Pearl Harbor 1941

The Day of Infamy

Carl Smith

Osprey Publishing

ISBN:  1-85532-798-8

104 pages

Approximately $18.00 (US)

 

I find it difficult in some way to review this book.  I enjoyed reading it.  But then I am a sucker for anything with either the name Pearl Harbor, or Midway.  On the other had, I have in front of me 13 pages of errors as accounted by noted Pearl Harbor expert David Aiken.

OK, well lets start this the way we would start any book review.  Carl Smith is credited in the book as having a life long fascination with Pearl Harbor, and with a pedigree of three titles for Osprey.  Mr. Smith has also written articles for various historical and military science magazines.  

So what happened?  Was it the editing?  Was it poor research?  Did he just blow it?  Osprey on the whole puts out many fine books, and this is unfortunately just not one of them.  It is an enjoyable read, with many fine pictures from the most photographed battle in US history.  It just is not up to par.

 The artwork is spectacular, and the author does give some valuable information if you would like to game Pearl Harbor, or even visit it.  As a general history, it gets most of the well known stuff correct, but then again, that is the information that is included in just about every book on Pearl.  There are no profiles; there are no drawings of the key ships involved.  From what I understand, even the map of ship locations is incorrect.  There is so much more that could have been provided in this book that was left out.  I am not even sure where to start.  

There is apparently a revised edition complete with CD now available.  One hopes that they corrected the numerous errors included in the edition that I have which is circa 1999.

 At this time without corrections to the text, I cannot recommend this book.

 

STOP PRESS!!!!!

 

The New edition is out, with new interior artwork, corrected copy, and additional research by David Aiken.  Also included is a 60^th Anniversary Multimedia CD, that after a quick perusal seems to be interesting, with some useful links, and some artwork.  With the corrected information, updated maps, the multimedia CD and some useful information should you ever get lucky enough to actually visit Pearl Harbor, I amend my recommendation to strongly recommended, especially to those just beginning to study this day in history.

Review copy courtesy of me standing in line at a local bookstore for 15 minutes, and then paying by check.  (The second time around was much more pleasant…)  

Would you like to submit a book review?  Any book any subject is welcome as long as it somehow pertains to US military action during any era.  Mail your reviews to:  

Library@us-aircraft.com or directly to me at rockavenger@hotmail.com