The Navajo Code Talkers

by Bruce Watson

A top secret military code helped win World War II in the Pacific. The unbroken code was not based on numbers or symbols but on birds and whales and fish. This is the story of the Navajo Code Talkers, who left high desert country to storm tropical jungles, armed only with their language and a rare courage in the face of fire.

Author Bruce Watson tells the story, based on interviews and oral histories by the last living Code Talkers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2012

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A great little story about a group of Navajo warriors who where overwhelming responsible for winning the Second World War.

My only complaint is that it was too short

[Abra Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an article about the code breaking skills of the Navajo Indians and the role they played in WWII. I was expecting a longer book.

[Cavak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the subject material that was covered. It was breezy and quick summary of the Navajo Code Talkers that brushes over the highlights of their history. This is great for a quick-and-dirty summary that you can probably read in twenty minutes.

But this isn't much of a book. Aside from its brevity, the formatting was occasionally off. And it doesn't include any citations for the interviews or people. Since the Navajo don't believe in glorifying war, that might be as a show of respect. It does cripple the efforts of anyone wanting to have further reading though.

[Ernest G Travers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but informative book.

It's fitting that a book about the Navajo Code Talkers is a short book. They do not glorify their part in the war and niether does this book. It gives the facts surrounding the formation of the group, without frills. I am glad that I read it and I salute some brave men.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, and enlightening. Disappointed in the amount of content. The book is misrepresented. It is not a book. More like a journal article size with a hard cover over it.
Having said that, I am inspired to learn more about the Navajo Code Talkers.

[sue phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about part of our American history.

Did not know about code talkers until recently. They played such an important part of world war II. My dad was a radio man in the Philippines during world war II. Wish he was still alive to ask him more about them. Great book!

[LAB · Rating 1 out of 5]

Falsely advertised as a book, it was only a pamphlet. Interesting but a disappointment.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice 20 page article on the code talkers. Great overview, would like to read a whole book on the subject.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questions answered

I saw a headline today about the codetalkers and wanted more information. This did it for me. Most of the salient points were covered. Very pleased.

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The wiki page is probably more informative than this book

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son couldn’t put this down. I caught him reading it in bed when he was supposed to be sleeping. He assured me it is “5 stars all the way”.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This pamphlet, I hesitate in calling it a book, gives you a quick view of the role the Navajo people played in World War II, despite the injustices inflicted on them by the United States. As a pamphlet, this document is more into telling about rather than understand the people. Even the telling about is more of a terse statement of what happened. So it is a good introduction to this history, but it did not leave me wanting more-I have that from other readings I have done over the years.

For a little bit more, see my blog.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

short but VERY interesting.

[Jane Dillon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a book. A long article suitable for a popular history magazine for teenagers. Contains leftover editors comments also. Some library wasted their money.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this short text, but too confusing and choppy