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SEVEN DAYS OF INFAMY accounts of Pearl Harbor from those who watched it unfold
A COMPELLING LOOK AT THE TURNING POINT OF WORLD WAR II TOLD BY THOSE WHO WATCHED IT UNFOLD.
‘A brisk, suspenseful World War II narrative.’ Kirkus Reviews
‘Excellent . . . The real strength of his book . . . lies in its taut sense of the wider impact the Japanese attacks had internationally, from Ottawa to Canberra.’ The Christian Science Monitor
December 7, 1941 — a day that would live in infamy.
People all over the world remembered exactly where they were when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In this fascinating account, Nicholas Best brings to life the recollections of key figures not normally associated with this historical event.
Hollywood stars such as Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable offer a compelling insight into thesocial and cultural impact of American vulnerability.
Accounts from future US presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, as well as British officials and Japanese strategists, reveal missed opportunities and intelligence failures.
Offering a human insight into an event that would forever alter the course of the conflict, Best brings to life the reactions and memories of people caught up in the whirlwind of war.
PRAISE FOR SEVEN DAYS OF INFAMY:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Informative and wide-ranging view of the perspective of people all over the world on Pearl Harbor. I had no idea that there were actually people who cheered at the news.’ Patricia F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This read very easily. I learned many interesting facts about the attack.’ John P.
‘A brisk, suspenseful World War II narrative.’ Kirkus Reviews
‘Excellent . . . The real strength of his book . . . lies in its taut sense of the wider impact the Japanese attacks had internationally, from Ottawa to Canberra.’ The Christian Science Monitor
December 7, 1941 — a day that would live in infamy.
People all over the world remembered exactly where they were when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In this fascinating account, Nicholas Best brings to life the recollections of key figures not normally associated with this historical event.
Hollywood stars such as Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable offer a compelling insight into thesocial and cultural impact of American vulnerability.
Accounts from future US presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, as well as British officials and Japanese strategists, reveal missed opportunities and intelligence failures.
Offering a human insight into an event that would forever alter the course of the conflict, Best brings to life the reactions and memories of people caught up in the whirlwind of war.
PRAISE FOR SEVEN DAYS OF INFAMY:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Informative and wide-ranging view of the perspective of people all over the world on Pearl Harbor. I had no idea that there were actually people who cheered at the news.’ Patricia F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This read very easily. I learned many interesting facts about the attack.’ John P.
- GenresHistoryWorld War II
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2024
About the author
Nicholas Best
49 books44 followersNicholas Best grew up in Kenya and was educated there, in England and at Trinity College, Dublin. He served in the Grenadier Guards and worked as a journalist in London before becoming a full time author.
His first novel ('As a satire on military bigotry and shambling officialdom, Where were you at Waterloo? is in places as sharp as Waugh and sometimes better' - Times Literary Supplement) was written at Harvard. His second, Tennis and the Masai ('The funniest book of the year - Daily Telegraph) was serialized on BBC Radio 4.
He has since written many other books, including Happy Valley: the Story of the English in Kenya, The Greatest Day in History, about the Armistice of 1918, and Five Days that shocked the World, about the end of the Second World War.
Best was the Financial Times's fiction critic for ten years. In 2010, he was long-listed for the Sunday Times-EFG Bank award of £30,000, the biggest short story prize in the world. He lives in Cambridge.
For more information, visit www.nicholasbest.co.uk
His first novel ('As a satire on military bigotry and shambling officialdom, Where were you at Waterloo? is in places as sharp as Waugh and sometimes better' - Times Literary Supplement) was written at Harvard. His second, Tennis and the Masai ('The funniest book of the year - Daily Telegraph) was serialized on BBC Radio 4.
He has since written many other books, including Happy Valley: the Story of the English in Kenya, The Greatest Day in History, about the Armistice of 1918, and Five Days that shocked the World, about the end of the Second World War.
Best was the Financial Times's fiction critic for ten years. In 2010, he was long-listed for the Sunday Times-EFG Bank award of £30,000, the biggest short story prize in the world. He lives in Cambridge.
For more information, visit www.nicholasbest.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 18, 2024
When I visited Pearl Harbor, I was immediately struck by how small the harbor seemed. The boat that took us out to the remains of the ARIZONA got there in no time at all. There in a white, open-arched facade were names, some 1100 men who lost their lives when the great battleship (BB39)
went down. Once in awhile you can catch a glimpse of bubbles of oil which rise to the surface from the submerged ship. It is not something you easily forget nor should you.
