Operation Snow: How a Soviet Mole in FDR's White House Triggered Pearl Harbor

by John Koster

Americans have long debated the cause of the December 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. Many have argued that the attack was a brilliant Japanese military coup, or a failure of U.S. intelligence agencies, or even a conspiracy of the Roosevelt administration. But despite the attention historians have paid to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the truth about that fateful day has remained a mystery—until now. In Operation How a Soviet Mole in FDR’s White House Triggered Pearl Harbor , author John Koster uses recently declassified evidence and never-before-translated documents to tell the real story of the day that FDR memorably declared would live in infamy, forever. Operation Snow shows how Joseph Stalin and the KGB used a vast network of double-agents and communist sympathizers—most notably, Harry Dexter White—to lead Japan into war against the United States, demonstrating incontestable Soviet involvement behind the bombing of Pearl Harbor. A thrilling tale of espionage, mystery and war, Operation Snow will forever change the way we think about Pearl Harbor and World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Espionage, Audiobook, Russia, War

350 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

John Koster is the co-author of The Road To Wounded Knee, a best-seller which won the N.J. Sigma Delta Chi Award for Distinguished Public Service in 1974, and of Custer Survivor, which inspired a two-hour documentary on The History Channel. A volunteer Viet Nam-era veteran injured in training with U.S. Army Airborne in 1967, Koster writes regularly for Wild West, Military History, and American History. He has written for American Heritage and National Geographic. He is fluent and literate in French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and rudimentary Lakota, the language of the Sioux. All five of his grandchildren are either part Cherokee or part Sioux.

Reviews

[Translator Monkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read, 'Operation Snow' retells the already well-researched story of Henry Dexter White, who turns out to have been, at worst, a Soviet mole inside the White House, and at best, someone who didn't mind doing favors for members of the NKVD (the precursor to the KGB). In White's own words, if communism is the opposite of fascism, and if we were looking at potentially fighting Nazi Germany, who should the US side with? Well, it's one thing to side with the Soviets, it's another to do their bidding in order to prevent them from having to fight a two-coast war.

That's the main premise of this book - Germany was already on the march toward Moscow, and Japan was making a lot of noise about kicking Ivan's butt in the Pacific theater. The Soviets devised a plan to have Assistant Secretary of the Treasury White to manipulate FDR policy to taunt the Japanese into attacking Pearl Harbor, thus keeping the Soviets from having to spread their guns and butter too thin.

The problem with this premise is that most of it is taken from the then-head of the NKVD from his OWN book called 'Operation Snow' (well, to be fair, it's called 'Операция Снег' but who reads Russian these days?). And the evidence offered for this manipulation is very thin.

Koster is obviously an excellent researcher and well-known historian, but he offers a lot of questionable anecdotal evidence as fact. But he is trying to sell books, after all.

As an interesting aside, he lifts entire sections of the Russian book and presents them as his own, to include the dialogue between White and his handlers. I'm so old, I remember when that was called plagiarism.

Three out of five stars.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one who shies away from most conspiracy theories, I hesitated when considering whether or not to read this book. But, seeing it was a relatively short book, I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did. John Koster provides a detailed look at pre-WW II Japan, as well as a look at the U.S. government policies toward Japan and China during the time leading up to World War II. What was new to me was the description of Harry Dexter White, a senior U.S. Treasury Department official. According to Koster's research, White was not only an active Soviet spy, but as an individual being in a position of influence within the Government, may have been influential in setting U.S. policy toward Japan. These policies may have been crucial in ultimately forcing Japan into an untenable position, leading Japan to conclude that war with the U.S. was their only option. Recently released FBI and Soviet archives now support the fact that White was in fact a spy, and was apparently interested in forcing war between the U.S. and Japan as a means of ultimately strengthening the Soviet Union. White died before his subversive activities became well known, and only three days after testifying before Congressman Richard Nixon and the House Un-American Activities Committee. His death was attributed to an overdose of heart medication, quite probably a suicide due to his being discovered as a spy. In summary, the book presents a good look at pre-war attitudes and policy toward Japan, some new insights into the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a new look at some of the underlying causes of the war.

