From Pearl Harbor to Calvary: True Story of the Lead Pilot of the Pearl Harbor attack and His Conversion to Christianity

by Mitsuo Fuchida, Karl Choi (Narrator), Florence DeShazer (Foreword)

Mitsuo Fuchida was a Captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service who is perhaps best known for leading the first air wave attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Fuchida was responsible for the coordination of the entire aerial attack working under the overall fleet commander Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo. After World War II ended, Fuchida became an evangelist, Christian preacher and frequently traveled to the United States to minister to the Japanese expatriate community. He became a United States citizen in 1966. His autobiography was originally released in 1953, and this edition will be published to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2011.

Genres: Biography, History, Christian, Nonfiction, Audiobook, World War II, Christian Non Fiction

95 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book contains two incredible stories of redemption and forgiveness. Both of these men were famous or infamous depending on which country you are from. They both became consumed with hate as the war went on, but both found peace. It is really a very beautiful story. One man found Christ when he through the fear of death, and the other through a desperate longing for peace. How God orchestrated that makes a wonderful story.
I would recommend it to everyone.
It’s extremely short, so as a story it’s not great literature. The author just wants us to see Christ can forgive us and give us peace if we accept Him.
The audio-book that I listened to included two radio interviews. They were interesting, but they really just rehashed what was in the book. I would recommend skipping the first one, and going directly to the book so you skip the spoilers in the interview.

[Brandon Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book had me in tears. This is an amazing story of forgiveness and salvation concerning the conversation of Mitsuo Fuchida. Fuchida was the air fleet commander who led the attack against Pearl Harbor. This is an incredible story.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but good story. Will have my kids read this when they are older.

[Laura-Anne Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

What a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption in Christ! It is an amazing picture of how He takes us, his enemies, and makes us his friends.

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The phrase, I didn't want this book to end, is certainly true in this case. God shows Himself to be amazing and able to break down any barrier by winning this man to Christ to witness to his enemies. He is a straightforward witness who would have had my attention had he chosen to embellish with emotional and visual details. I look forward to meeting him when I get to Heaven when we have plenty of time and he does not feel like going on at some length is a dereliction of other duty.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that shows how Mitsuo Fuchida’s life changed after the end of WWII when he encountered hearing God’s Word and salvation. A destroyer of lives during Pearl Harbor but a witness for lives to be saved by God’s amazing grace in the end. The story includes briefly the mention of the Doolittle Raiders, DeShazer that impacted the citizens of Japan and the Philippines with the Gospel.

[NinaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started and finished reading this coincidentally on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. What moving testimonies of God’s Grace shining through in the lives of two different men during one of the most awful times in modern history.

I was moved to tears hearing about the American young lady who lovingly reached out to the Japanese soldiers, despite losing her parents in the hands of their colleagues. Only a changed heart by Christ could motivate such selfless service.

I almost rated this low because it felt incomplete, had some questionable explanation of the path to salvation, and the missionaries’ being led by God’s audible voice. But, I want to give the publisher the benefit of the doubt. The author died in the 1970’s and so there is no way to ask him to elaborate and clarify on his conversion story. And I’m willing to concede that perhaps I misunderstood the missionaries’ practice.

The story affected me personally because I was also introduced to the glorious gospel through the labor of love of GI men who returned to the Philippines as missionaries after WW2. I am forever indebted to them for their love and service, both as soldiers for Uncle Sam and for Christ, toward my countrymen despite the horrific experience these GI’s endured there during the war.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4 -- This is too short. It doesn't go into detail about anything. It's just a summary. Although the audio is two hours long, interviews take half of that. Still, I’m glad I listened to it.

[Watermarked Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story about the Japanese pilot who lead the attack on Pearl Harbor and an American pilot who bombed Japan, and how both became Christians and were transformed.

I’m interested in how people from totalitarian countries change their minds. Central to both these stories is forgiveness. The Japanese pilot was searching for what could bring peace to mankind, and was stunned by the testimony of an American who endured a Japanese POW camp and then came to Japan to share about Christ.

The ministry they started had a military model (soldiers for Christ type), which doesn’t sit well with me. But in a post-WWII culture where everyone had been thinking in terms of patriotism and military service for years, it made sense to use those ideals as a springboard for discussing following Christ in the Christian life.

[Candiebarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

More interesting than I expected. Some parts came off as sounding a little predatory, hopefully more just from culture differences and the time period rather than anything else. Especially since those parts were largely about young boys. Quite a few of the people also came off as potentially dangerous zealots, so a bit more details of their lives and a bit less "... we will raise up and army of Christian soldiers" would be nice. In the second half, its obvious this was written just to convert people. while I understand that that is largely the point, I feel like it could have been done in a more personal way, which in my opinion would not only suit a biography better, but would be more convincing to anyone that isn't already a Christian.

[W. Derek Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Powerful Story of God’s Power to Transform Lives

As a student of history whose lifelong love of history began with reading all manner of books about World War II, I have a great interest in this book. It is a quick read, and an amazing personal account of how Mitsuo Fuchida, the man who led the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, came to faith in Jesus Christ. In this book, Fuchida also recounts how Christ changed him from a man who was driven by hatred to a man who subsequently dedicated his life to spreading the love and Good News of Jesus Christ.

