Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng

by Nathan Aaseng

book

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, World War II, War, Native American, Military History

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Dipanjan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few years ago, after watching the Nicholas Cage movie ''The wind talkers'' i had come to learn about the diminutive coloured Navajo tribe for the first time. The Navajos are the ancient tribal people living in America throughout long long years, whose origin is quite difficult to find out. The book 'Navajo code talkers' provides the readers valuable information about the past tragic history as well as the age old culture of the Navajo tribe . In the later chapters of the book the outstanding achievement of the Navajo code talkers in the pacific theater of war has been vividly described by the author. While the US marines confronted directly with the ferocious Japanese soldiers island by island, the Navajo warriors added impetus to the US war effort by transmitting valuable information to the front line in a coded language, which even the most intelligent Japanese code experts could not decipher. The Navajo's work in the battlefield was held in such cocoon of secrecy that even long years after the end of WW2 , their contribution to the pacific victory was not deliberately recognized.

This is how the author describes the worth of the Navajo code in time of dire need : ''A good code is like a well-crafted component of an automobile engine. The contributions of the individual engine parts are seldom appreciated until the car breaks down at a crucial time. In the same way, the code talkers’ role consisted, for the most part, of reliable performing a routine job. The tremendous contribution of the Navajo code can best be understood by considering what happened to the Japanese when their codes broke down.'' At least ten thousands of marines' lives were saved due to the sacrifice of the Navajo code talkers. The Navajos had to work under the constant threat of being caught alive by the Japanese. The Japanese tried most of the times to catch the Navajos alive in order to extract information about the mysterious code language from them by applying unimaginable brutal physical torture on them. Yet not a single Navajo did yield to the enemy. They proved their caliber and mettle from Guadalcanal to Tarawa, from Guam to Saipan, from Iwojima to Okinawa again again, far surpassing the merit and efficiency of the conventional US code talkers each time.

Despite the long history of shameless racial discrimination and exploitation of the Navajo tribe by the U.S. government , They never showed reluctance when their nation had felt their need in history's darkest hour. They had promptly responded to the call of duty and eventually had become an inseparable part of US military. Out of 10000 Navajo code talkers nearly 3600 were killed or wounded in the battlefield reminding the world once again the famous quote by Winston Churchill, ''Never was so much owed by so many to so few.''

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is informative about the Navajo code talkers. I've read several books on the code talkers and this ranks up there with the best. A short and quick read.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for a young adult audience, this book provides a great introduction to the fascinating story of the Navajo Code talkers, their treatment throughout America’s history, why they were recruited to help the Marines, and the large role they played in insuring the success of the military in the Pacific during WWII. I thought it was very interesting and readable. Would be great for kids in 4th grade on up to anyone who wants to learn a little about the Navajo Code Talkers or WWII. There is an index in the back of the book for those who want to dig a little deeper into the topics the book covers.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy to understand and well written history of the Navajo Code Breakers and their role in WWII. There are some good photographs in here that depict the Navajo Code Breakers. This book does a good job of giving a concise history of the Navajo Code Breakers from conception to the end of the war.

Overall I enjoyed learning about this lesser known aspect of WWII. I would recommend for middle grade and older readers who are interested in history and WWII.

[Elizabeth Coley]

Interesting story about a little known aspect of WW2. Informative read.

[Adalbertos]

Navajo code talkers is a great book for those people who are highly interested in war strategies. As one begins to read this great book it's tell the heroic story of a group that has been stepped on by the united states. Even with this they proved their loyalty and courage to fight with the American soldiers during world war 2. As one reads about the Navajos a question comes to mind, why would they help the united states after what the USA has done to them? It comes to show that Navajos had some courage and great loyalty to their home country.

What made an asset to the victory of the USA during world war 2 were in fact the navajo language. Navajos extraordinary complex language proved to be the unbreakable code America needed to make it's armies through the pacific islands without japan being able to interpret their messages. While reading you get action and images in your head because of the great details that is described by the Navajos in the story. 425 Navajos were recruited during the war while in service they risked their lives in order to run the radio equipment.

Great book to read one can easily recommend this book for those interested in military strategies and historical events. This book doesn't just focus on the navajos language which helped bring the USA to victory during world war 2. It also focuses on the USA struggles in the pacific. This book focuses and goes into deeply on the importance and difficulties of language and the differences of culture struggles between the marines and the Navajos.

[Boone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and I'm glad i read it.This book is about the type of soldier called the Navajo code talkers.This book was made to teach us about the soldiers that mostly won us World War 2. I think the author did a great job showing the immense help the Navajo code talkers gave to us in times of need. Even after what we did to their people the Navajo soldiers still were very loyal to the army.

This books theme is forgive and forget. I think this because the Navajo Indians that fought in the war forgave the american people for doing all the mean and terrible things to their people. The Navajo would use there secret language to create a code that no other army could break. This code won the us many battles and one big war. Having a code gives the army many advantages such as surprise attack on the enemy. If I could I would not change anything about this book it is a great read and I am glad I read it.

[Codys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because I love wa books and it sounded interesting. HISTORIC FICTION. A boy who lives in the U.S and wants to become a marien. hes a young man wanting to go to war! He gets to go to war but he relizes that its not all fun and games. He wins all his wars and lives happyly this book is a good book its about war thats why I love it and it goes through all these famous wars and he (the main character) goes through it all.

[Richard Bandejas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entry 1, If I had an interview with a Navajo code talkers, my first impression would be with them to not be out going, because from a very poor system and tribe to come directly into a war they had nothing to do with they would be shy and have short sentences of answers. Because some of them don´t know English, so they would might have a rough time speaking and understanding and they would be shy and fear the big powers of other people who have something against their team their helping. Also, since they were the secret weapons, they would not want to talk about their real job and scared about if their boss finds out if they told all of their secrets, even if the war is already over.

Entry 2, If I was going to make a news paper, I would have the code talkers with their tribe members picture, to show where they are from and their culture, also I would right about this after, so the enemies won´t know until they are defeated, but I would write about what their job was for, the Navajo code talkers had to be there at the same time of a battle, or capture, to update the U.S on information about the Pacific places and if the area is clear, they helped intercept Japanese codes and made it into sometimes false statements for the Japanese to see and trap them and cause heavy casualties.

Entry 3, If I became a code talker, I would try to blend in as a villager from the islands, so the Japanese marines won´t get after my tail, if they put every villager in jail, then I would be in the jungle trying to hide, also I would not want to get near the enemies because they sometimes are suicide troops and they never surrender, no matter what. I think if I were there under battle, I would try to be in a safe area, like in a secret area, or an area where no one will go, so I won´t be where the bombs are and I need to have a birds eye view and I will need Binoculars for scouting.

Entry 4: If I were to write a different ending for the book, I would make the Japanese have victory in the U.S islands and I would want them to be near and hopefully the Navajo code talkers would be praised to help and be depended than just be not noticed and not treated with big respect, because this would be a nail biting war, also this could be a chance for the Navajo people to become known as great people or idols for Americans, this ending would result for an all out warfare and cause the Japs to notice their atomic bomb and stop them, resulting to no conflicts for our present with rulers and bombs, also this would allow the U.S to fight more than code talking and secretive, but I think the U.S would win still.

[Greg Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very moved by the courage, strength and generosity of spirit these men demonstrated in protecting a country that had done them great harm and repeatedly turned its back on them.

The Navajo could have been destroyed by the forced relocation of the “Long Walk “. They survived this harrowing journey snd the theft of their land. They could have been beaten down by virtual imprisonment on some if our country’s harshest land. They survived.

We stole their children and tried to steal their language and erase their customs. They held fast to their identity. Their voices, their language, so foreign to us though rooted in thousands of years making this their home, carried us through the bloodiest of battles.

A brief note reminds us that, much like the black men who served our country abroad, these men returned to the shadows at home. Their contributions were unacknowledged for decades. They returned to the lowest caste of our society, left jobless and starving on reservations with little education or chance for advancement.

Part of this was practicality. We kept their special gift secret in case we needed it again. Assuming that they would overlook yet another slight when asked to serve a country that barely acknowledged their right to exist.

[Mary P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about these remarkable people who helped us tremendously to win World War II. The United States showed them no respect or appreciation for their contribution to our war effort until 1982. There were few in charge in the military who acknowledged the Navajo’s value and showed them any respect at all. They were entirely left out of any news reports applauding their help. It is really sad that these people were treated so badly and yet when they were needed they stepped up to help the United States. There are still many who treat minorities this way and it is embarrassing for a country as great as ours to show racism and bias for our own citizens who don’t deserve it.

[Jerry Borrowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really came to love the Navajo Code Talkers. But it is important to understand their culture to fully appreciate the sacrifices they made to serve in the battles of the Pacific. I read this book while researching a chapter for my book, "Invisible Heroes of World War II" and I came to have the highest regard for the integrity of these men and the gentleness of their spirits. I highly recommend this book.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair, basic introduction to the creation and purpose and struggles of the Navajo Code Talkers in WWII. I don’t usually care for books written by non-natives but this author did a good job for the 90s in recognizing how the government did us dirty and did truly try to center the experiences of the code talkers themselves. Some of the language was still problematic and I’d rather read about this from the Code Talkers themselves and their direct personal experiences.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this short book about Navajo culture and language, how the Navajo code was unusual, the US government's treatment of the Navajo (before and after the war) and how difficult it must have been for the Navajo code talkers. The book did a little of everything, but I wish it had developed some ideas more fully.