There are many books about December 7, 1941; this is just one. It describes what happened in the last few days of peace, the raid itself, and the responses of the U.S. and other countries who were now in a war to the finish. It is about one of most tragic days in U.S. history. You may not learn a great deal new if you have read about that day, but you can't help but respect those who were there at the beginning, many of whom did not live to see the ending.
went down. Once in awhile you can catch a glimpse of bubbles of oil which rise to the surface from the submerged ship. It is not something you easily forget nor should you.
There are many books about December 7, 1941; this is just one. It describes what happened in the last few days of peace, the raid itself, and the responses of the U.S. and other countries who were now in a war to the finish. It is about one of most tragic days in U.S. history. You may not learn a great deal new if you have read about that day, but you can't help but respect those who were there at the beginning, many of whom did not live to see the ending.
October 27, 2025
I enjoyed how the author brought together accounts from both historical figures and everyday people, showing the wide ripple effect of decisions made during one of history’s darkest moments. The mix of voices—from political leaders to civilians—really highlights how interconnected the world was at that time.
However, I think the book missed the mark in its focus. It’s presented as a collection of accounts centered on Pearl Harbor, but much of it actually explores the global reaction to America entering World War II. While that perspective is interesting, it means that firsthand experiences from Hawaii and the Pacific are noticeably absent. I would’ve loved to see more from those who lived through the attack—local civilians, American soldiers stationed on the ships, or the pilots who scrambled in pursuit of the Japanese forces.
There were strong sections, particularly the accounts detailing the Japanese military’s planning and mindset leading up to the attack, which provided valuable context. But these moments were balanced unevenly by narratives from Hollywood figures or people in Europe whose connections to Pearl Harbor felt distant and less impactful.
If this book had been marketed as a global reaction to America’s entry into the war, I would have rated it higher. As it stands, it’s still an interesting and well-researched read—but not quite what I expected from a book promising firsthand accounts of Pearl Harbor
However, I think the book missed the mark in its focus. It’s presented as a collection of accounts centered on Pearl Harbor, but much of it actually explores the global reaction to America entering World War II. While that perspective is interesting, it means that firsthand experiences from Hawaii and the Pacific are noticeably absent. I would’ve loved to see more from those who lived through the attack—local civilians, American soldiers stationed on the ships, or the pilots who scrambled in pursuit of the Japanese forces.
There were strong sections, particularly the accounts detailing the Japanese military’s planning and mindset leading up to the attack, which provided valuable context. But these moments were balanced unevenly by narratives from Hollywood figures or people in Europe whose connections to Pearl Harbor felt distant and less impactful.
If this book had been marketed as a global reaction to America’s entry into the war, I would have rated it higher. As it stands, it’s still an interesting and well-researched read—but not quite what I expected from a book promising firsthand accounts of Pearl Harbor
September 22, 2024
All in all, this is a very readable book about a dark time in our nation’s history. Even though most readers know how everything turned out, Nicholas Best has a gift for retelling moments in history as if it were a plot from an exciting novel. In this regard, along with giving a detailed account of what was happening in various countries around the word, Best did a wonderful job of honing in on the famous, infamous, and obscure individuals of the time period. The book was definitely a quick and fun read!
January 12, 2025
The world before during and after Pearl Harbor
Outstanding description of world events preceding, during and after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
With a phenomenal amount of research the author is able to describe not just American and Japanese positions but also what was happening with Nazi's, the Russians, Italians, India, China and of course the British in the months preceding and just after December 7. The book is an eye opener and difficult to put down. Outstanding read. Perfect for visitors to Oahu and Pearl Harbor.
Outstanding description of world events preceding, during and after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
With a phenomenal amount of research the author is able to describe not just American and Japanese positions but also what was happening with Nazi's, the Russians, Italians, India, China and of course the British in the months preceding and just after December 7. The book is an eye opener and difficult to put down. Outstanding read. Perfect for visitors to Oahu and Pearl Harbor.
August 27, 2024
An excellent real time account...
This book meticulously sets the stage for the events that would lead to the Pearl Harbor bombing by the Japanese. Using historical and personal accounts, the author describes the event itself and chronicles the immediate reaction and response to the event in the next 48 hours or so. Then he looks in on the perpetrators and participants several years down the line. Overall, an excellent, well-researched history.
