, Ed. Days of '41: Pearl Harbor Remembered. Honolulu: Pearl Harbor--Honolulu Branch 46 Fleet Reserve Association Enterprises, 1976
Simpson, B. Mitchell III. Admiral Harold R. Stark: Architect of Victory, 1939-1945Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1989
This book is fairly gentle on Stark and notes how he tried to spare and help Admiral Kimmel after the attack on Pearl Harbor, but that the Administration ignored him.
Slackman, Michael, ed. Pearl Harbor in Perspective. Honolulu: Arizona Memorial Museum Association, 1986
_____. Remembering Pearl Harbor: The Story of the U.S.S. "Arizona" Memorial. Honolulu: Arizona Memorial Museum Association, 1984
________. Target: Pearl Harbor Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press and Arizona Memorial Museum Association, 1990
Primarily a recounting of events, but also looks at reactions. Has an appendix on revisionist theories.
Smith, S. E. The United States Navy in World War II. New York: William Morrow and Co., 1966.
A compilation of various documents linked with transitions by the author. Although it is an overview of the entire war, there are several chapters on Pearl Harbor.
Smyser, A. A. Hawaii's Future in the Pacific: Disaster, Backwater or Future State? Honolulu: East-West Center, 1988
Spector, Ronald H. The Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan. New York: The Free Press, 1985
This book has some good political background and general information on the fleet.
Stafford, Edward P. The Big E: The story of the USS Enterprise. New York: Random House, 1962.
The story of the ship's overall career in World War II, it does touch on her role in Pearl Harbor.
Standley, Adm. William H., USN (Ret.) and RADM Arthur A. Ageton. (Ret.) Admiral Ambassador to Russia. Chicago: Henry Regnery Co., 1955
Stephan, John J. Hawaii Under the Rising Sun: Japan's Plans for Conquest After Pearl Harbor. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1984
Stillwell, Paul, ed. Air Raid: Pearl Harbor! Annapolis, Md.: U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1981
This is a sort of "album" of pictures and articles by various officers and other individuals involved in Pearl Harbor.
Stimson, Henry L., and McGeorge Bundy. On Active Service in Peace and War. New York: Harper & Row, 1947
Stinnet, Robert B. Day of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor Free Press, 1999
Click here to buy Day of Deceit from Amazon.com
Stratton, Roy. The Army-Navy Game. Falmouth, MA: Volta, 1977
Sulzberger, C. L. A Long Row of Candles. New YOrk: Macmillan, 1969
Sweeny, Charles. Pearl Harbor. Murray, UT: privately printed, 1946
Tansill, Charles C. Back Door to War: The Roosevelt Foreign Policy, 1933-1941, Henry Regency Company, Chicago, 1952
This book looks at Roosevelt's foreign policy, arguing that he was maneuvering the Japanese into starting the war.
Tate, Merze. The United States and Armament. New York: Russell & Russell, 1948
Taylor, Theodore. Air Raid -- Pearl Harbor. New York: Crowell, 1971
Theobald, Robert A. The Final Secret of Pearl Harbor, The Devin-Adair Company, Publishers, New York, 1954
This account of the systematic coverup was written by Admiral Kimmel's longtime friend and associate. It includes forewards by Kimmel and Halsey accusing Roosevelt of primary guilt.
Thorne, Cristopher. Allies of a Kind: The United States, Great Britain and the War Against Japan 1941-43. New York: Oxford University Press, 1978
This very scholarly work examines political and military relations between the US and Great Britain and how the two countries worked together. There is very little on the actual attack, but this book is good for understanding the whys and wherefores behind the events.
Thorpe, Elliott R. East Wind, Rain. Boston: Gambit, Inc., 1969.
Toland, John. But Not in Shame. New York: Random House, 1961.
This book deals with the events of Pearl Harbor and the six months following it to the Battle of Midway.
_____. The Rising Sun. New York: Random House, 1970
This book looks at the Japanese political and military situation, with good background on the events leading up to Pearl Harbor.
_____. Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath. Garden City, N. Y.: Doubleday, 1982
The most well-known and best researched of all the revisionist accounts of Pearl Harbor, this book concentrates primarily upon the manner in which the various investigations were handled and mis- handled. Although the first several chapters do discuss the mechanics of the attack itself, this is not the primary focus of the book. Rather it is the manner in which Admiral Kimmel and General Short were discarded like trash and subsequently prevented from ever receiving a fair hearing on their cases.
