What do you think?
Rate this book
The Warriors
God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor
God's Samurai is the unusual story of Mitsuo Fuchida, the career aviator who led the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in most of the fiercest battles of the Pacific war. A valuable record of major events, it is also the personal story of a man swept along by his times. Reared in the vanished culture of early twentieth-century Japan, war hero Fuchida returned home to become a simple farmer. After a scandalous love affair came his remarkable conversion to Christianity and years of touring the world as an evangelist. His tale is an informative, personal look at the war "from the other side."
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
26 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Gordon W. Prange
22 books45 followersA graduate of the University of Iowa, from where he received his Ph.D. in 1937, Gordon Prange began his teaching career as a professor of history at the University of Maryland. In 1942, he was granted a leave of absence from the University to embark on a wartime career as an officer in the United States Navy. Sent to Japan in 1945 as a member of the American Occupation Forces, after completing his Navy service he continued in Japan as a civilian from 1946 to 1951 as chief of General Douglas MacArthur's 100-person historical staff. When censorship of the Japanese media by Allied Forces was lifted in 1949 and the Civil Censorship Detachment disestablished, Professor Prange, recognizing the historical significance of the CCD material, arranged for its shipment to the University of Maryland. The materials arrived at the University in 1950. On September 15, 1978, the Board of Regents of the University of Maryland passed a motion to name the collection the 'Gordon W. Prange Collection: The Allied Presence in Japan, 1945-1952.' Professor Prange continued to teach at the University of Maryland until several months before his death on May 15, 1980. He is still remembered by alumni as one of the University's truly great teachers, and is well known today for major works on the war in the Pacific, particularly Tora! Tora! Tora!" The Terrapin, the University of Maryland's yearbook, said of his World War I and World War II history lectures in 1964: "Students flock to his class and sit enraptured as he animates the pages of twentieth century European history through his goosesteps, 'Seig Heils', 'Achtungs', machine gun retorts and frantic gestures.
Dr. Prange's manuscript about the attack on Pearl Harbor is credited as the basis for the screenplay Tora! Tora! Tora!, filmed in 1970 while Prange took a leave of absence from the University of Maryland to serve as technical consultant during its filming. His extensive research into the attack on Pearl Harbor was the subject of a PBS television program in 2000, "Prange and Pearl Harbor: A Magnificent Obsession", and was acclaimed "a definitive book on the event" by The Washington Post.
Dr. Prange's manuscript about the attack on Pearl Harbor is credited as the basis for the screenplay Tora! Tora! Tora!, filmed in 1970 while Prange took a leave of absence from the University of Maryland to serve as technical consultant during its filming. His extensive research into the attack on Pearl Harbor was the subject of a PBS television program in 2000, "Prange and Pearl Harbor: A Magnificent Obsession", and was acclaimed "a definitive book on the event" by The Washington Post.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 5, 2025
If the book had been just about his WW2 service it’d be a bit higher. I found myself completely disinterested in his “saved by Grace” arc.
May 21, 2020
A priceless book about a remarkable man.
January 23, 2018
Pro's:
Of all the WWII books I've read, this was the most fascinating. It was intriguing to read about the war from the perspective of the Japanese, particularly from the individual who led the attack on Pearl Harbor. What struck me most was despite the strength of Japan's military, they were tremendously hampered by bureaucracy. According to Fuchida, they were not opportunistic, and that was their downfall.
It was interesting reading about Fuchida's various roles throughout the war, many of which brought him close to death. As an unbeliever, Fuchida himself was amazed at his "luck," but later recognized the Lord's hand of protection over him. I loved seeing how the Lord brought a hardened Shinto soldier to saving faith in Christ.
Con's:
Fuchida is a human, and like the rest of us, is imperfect. During a particularly low period of his life, he frequently entertained a mistress and even had a child by her. However, after becoming saved, he put her away and repented to the Lord and to his wife.
There were several curse words included in quotes from some of the various individuals Fuchida interacted with (the a word, d word, and h word were used).
At first, I was caught off guard by the style of the book. It almost felt like it was written by someone who didn't speak English as their first language. But it was very minor, and I quickly got accustomed to the author's particular writing style.
Summary:
Overall, I enjoyed the book greatly, but would recommend it to older audiences.
Of all the WWII books I've read, this was the most fascinating. It was intriguing to read about the war from the perspective of the Japanese, particularly from the individual who led the attack on Pearl Harbor. What struck me most was despite the strength of Japan's military, they were tremendously hampered by bureaucracy. According to Fuchida, they were not opportunistic, and that was their downfall.
It was interesting reading about Fuchida's various roles throughout the war, many of which brought him close to death. As an unbeliever, Fuchida himself was amazed at his "luck," but later recognized the Lord's hand of protection over him. I loved seeing how the Lord brought a hardened Shinto soldier to saving faith in Christ.
Con's:
Fuchida is a human, and like the rest of us, is imperfect. During a particularly low period of his life, he frequently entertained a mistress and even had a child by her. However, after becoming saved, he put her away and repented to the Lord and to his wife.
There were several curse words included in quotes from some of the various individuals Fuchida interacted with (the a word, d word, and h word were used).
At first, I was caught off guard by the style of the book. It almost felt like it was written by someone who didn't speak English as their first language. But it was very minor, and I quickly got accustomed to the author's particular writing style.
Summary:
Overall, I enjoyed the book greatly, but would recommend it to older audiences.
September 8, 2022
I waffled on the number of stars to give this, because historically, I enjoyed the Japanese perspective of WWII, which we rarely get in the U.S. unless we actively seek it out, and not at all in school, unless it's to tell us how Japan was evil and attacked us and tortured POWs. So from a history standpoint, I learned a lot and enjoyed a different point of view...four stars.
But from a writing standpoint, I've definitely read better. It felt a little academic and stiff, like we were given the facts, but it felt like there were a lot of holes. Fuchida's whole affair with Kimi was unsatisfactorily explained, and very little seems to be known about his faithful wife. I believe it could have been filled in a little more and made a little more personal, but I think it's safe to say that no liberties where taken with this story. Because of the disjointedness of the writing, jumping around, and the ending feeling rushed, it's getting three stars.
Still an interesting story, definitely worth reading if you're interested in WWII, Japan, or this Navel pilot and contemporary of Louis Zamperini (from whom we get an entirely different side of the Japanese Army).
But from a writing standpoint, I've definitely read better. It felt a little academic and stiff, like we were given the facts, but it felt like there were a lot of holes. Fuchida's whole affair with Kimi was unsatisfactorily explained, and very little seems to be known about his faithful wife. I believe it could have been filled in a little more and made a little more personal, but I think it's safe to say that no liberties where taken with this story. Because of the disjointedness of the writing, jumping around, and the ending feeling rushed, it's getting three stars.
Still an interesting story, definitely worth reading if you're interested in WWII, Japan, or this Navel pilot and contemporary of Louis Zamperini (from whom we get an entirely different side of the Japanese Army).
April 8, 2019
Fascinating insight into the "enemy" persepctive of WWII. Given Mitsuo's later conversion to Christianity and his time spent in the U.S., the "story" of the Pacific War feels not at all as if told by a monster or enemy. Instead, given his pragmatic approach to the war and his place in it, it instead simply feels as insightful and colorful as if told from "our" persepctive.
The last third, focusing on his evngelical life, is interesting as much for the experiences and the snapshot of mid-century life as it is a "preaching" of his path.
All in all, a fantastic read.
The last third, focusing on his evngelical life, is interesting as much for the experiences and the snapshot of mid-century life as it is a "preaching" of his path.
All in all, a fantastic read.
August 4, 2025
The life of the leader of the attack on Pearl Harbor, converted to Christianity, turned international evangelist. Does this sound like a riveting story? It did to me, and truthfully Fuchida's life was interesting; the author of this book just found the most sleep-inducing method of telling that story. I'm sure there have been other tellings of this man's life that won't make you take a nap.
January 20, 2023
An excellent biography on the life os Mitsuo Fuchida. Seeing the story of Pearl Harbor through his eyes to the moment he accepted Christ. The details of the many campaigns he went on proclaiming the Gospel of Christ are incredible considering the background he came from.
September 22, 2018
Good stuff. A great deal more military detail than I expected, but then I was not familiar with Prange. I really enjoyed this.