[Jack Jacobson]

An interesting book about events that are usually covered with a major western slant. This book gives important history of Japanese events in the early 20th century, and explains why American policy make it extremely likely that Japan would declare war on America. It suggests a deeper plot by Stalin, to get America into the war so that he wouldn't have to worry about a two-front war, Germany in the west and Japan in the east. Without Russia's defense against Germany, it's likely that Hitler's troupes would have overrun Moscow, with long term unforeseen consequences for the world. It also shows how one man has the potential to create political situations that reverberate in the world to this day.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that destroy accepted narratives with actual facts, and this one delivers! It shouldn't come as a surprise that America allowed Pearl Harbor to happen, but this delives into exactly how everything transpired.

I'm looking forward to revisiting this once I familiarize myself more with the specific individuals involved.

[Xavier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Digamos que aburre.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book certainly did not deliver what it promised. I really see nothing in the book to tie in Harry Dixon White to the attack on Pearl Harbor. From what I can see he did nothing to change anyones mind on the buildup to the War in the Pacific. The author also makes a stretch and says that White was indirectly responsible for the Battle of the Bulge.

The reason for the 2* rating is that the book does give a very good amount of detail and background on the relationship between Japan and the US and the buildup to the attack at Pearl Harbor.

[Joe Schirtzinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Operation Snow from an informational standpoint, should be a five star read. There are details in this book about World War II that are neatly put together in a way that one would not readily find elsewhere. Indeed, much of the information centers on Mr. White, the Soviet Mole, as you would expect. However, a whole cast of characters comes with his entry, without which he could not have done any of the things he did--and of course history would have been changed drastically.

The reason for the four stars, though, is because the book at times feels a little like a high school essay in the sense that the author is trying to lead the reader into some specific moral conclusions. Mr. Henry White is not really a likeable character in the sense that you know his actions are going to lead directly to the atomic bombing of Japan and cause countless loss of life in addition. Even though it is possible to understand his rejection of his Jewish heritage and his motivation for supporting Russia, there is never a moment where the information presented makes you, as a reader, really LIKE him knowing what is about to follow. Hence, the author would have been safe without plugging in some evangelizing.

Some of the information is a little dated now as well as additional info has emerged. The bottom line though, is that America knew about Pearl Harbor well in advance of Pearl Harbor, and this book tells you the whys and hows concerning the chain of events that culminate in such destruction and loss of life. Even if there is a little moralizing commentary, we can at least understand why.

[Ira Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Dexter White was a spy agent for the Stalin regime of Soviet Union, and I have no doubt that he used his expertise (economics) to get other Russian agents within the higher positions of U.S. politics and banking, in particular the creation of the World Bank.

However, Koster doesn’t connect the dots enough for me as the reader to make White the actual kingpin that causes the actual attack on Pearl Harbor. I understand the Russians’ need to draw America and Japan into war against each other, to stop Japanese expansion in Asia, especially with Hitler’s launch on Ukraine and the Eastern Front of Europe’s War.

Koster also gives us a better understanding of the Chinese, Korean and Philippines part of the Asian expansion and relation to Japan armies pushing out.

And even gives the idea that China was more enthralled in Civil War between the Communists and the Nationalist Party of Chiang Kai-Shek, Instead of the torturous Japanese occupation.

But again that gives us a snap shot of Asia from the late 30’s thru the war, but not putting the actual act in White’s actions. I believe more in the theory that the mainland and Haw-aii are not reading each other’s intercepted messages. So the right hand and the left hand don’t know what each other knows or willing to share the information.

The intelligence was separated back in this era of the O.S. a precursor to what eventually becomes the C.I.A.

It is relatively a fast read, but I’d only recommend for diehard history buffs.

