"At Dawn We Slept" by Gordon Prange - Worth it?

mookiemookie · 05-20-10, 07:52 PM

I picked this one up at our company's used book sale for $2.00 today. I'm the type of guy that has to finish a book once I start it, so I figure I'd ask anyone that's read it - is it worth starting on this 800 page monster? It was written in 1981...is it out of date with what we know about Pearl Harbor today? It is good, bad, indifferent?

nikimcbee · 05-20-10, 08:25 PM

I haven't actually read it, but I heard it's one of the best books on PH. I'm embarassed to say I don't own it. On my need to buy list.

Sledgehammer427 · 05-20-10, 10:16 PM

I read it when I realized I was going to fail my senior math course and the teacher didn't bother me. it took a while to get through it, and though I can't remember much (just like the rest of that semester...no drugs or alcohol involved, just a lot of annoying people that made the whole thing easily forgettable)
I did like it, I can't remember anything BAD about it, it's definitely a must read in my opinion, I've read so many books that if I can't remember hating it it must be recommendable!

Sailor Steve · 05-20-10, 10:23 PM

It's excellent. I was fortunate enough to see one of Prange's co-authors, Donald Goldstein, at a history lecture. They interviewed a great many people involved on both sides. It is still the best book on the subject in my opinion.

mookiemookie · 05-20-10, 11:15 PM

Thanks, guys. I'll start it soon!

MrYenko · 05-22-10, 11:38 AM

That book, along with Day of Infamy by Walter Lord, are almost single-handedly responsible for getting me interested in history, when I was a kid.

You know, a little light reading, for a 10 year old... Im a huge nerd.

I haven't read either of them in quite some time. I need to see if my parents still have mine.

05-20-10, 07:52 PM	#1
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	"At Dawn We Slept" by Gordon Prange - Worth it? I picked this one up at our company's used book sale for $2.00 today. I'm the type of guy that has to finish a book once I start it, so I figure I'd ask anyone that's read it - is it worth starting on this 800 page monster? It was written in 1981...is it out of date with what we know about Pearl Harbor today? It is good, bad, indifferent? __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

05-20-10, 08:25 PM	#2
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,925 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I haven't actually read it, but I heard it's one of the best books on PH. I'm embarassed to say I don't own it. On my need to buy list. __________________

05-20-10, 10:16 PM	#3
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,901 Downloads: 280 Uploads: 0	I read it when I realized I was going to fail my senior math course and the teacher didn't bother me. it took a while to get through it, and though I can't remember much (just like the rest of that semester...no drugs or alcohol involved, just a lot of annoying people that made the whole thing easily forgettable) I did like it, I can't remember anything BAD about it, it's definitely a must read in my opinion, I've read so many books that if I can't remember hating it it must be recommendable! __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C!

05-20-10, 10:23 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	It's excellent. I was fortunate enough to see one of Prange's co-authors, Donald Goldstein, at a history lecture. They interviewed a great many people involved on both sides. It is still the best book on the subject in my opinion. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-20-10, 11:15 PM	#5
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	Thanks, guys. I'll start it soon! __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

05-22-10, 11:38 AM	#6
MrYenko Watch Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 30 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	That book, along with Day of Infamy by Walter Lord, are almost single-handedly responsible for getting me interested in history, when I was a kid. You know, a little light reading, for a 10 year old... Im a huge nerd. I haven't read either of them in quite some time. I need to see if my parents still have mine. __________________ Audentes fortuna juvat