Tolley, RADM Kemp. Cruise of the Lanikai: Incitement toWar. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1973
Travers, Paul J. Eyewitness to Infamy: An Oral History of Pearl Harbor, Lanham, Maryland: Madison Books, 1991.
This is a collection of accounts by people who witnessed the attack.
Trefousse, Hans L. (Ed.) What Happened at Pearl Harbor, Twayne Publishers, New York, 1958
This book is a collection of testimony, statements and other documentation on Pearl Harbor. An introduction by the editor provides context.
_____. Pearl Harbor, the Continuing Controversy. Malabar, Fla.: Krieger, 1982
Examines various controversial issues in regards to Pearl Harbor, and is very critical of the Hawaiian commanders. In particular, he calls Admiral Kimmel "irresponsible."
Tully, Grace. F.D.R., My Boss. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1949
U.S. Congress. Pearl Harbor Attack: Hearings Before the Joint Committee on the Pearl Harbor Attack. 79th Congress, 1st Session. 39 vols. 1946
This is the complete report of the hearing and is very technical.
Van Der Rhoer, Edward. Deadly Magic: A Personal Account of Communication Intelligence in World War II in the Pacific. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978
Van der Vat, Dan. The Pacific Campaign, World War II: The US and Japanese Naval War, 1941-1945. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1991.
The material on Pearl Harbor primarily looks at its place within the entire war.
Waller, George M. Pearl Harbor: Roosevelt and the Coming of the War. Boston: Heath, 1965Ê/p>
A collection of excerpts from various books and oother documents. It includes a piece from Admiral Kimmel's book (above).
_____. Pearl Harbor. Lexington, Mass.: Heath, 1976
A later edition of the above.
Wallin, VADM Homer N. Pearl Harbor: Why, How, Fleet Salvage, and Final Appraisal. Washington, D.C.: Naval History Division, Department of the Navy, 1968
An extensive technical discussion of damage to the ships and how they were repaired or how it was determined to abandon them. It places blame on the US people in general, arguing that refusal to properly fund the Navy led to the debacle.
Watson, Brian. The Responsibility for Pearl Harbor
Wayman, Dorothy G. David I. Walsh, Citizen-Patriot. Milwaukee: Bruce, 1952
Wedemeyer, General Albert C. Wedemeyer Reports! New York: Holt, 1958
Weintraub, Stanley. Long Day's Journey into War: December 7, 1941. New York: Truman Talley, 1991
This book is a reconstruction of the events leading up to and following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It seeks to tie together world events, and to this end shows four clocks at the head of each chapter, allowing the reader to see how events in disparate time zones related in real time.
Whitehead, Don. The FBI Story, Random House, New York, 1956
Wilson, Rose Page. General Marshall Remembered. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1968
Winant, John Gilbert. Letter from Grosvenor Square. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1947
Wohlstetter, Roberta. Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision, Stanford University Press, 1962
This is an examination of communications and problems among US commanders involved in Pearl Harbor.
Click here to buy Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision from Amazon.com
Worth, Roland H. Jr. Pearl Harbor: Selected Testimonies, Fully Indexed, From the Congressional Hearings (1945-1946) and Prior Investigations of the Events Leading Up to the Attack Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1993.
A collection of primary source materials related to Pearl Harbor
Yardley, Maili. Hawaii: Times and Tides. Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii: The Woolsey Press, 1975
Yates, Margaret. Murder By the Yard. New York: Harper, 1942
Young, Stephen Bower. Trapped at Pearl Harbor: Escape from Battleship Oklahoma.Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1991.
A primary-source account by a sailor who was aboard the battleship Oklahoma during the December 7 attack and who survived the ordeal of being trapped underwater. Also includes technical notes on the battleship.
Zacharias, Ellis M. Secret Missions. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons 1946
I recognize that this is an incomplete listing by necessity, since new materials continue to come out even after fifty years have passed. However I will continue to work on getting more of these materials annotated and adding new ones as I become aware of them. If you know of other books, articles or audiovisual materials that you believe should be added to this listing, please e-mail me at leighkimmel@geocities.com.
This compilation and accompanying annotations are copyright 1998 by Leigh Husband Kimmel. It may be downloaded and used for research purposes provided that it is not altered in any way and this copyright notice remains intact.
Return to Pearl Harbor Bibliography main page
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Last updated March 22, 2001