[Richard Jacobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good narrative about the courage and discipline of Navajo Code Talkers and their deployment with Marines in the battles for Pacific islands in World War II. Discusses some of the culture, prejudice and language difficulties these brave warriors faced. Written with a youth audience in mind. Great history resource for WWII studies.

[Rebecca D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for my kids but I was the one who ended up reading it! This is a short, but informative book that briefly discusses the part the Navajo Code Talkers had in WWII. They played a crucial role in many American victories and you learn about some of their valuable contributions in this book.

[Debby Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how educational this book was. I learned about the code talkers, some of the Navajo traditions, and how instrumental they were in winning WII battles in the South Pacific. The photographs and maps were an additional bonus. A nice book for young readers who want to learn more about these people, their culture, and what these brave heroes did to help preserve freedom.

[Catwalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for teen readers, but the story of the Navajo Code Talkers in the US Marine Corps Signalling and Communications group in the Pacific theatre during WWII was compelling. This history had been kept secret until the late 1960s because the encryption technique using the Navajo language was so effective that the Japanese never broke the code and the US military wanted to protect it in case it would be needed again.

[Eben B. Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Respect and compassion for our Native Americans

I choose to read this book because I am visiting the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. I like to be aware and informed of the historical and cultural features before arriving.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has sat on my bookshelf for years...I bought it in Hawaii in 2002. Why I waited so long to read about this integral part of American history is beyond me.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully concise and well flowing (be it short) look at the impact and contribution of the Navajo during WWII.

[Audie Verde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information. Not a book for flow. Some outdated views on anglo/BIPOC relations. I learned a lot about the actual building and implementation of the Navajo Code Talkers.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. The only reason I gave it three stars is that it’s only 105 pages and a memoir rather than an exhaustive treatise.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short informative book. Does not go into a lot of depth; so treat this as a primer because it's only 100 pages.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick narrative nonfiction about the Navajo Code Talkers used by the United States in the Pacific against Japan during WWII. Very interesting. Aimed at middle school/high school.

[Pardis Koplos]

Summer 2016 Reading

[Jamie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, well written.

[Wendy Sparrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been interested in the history of code talkers since I first heard about them and this was a great read for adults or kids. While you could tell there was some subjectivity to the way it was presented the bias wasn't so strong that you felt your emotions were being directed. It was just an awesome read. Not only did you learn about the code talkers themselves, but there was a lot of information on decoding and the war itself. And given that the Navajos who served in the war were heroes...that the book was clearly sympathetic toward their side felt justified.

I highlighted a bunch of interesting stuff in the book--and actually stopped reading to go tell people in my family about what I was reading...this excerpt from the book on the code they created was really interesting:

This alphabet was especially useful in communicating locations. For example, if a code talker was transmitting orders to attack the island of Saipan, he could say "Al-tah-je-jay dsibeh wol-la-chee tkin bi-sodih wol-la-chee nesh-chee." The code talker receiving the message would translate this message as "Attack sheep ant ice pig ant nut." He would recognize the alphabet words and would spell out "Saipan," using the first letters of each of the English words.

***

Great subject and a well-written book. You can't go wrong with this one.

[Larry Killion · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Navajo Code Talkers by Nathan Aaseng.

149 pages of large print easy reading. It also has photos taken in the field and an illustrative map of the South Pacific Islands. If you like history, the military or native American culture, you will like this book. The Navajo are unique even among the native Americans. Early in the days of WW2 a white missionary's son saw how the need for an unbreakable code for communication was needed by our armed forces. He believed the Navajo people were the answer. Although met with resistance all along the way, by persistent dedication the Navajo Code Talkers program prevailed and showed itself to be very valuable in the war effort. Because of the secret nature of their job, those brave men in this program were not recognized for their part in our victories in the South Pacific. One Marine Major is quoted as saying, "Were it not for the Navajo Code Talkers, the Marines never would have taken Iwo Jima." You know, the flag picture. It was not until 1969 that there was any national recognition at all for these heroic Navajo men in our national heritage. ”

[Awallens · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the Pacific front during World War II, strange messages were picked up by American and Japanese forces on land and at sea. The messages were totally
unintelligible to everyone except a small select group within the Marine Corps: the Navajo code talkers-a group of Navajos communicating in a code based
on the Navajo language. This code, the first unbreakable one in U.S. history, was a key reason that the Allies were able to win in the Pacific.

Navajo Code Talkers tells the story of the special group, who proved themselves to be among the bravest, most valuable, and most loyal of American soldiers
during World War II.
This is a book marketed to young adults, and it was a good introduction to the Navajo Code talkers. Definitely a good introduction to this topic. Of course though, there is more to learn , which I hope to do sooner rather than later.