This book meticulously sets the stage for the events that would lead to the Pearl Harbor bombing by the Japanese. Using historical and personal accounts, the author describes the event itself and chronicles the immediate reaction and response to the event in the next 48 hours or so. Then he looks in on the perpetrators and participants several years down the line. Overall, an excellent, well-researched history.
October 19, 2024
Nicholas Best wrote an interesting, engaging report of the state of the world leading up to Pearl Harbor and immediately following. I loved the details of the response of well known people and governments. It felt like a personal account of the tragedy and what lead up to it. I’m not a WW2 scholar but I do read quite a bit and I highly recommended this book.
August 21, 2025
An excellent read
A well written, extremely well researched outline of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and the events surrounding it based on the memories and documents of a great many people. Well worth reading if you’re interested in the defining event of the 20th Century. Should be required reading for secondary school students around the world.
A well written, extremely well researched outline of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and the events surrounding it based on the memories and documents of a great many people. Well worth reading if you’re interested in the defining event of the 20th Century. Should be required reading for secondary school students around the world.
September 5, 2025
An entertaining quick read.
The first-person eyewitnesses accounts recorded herein make the book worth reading. In addition, details such as the political clout that got Jack Kennedy into the Navy after he failed the physical exam, and numerous other ones, from the lives of prostitutes in Hawaii to the experiences of little children, bring life to the narrative.
The first-person eyewitnesses accounts recorded herein make the book worth reading. In addition, details such as the political clout that got Jack Kennedy into the Navy after he failed the physical exam, and numerous other ones, from the lives of prostitutes in Hawaii to the experiences of little children, bring life to the narrative.
January 11, 2026
Such a great read! Very engaging as you look at the 7 days some before and after Pearl Harbor was attacked. I learned new information I didn’t know from previous accounts and it goes into more history of the islands surrounding Hawaii and all the Axis and Allie powers behind it all. This account wasn’t dry and had me reading it as fast as I could!
September 21, 2024
This is my second N. Best book.
I am loving the series. I hope there's many more. The biographical details of individual lives when the whole world goes to chaos all around are fascinating.
I am loving the series. I hope there's many more. The biographical details of individual lives when the whole world goes to chaos all around are fascinating.
October 18, 2024
In typical Nicholas Best style (which I really like), he takes a snapshot of a historical event and shares the lives of known individuals impacted by the events. It brings a different perspective of history. Thu is the third of his books that I have read and I look forward to more.
May 30, 2026
Great Read
A great read on the days leading up to US involvement in WWIi. The story through the eyes of political, social, sports and many other leaders and future leaders in their fields.
A great read on the days leading up to US involvement in WWIi. The story through the eyes of political, social, sports and many other leaders and future leaders in their fields.
September 20, 2024
An excellent read
This book for me lays to rest some the myths about pearl harbour perpetuated in the movie Tora Tora Tora, an excellent read.
This book for me lays to rest some the myths about pearl harbour perpetuated in the movie Tora Tora Tora, an excellent read.
November 6, 2024
Great read I learned a lot about pearl Harbour raid and what led up to it,
February 9, 2025
Very interesting and well researched.
September 16, 2025
excellent detail
A complete reporting of all the many actions taken by numerous leaders and participants in the unforgettable early days of WW2 in the Pacific.
A complete reporting of all the many actions taken by numerous leaders and participants in the unforgettable early days of WW2 in the Pacific.
November 24, 2025
very informative. a good read
September 17, 2026
Outstanding
A lot of interesting details brought out in this book that most people do not know about. Well worth the read!
A lot of interesting details brought out in this book that most people do not know about. Well worth the read!
August 11, 2024
One of the best accounts of Pearl Harbor
Despite reading or seeing various methods of recounting December 7 over the years, this one by Nicholas Best kept me engaged like a mystery novel. The insights from many people and backgrounds across the globe brought it alive.
Despite reading or seeing various methods of recounting December 7 over the years, this one by Nicholas Best kept me engaged like a mystery novel. The insights from many people and backgrounds across the globe brought it alive.
July 18, 2026
Look up Page Turner in the dictionary and you’ll find this book. Brilliantly pulls together all the threads leading up to one of the most pivotal events of the 20th century.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews