Dale A. Jenkins
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Was the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor Inevitable?
Drawing on now-declassified original documents, Diplomats & Admirals reveals the inside story of one fateful year, including:
- How the hidden agendas of powerful civilian and military leaders pushed the two nations toward war
- The miscommunications, misjudgments, and blunders that doomed efforts at peace
- China’s role in the US ultimatum that triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- Why the carrier-to-carrier showdown at Coral Sea proved a fatal mistake for Japan
- How courageous US navy pilots snatched victory from defeat at the Battle of Midway
The defining events of WWII could have ended very differently. Combining perspectives from both military and civilian leaders, Diplomats & Admirals uncovers new insights into the Pacific naval battles that shaped the world—and the men behind them.
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In paperback, eBook and hardcover. ⚓📚
Acclaim
“Dale Jenkins’ fascinating and highly readable new book focused on the months before and after Pearl Harbor offers startling new facts regarding what happened in key, early battles, including the Pearl Harbor attack, the aborted relief of Wake Island, and the opening moves of the Battle of Midway. Based on entirely new research and previously overlooked documents, it provides valuable insight as naval leaders ponder a threatening power in the islands of the South China Sea and Western Pacific.”
—John F. Lehman, Former Secretary of the Navy
“Could war with Japan have been avoided? In attempting to answer this question, Dale Jenkins puts forth an intriguing interpretation of diplomatic activities leading to war with Japan in 1941.”
—Philip L. Dunmire, Past National President, Navy League of the United States
“A cautionary historical tale with haunting contemporary relevance, DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS is a phenomenal book and a ‘must read’ for anyone in search of a deeper understanding of World War II, or even a clearer perspective on how seemingly minor events can cascade into a moment of incredible historical importance. Jenkins is a wonderful storyteller with a rare ability to transform what might otherwise be a dry historical study into a truly captivating and provocative fireside chat. DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS is a necessary addition to the library of any professional diplomat or strategist.”
—Steven Matthew Leonard, Senior Fellow at the Modern War Institute and the Co-Founder of the National Security Blog, Divergent Options
“Jenkins offers a meticulous analysis of the diplomatic and strategic blunders that led to hostilities between the United States and Japan at the beginning of World War II… An impressive one-volume history of the events leading up to the outbreak of war between the United States and Japan.”
—KIRKUS Reviews
“Sometimes history paints events as inevitable. Dale Jenkins, a former U.S. naval officer and staff director of the Council on Foreign Relations, has made an insightful study of the economic and foreign policies of the United States and Japan during the six months leading up to December 7, 1941. Jenkins deftly demonstrates that better communication and planning between civilian and military leaders in both countries might well have avoided the attack on Pearl Harbor—literally at the last second—but for diplomats who allowed Great Britain and China to influence the course.”
—Walter R. Borneman, Author of The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King
“In DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS, Dale Jenkins combines the internecine imbroglios of diplomatic breakdowns between the United States and the Empire of Japan with the harsh reality of war. Jenkins puts his readers in the embassies and backroom before Peal Harbor and aboard the ships, on the beaches, in the air, and in FDR’s White House with the skills of a true historian and talented storyteller.”
—Tim McGrath, Author of John Barry: An American Hero in the Age of Sale and Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America’s Revolution at Sea
“Dale Jenkins has spent years studying one of the greatest dramas of the twentieth century: the months surrounding the destruction of America’s Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The impressive result, DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS, is a lucid and absorbing account of how two nations groped their way toward the cataclysm through a thicket of mutual misunderstandings, and an equally gripping look at the half year of sea war that followed the attack on Pearl, from the gallant and tragic defense of Wake Island to the near-miraculous American victory at Midway, after which Japan had no further hope of prevailing. Told throughout with the greatest verve and authority, DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS belongs on the shelf of anyone who is interested in the Second World War—and anyone who relishes a well-wrought tale of momentous events.”
—Richard Snow, Author of Iron Dawn, A Measureless Peril, and I Invented the Modern Age
MORE ACCLAIM
“DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS is a rigorous retelling of Japanese and American diplomacy in the days, months, and years leading up to the biggest war of the twentieth century, as well as the wartime acts of heroism that decided the fate of two nations. WWII fans should not miss this crisp, authoritative account.”
—Peggy Kurkowski, BookTrib.
“A seminal and groundbreaking work of detailed research, DIPLOMATS & ADMIRALS is a fascinating, informative, exceptional contribution to the growing body of World War II historical analysis. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and college/university library World War II Naval History/Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, military buffs, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.”
—Midwest Book Review
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“Excellent lead into the Pacific War. Explaining primary and underlying reasons of the conflict. Anyone who enjoys or wants to learn more about the diplomatic, strategic decision-making processes that led into and were carried out during the first 6 months of the Pacific War will like this book. It also gives you some initial operational and tactical insight regarding the beginning of the conflict.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A must-read. I couldn’t put this book down. Jenkins’ writing style is crisp and fluid, carrying the events of the war in the Pacific forward and giving the reader a sense of the urgency of the day, every decision, large and small, impacting the outcome of the war.
The chapters on Pearl Harbor, followed by the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway, are illuminating.
The book’s relevance to today’s world can not be understated. Embargoes, growing tensions, military might and readiness, and the critical importance of the Pacific Ocean are all contemporary themes. The human side of war also, was fascinating—power, ego, miscalculation, leadership, and courage.
Jenkins has woven together the military history of WW II in the Pacific with cultural and individual histories and all the complexities within those stories into one remarkable history book.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Outstanding book! Highly recommended! Riveting book with extraordinary detail unlike any I have ever read! You will totally enjoy it!”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book was nicely written and especially well detailed. It certainly displayed the outdated Secretary of State, Hull, and yet, Roosevelt believed he needed a number of Republicans to solidify his presidency. I found it interesting and informative to study the more in-depth education and practices of the Japanese Naval Admirals. A book worth reading and there is much to learn and a good list of sources from which to pursue further interests.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The mark of a great author , to take a dry subject and make it interesting for everyone. Dale Jenkins hit a home run on this one.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful. Broad in scope and detail, Jenkins tells a story much told with freshness, great detail, and thoughtful analysis. Read this!!”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is a highly readable & fascinating narrative of the origins of the conflict between the US & Japan in WW2, capturing how foreign policy, politics, and personalities resulted in war and influenced the strategic execution of it—and how the remarkable bravery and command decisions of US naval personnel achieved victory in the pivotal battle of the Pacific War. A great read for anyone who has ever wanted to understand how the global tragedies of world wars arise, be they WWII scholars or casual readers of history.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Many books have been written about the circumstances leading to Pearl Harbour and the war in the Pacific. This book provides an interesting view of two of the key persons of the war. Well worth the read, even for Pacific War readers with a good grasp of the historical facts from this time period.”
—Verified Amazon Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The fog of war is beautifully portrayed. What insight and balance. Having served in the Vietnamese War this work clearly shows the horror of command. The multiple resets that were required are beautifully replayed. I would have liked even more charting of the maneuvers. I will firstly recommend it to the men I served with in Vietnam and my buddy who graduated from West Point and served in the army. I chose this rating for the sake of my extended family who commanded subs and rose to the rank of 4-star admiral in the submarines and my other relative who commanded the Union Army—they are dead but certainly would have understood. Every fighter has a plan till he gets punched in the face.”
—Verified Amazon Review