I personally found this book very encouraging, and inspiring. After reading this book, I have a greater desire to serve Jesus Christ. I hope you will find much encouragement from reading this book, too!

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Father-in-law was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, and it did not seem that he forgave the Japanese for the rest of his life. I am sad when I think about that, because he mostly lived as a Christian person. I wish he had read this book before he passed away, because it might have given him some peace. This is an incredibly inspirational story. If you’ve ever seen the movie Tora, Tora, Tora, you saw a very factual account of Fuchida leading the Japanese attack, and to think that he was converted in thee manner than he did was truly amazing. It is a very moving story. I only wish the ending had told a little more about what happened after he joined Sky Pilots International. It seemed like some of the story was left untold.

[Carlinbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring Testimony!

Tonight Robbie Spencer, our Bible Study Fellowship lecturer told us about Mitsuo Fuchida. He told us Fuchida became a Christian missionary partly because of the example of Peggy Covall. Peggy’s parents were missionaries in Japan and the Phillipines. They were executed by the Japanese Army in 1943. Peggy was at first filled with hatred for the Japanese, but repented and served in a POW camp during the last year of the war, ministering to the Japanese prisoners. Her parents were two of the Hopevale Martyrs.

I was interested enough to find this book and read it tonight. So glad I did. It is well worth your time to learn about these saints!

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating, though very short read. Some questionable theology is expressed at times, likely developed as an influence of the author's culture and personal experiences. But at the same time, the zeal and passion these men had for sharing the gospel is fantastic and inspiring. That makes this book well worth reading. I also appreciate the focus on Christ and the gospel more than on the details of Fuchida's life. That is how a testimony should be, because ultimately it is about Christ, not about us.

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a long time of wanting to pick this up for a quick read, I finally did after my son asked me if he could read it. In terms of narrative, it is very interesting. However, theologically there are some objectionable statements downplaying God’s divinely appointed missions agency (the Church) in favor of a manmade effort (Sky Pilots). This is standard fare for mid-twentieth century copy writing for parachurch missions agencies. Regardless, DeShazer’s and Fuchida’s stories are remarkable and well worth knowing.

[C. G. Telcontar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is really just a recruiting tract mixed with a lot of self congratulations from various Jesus people of the era about civilizing postwar Japan via conversion to the Jesus cult. Fuchida gives his 'testament' up front and then disappears from the narrative, to be replaced with the story of one of the Doolitle Raiders, Jabo DeShazer, and his Jesus journey, told by his widow, and then a recording of a live call in show for Jesus.

Complete trash. I only read it to get at Fuchida's life story, knowing roughly what I was in for, but there is no end to the gutter when Christians are trying to 'save' souls.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming story

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this amazing man and his amazing story. I had no idea!!! The book was brief and i liked that. I would highly recommend it - to Christians and non-Christians alike. Regardless of one's own position and perspective of religion, Mitsuo Fuchida's story is compelling. Andclearly he is sincere in his conversion and his faith is genuine.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An encouraging story of how the gospel of Christ can transform hate filled soldiers in both sides of pearl harbor.

It's also an interesting window into the mid-twentieth century evangelistic practices that were so common in America. Pragmatism, high profile convert testimonies, parachurch ministries, large gatherings and altar calls.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!! This is such an unknown story of redemption and hope despite such terrible events. The actual autobiography is accompanied by real interviews with the people who were involved in the events. This really brought the story and the war itself to life for me as a person so removed from the history.

[Jenny Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once an enemy, now a brother.

I have become a history student and when my husband told me the person who lead the raid on Pearl Harbor wrote a book as a Christian, I had to read it. I so enjoyed seeing the Japanese perspective of America before the war and life after. I look forward to seeing him one day on the other side.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! I had already listened to a biography of Jacob DeShazer, who is referenced in this book. And I’ve been to the Air Force museum to see the silver goblets of the Doolittle Raiders. It was neat to hear this side of the story. The first part of the book was shorter than expected, but I especially loved the interviews during the second half.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning testimony. I had heard of this story and was glad to see a copy of it at my local library. It is the like a long tract and can be read in an evening or two. Very encouraging description of God's Providential work.

[Timothy J. Yee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick worthy read

This is primarily a firsthand recounting of the conversion of pilot Fuchida and his subsequent invitation to be the lead missionary for a mission organization in Napan

[Cheryl Mellema · Rating 5 out of 5]

From War to Peace

An amazing, albeit short, story of how the man responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor put away his sword of vengeance after the wars end, and found peace and a new purpose in becoming Christ's ambassador to Japan. An inspiring true story.

[Susan Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of "From Pearl Harbor to Calvary"

This short book really shows the power of God to change the hatred of men to the love of God for former enemies. I very much recommend this book and hope all who read it will know the love of God and His saving power from sin.

[Elaine O'Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome testimony

From an enemy of the United States to a faithful follower of Jesus; to a humble servant, sharer of the gospel in Japan and the United States. Amazing how God thru Jesus can change a heart and destiny.

[Charity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great story, terribly written.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great testimony

What a testimony to the Christian faith - someone who wanted to wreak havoc on another country then came to work alongside them doing Gods work. Lovely story.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but inspiring story about the man who lead the attack on Pearl Harbor, and how he came to Christ and became a warrior for Christ's Kingdom.

[Mark Loughridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short - but good