[Don · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. It did not really add anything to what is already known about the lead-to to Pearl Harbor, or to the activities of Harry Dexter White. What it did do is make some great leaps in causation, and serve as an apologetic for Japanese conduct during the Second World War.

The central arguments of the book is that Harry Dexter White, a communist "fellow traveller" identified by both Whitaker Chambers, Elizabeth Bentley, and the decoded Venona cable traffic wrote a memo during U.S.-Japanese negotiations in 1941 which almost single-handedly hardened the U.S. stance and that this caused a breakdown in negotiations and led directly to the attack on Pearl Harbor. That White was an agent for the USSR is not news. The delineation of his background and some of his activities was interesting, but the leaps in causation didn't hold up to the promise of the book's subtitle.

The chapters that offered background on Japanese history and perspectives were the most interesting, but the author's strongly evident pro-Japanese bias, especially at the conclusion of the book, should cause a reader to at least pause and think about the validity of his analyses of events.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think we must already know everything that is knowable about the Pearl Harbor attack, a book like Operation Snow: How a Soviet Mole in FDR's White House Triggered Pearl Harbor comes to my attention. It makes a convicing case based on newly declassified documents about a Soviet spy named Harry Dexter White, a senior official within the US Treasury Department, who was in a position to influence FDR's policies for dealing with Japan and the Far East. The author posits the plan that Stalin wanted to influence US policy to push Japan applying more and more pressure on their economy until they felt there was no other choice but to attack the US. What this would mean for the Soviets is that as US global influence drops, that of the USSR would rise. An interesting revisit to a topic that I have read about many times before by other authors. It also spends time looking at conditions in pre-war Japan and America. Interestingly, it doesn't actually discredit the previous authors that I have read, but rather it fills in some areas that have always been left vague or unexplained. This book would be appreciated by WWII buffs and especially those who have read extensively about the Pearl Harbor attacks.

[Wes Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, makes the need for more in-depth research necessary. The layout of the book makes it easy to see the connections trying to be established but the connection between Mr. White and the onset of Pearl Harbor is very circumvent and could have still be avoided if others had not been influenced by his writings and policy. In this regard the book brings more questions then answers: why was Mr. White so influencial....the book claims it was because of his intelligence but I find it hard to understand that intellect alone was the only reason. A good book that has a lot of stop and think moments and helps add context and background to the events leading up to Pearl Harbor but seems to take on a much more pro-japanese flavor, almost to the point of sheltering their reasons behind the attack.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unconvincing. I do believe that Japan was less inclined to war with the US than is commonly thought and that the US took some actions that effectively goaded Japan into an attack that was more or less expected but poorly prepared for on the US side. I also believe that the Soviets thought that a war between the US and Japan would be in their interests and that they took some steps to push the US in that direction. I also believe that Harry Dexter White while occupying an influential post in the US Treasury Dept was actively working for the Soviets, though he probably also saw himself as a patriotic American and didn't see a contradiction between the two. But you can't take that set of circumstances and turn Pearl Harbor into a Soviet plot. This book goes two or three bridges too far, and Koster is unapologetically pro-Japanese to a point that strains his credibility.

[Eduardo Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always fascinated with people that systematically dismiss "conspiracy theories" as if History is in that domain virgin. On the contrary, I sustain that History is a collection of conspiracies, sucessful or otherwise.
Ir is well known today that Henry Dexter White (former Weiss) was a spy working for USSR benefit. This book focus on his accomplishments in fabricating a situation of inevitably war between Japan and US. Of course, he was not alone in this plot. FDR was himself a warmonger always eager to corner his adversaries regardless of his solemn promis to not engage US on the European war. Once again he had decided to rescue Stalin.
In brief, a good read even if you will not find many new information.

[Ksorb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Operation Snow is an examination of the background political and military workings leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, focusing skeletally on White, a very high-ranking politician and economist, who happened to also be a Communist with the ear of FDR.

