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Pearl Harbor a Novel of December 8th Theme: War

Thematic Statement: War against an enemy is immanent, but if you want to attack first attack vicious and deadly and make sure you can defeat the enemy when they decide to fight back.

Title: Pearl Harbor a Novel of December 8th

Author: Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

Setting: China, U.S/Hawaii, Japan, Europe, Singapore, Nanking, Manchuria

Point of View: 3rd Person

Main Characters and a brief description of each: Cecil Stanford: Stanford was humorous but serious British man who spent 8 years in Japan teaching Japanese soldiers English. He then investigated the war and the Japanese.

Mitsuo Fuchida: Fuchida was Japanese pilot and friends of Watson and Stanford before the war. (not after or during)

James Watson: Watson was a former friend of Fuchida and former US navy captian was relieved of his duties because he lost his hand when the USS Panay was attacked.

Central Conflict and how was it related to the theme: The Americans and allies disagreed disgusted about Japan's war tactics and how they killed innocent civilians and used them as practice. The Japanese had traditions about being honorable and proud but the soldiers abandoned these during war times. The Japanese tried to spark a war with America by attacking the USS Pannay but the Americans did not declare war. The Japanese knew they had to do something big so they attacked Pearl Harbor igniting the war.

How was the theme developed? WW ll had already been started and the Japanese were moving farther into China and the Pacific Islands. While Hitlers regime spread all over Europe. The Japanese had an imperalistic mind set and wanted to conquer Asia to the west and the Americas to the east. The Japanese tried to spark a war with America by stricking first but in a small way. When America did not declare war they realized it would take something much bigger. Thus the Pearl Harbor attack began.

If this was a newly selected author, would you read another story by him/her? Yes, because he went into great detail in every thing from how the character was dressed and why to what condition the plane was in. Although he did not transition very well you could still understand what was happening world wide, when and why. There was a lot of dialogue and you could sense the way each character was talking whether it be with a sense of urgency, humor, or anger. He used the events that took place and led them up into an exciting climax.

Which was your favorite? Why? Pearl Harbor a Novel of December 8th was my favorite because is showed more war tactics and explained what was happening all around the world leading up to Pearl Harbor. It showed what the Japanese where doing all over the world from soldiers and pilots to diplomats and world leaders. It also described Japan's true culture and identity and their hunger for power and to be recognized as a power on the global stage. They wanted to please their emperor and follow a strict code of honor and respect no what the cost. The Japanese however showed aggression and anger while they slaughtered and tortured everyone standing in their way. This book showed what was really behind Japan's plans and attacks leading up to and Pearl Harbor.

Briefing Room