The jury in my own mind is still out... This dry, textbook-like history of espionage, political motives, code names, etc. could be compelling fiction spawned from McCarthy Cold-War paranoia - or it could be the truth. It is, I suspect, both to some degree, in that facts don't always reveal motives, and the psychological fact that, as human beings, we see what we want to see or what we fear.

It should be made into a film-noire drama...in black and white. (Black and Mr. White!)

[JW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting thesis, that Harry Dexter White, a Soviet agent of influence in FDR’s Treasury Department, helped bring about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The argument is that the Soviets wanted to be sure that Japan would not attack Russia in Asia so they intrigued to have Japan pointed against the United States.
Koster presents thought provoking background information about Japanese politics in the 20s and 30s, portraying a government whose foreign policy was, in large measure, an attempt to constrain domestic unrest.
White certainly promoted the policy of his Soviet handler, but his was not the only anti-Japanese voice in the administration. Was he really so influential, or was he just one more voice in the pro-war choir?
A very well written book.

[Chet Slonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if The U.S. Fleet moved to San Diego rather than stay at Pearl Harbor? What if Pearl Harbor were given more PBYs and bombers for their fleet protection? What if Russia was never given the two "tractors" from the U.S. covertly for their mass production of tanks? What if Britain would have made a treaty with Germany and Germany could have gone full speed ahead against Russia? What if the third aerial wave by the Japanese occurred? This book is full of thought provoking information that and things could have been much different as this tale tells. China, Japan, Korea, Europe, Russia eventually the United States were the world players that penned the making of history and today's world. If you are a history buff, you will absolutely love this book.

[Pete Zilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this real life spy story about a Soviet mole in the FDR administration that changed the course of history. The author’s compelling argument is that FDR “let three self serving hacks and a Soviet secret agent provoke a war” that neither the administration wanted nor was the military ready for. After reading this book I can’t believe that that this is the first I had heard of Operation Snow or Harry White.

[Cal McCormick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes every opportunity to downplay Japanese atrocities in China, and overstates the role of Harry Dexter White when compared to other figures frequently mentioned in this book like Morgenthau.

It seems rather apparent that the narrator has taken on this effort to absolve Japan of any agency in Pearl Harbor, but rather it was simply forced into this position by the evil Western powers who denied oil and grain for it’s war machine

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried listening to the audio book and after three chapters I stopped and downloaded another book. This book is horrible, the narrator was an awful choice, he read in such a monotonous, monotone voice I wanted to scream.

It was as if the narrator was reading from a Congressional report.

I cannot recommend this book.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite, it was a bit confusing and not sure the questions were really answered as much as just put out there. Seemed like some things were either taken for granted that you knew the inherent importance of the matter, or maybe it just wasn't written all that engagingly. Found it a fine narration, but not the best.

[Arthur Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy WW2 history. I had heard in the past that FDR and the military knew about Pearl Harbor in advance. This book tells the real story of spies from the USSR impacting the USA. Also tells more of a real story of the Japanese prior to WW2 as opposed to the movie story. A good book to read especially today in our world of news and news manipulation

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole new look into the inner workings of a Soviet spy that led to Pearl Harbor. The testimony direct from history is striking and despite really grabbing anything and everything tied to WWII, exposed a side of history I never had before heard of.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good introduction to a part of the lead up to the war that I knew little about. It does help explain the strong shift from concern about Germany to concern to the Soviet Union. Others have said this book covers already-known facts, but if you don't know it, it's a good introduction.

[Mike Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening and revelatory, but feels a bit one sided.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had good background info and a lot of facts on the political side.
I thought the hearing was very interesting

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting in that John Koster shows that FDR had a communist mole and communist sympathizers in his white house.

[Yasser Maniram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of global strategy, human nature for self-preservation and deceit.

[Tawm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Work serves as a good primer for those that wish to understand the origins of the world wars and geopolitical situation in the run-up to the second war.

[Jaclyn Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the war. Lots of conspiracy and unknowns. If you enjoy history books, this is a decent read.

[Christena Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fascinating history of the origins of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.