July 24, 2022
The life story of Mitsuo Fuchida from childhood through his 60’s. He planned and carried out the attack on Pearl Harbor, fought and/or led many naval air battles in WWII, and escaped death several times, like when he left Hiroshima the afternoon before the atomic bomb was dropped there. These escapes from death led him on a spiritual journey where he finds God. He then becomes an evangelist for Christ in Japan, the US, and Internationally. This biography tells an incredible life story. It also reveals the planning process and carrying out of several WWII naval battles, and the struggles to find a path to peace in the Japanese power structure at the time. Fuchida’s walk through Hiroshima days after the bomb was dropped, his other wartime experiences, and the message from the Emperor to find lasting peace, leads Fuchida to seek out the means to achieve that. His desire to prove Americans should also be put on trial for war crimes for their assumed mistreatment of prisoners opens the door for him to find the lobe of Christ and eventually convert. He throws himself into being a soldier for Christ and his wartime experience opens many doors for the message to be given. Ot doesn’t shy away from the sacrifices that he and his family made for this life.
On a personal note, I was surprised when, in one of the later chapters, I read that Fuchida , in the early 1960’s, connects with a couple of missionaries that I know personally.
The book essentially two stories, one in each half of the book. The story of the decisions made by Japan in the Pacific War from the viewpoint of a high ranking Japanese naval officer, and the story of a Japanese war hero finding and dedicating his life to God, initiated by the call of his then divine leader to find a way to have lasting peace.
On a personal note, I was surprised when, in one of the later chapters, I read that Fuchida , in the early 1960’s, connects with a couple of missionaries that I know personally.
The book essentially two stories, one in each half of the book. The story of the decisions made by Japan in the Pacific War from the viewpoint of a high ranking Japanese naval officer, and the story of a Japanese war hero finding and dedicating his life to God, initiated by the call of his then divine leader to find a way to have lasting peace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2017
This was a surprisingly interesting read. I have previously read "At Dawn We Slept" by Gordon Prange and I found it tedious to get through that book.
A little more than half of this book deals with Mutsuo Fuchida's military experiences during World War II and the rest deals with his life experiencing Christianity. Many of Mr. Fuchida's claims about the war seemed naïve or uninformed. At one point he said Japan should have invaded the Hawaiian Islands from early on in the war. From what I've read, logistically it was essentially impossible to have done so. The Japanese Army would not have wanted to part with the necessary troops for such an invasion and Hawaii was at least 1,500 miles from the nearest Japanese base. Such a campaign would not be over quickly and any air support would have had to have been provided by their aircraft carriers. From a logistical standpoint (food, extra ammunition, medical supplies) it would have been a nightmare and I believe it would have ended in disaster. There were other such claims like this throughout the book. Some of his claims had merit such as Japan should have sought out the American carriers much earlier prior to the battle of Midway.
Mutsuo Fuchida definitely had an interesting life full of personal struggles and achievements and I enjoyed the book. The writing style was a bit too casual for me at times. There are also a few minor misspellings and factual errors but not enough to discredit the book.
A little more than half of this book deals with Mutsuo Fuchida's military experiences during World War II and the rest deals with his life experiencing Christianity. Many of Mr. Fuchida's claims about the war seemed naïve or uninformed. At one point he said Japan should have invaded the Hawaiian Islands from early on in the war. From what I've read, logistically it was essentially impossible to have done so. The Japanese Army would not have wanted to part with the necessary troops for such an invasion and Hawaii was at least 1,500 miles from the nearest Japanese base. Such a campaign would not be over quickly and any air support would have had to have been provided by their aircraft carriers. From a logistical standpoint (food, extra ammunition, medical supplies) it would have been a nightmare and I believe it would have ended in disaster. There were other such claims like this throughout the book. Some of his claims had merit such as Japan should have sought out the American carriers much earlier prior to the battle of Midway.
Mutsuo Fuchida definitely had an interesting life full of personal struggles and achievements and I enjoyed the book. The writing style was a bit too casual for me at times. There are also a few minor misspellings and factual errors but not enough to discredit the book.
January 22, 2021
Utterly fascinating to read about WW2 from the perspective of a prominent Japanese aviator. The number of miraculous times he avoided death is astonishing. And his conversion to Christianity following the war and the simple faith he lived is admirable.
"At Fuchida's first reading, it was the New Testament's moral message that attracted him most. The miracles he found difficult to understand. In later years, Fuchida became convinced that miracles were the bedrock of Christianity, the touchstone for faith. He found that many people attracted by the Bible's philosophy were suspicious of the unscientific events it relates. This sidetracked their religious life, he felt. Important as the moral aspect of Christianity was, what set it apart was the incarnation, resurrection, and redemption. Those who persevered in reading and meditating on the Bible, as he did, would come to recognize that what at first repelled them was its core."
"At Fuchida's first reading, it was the New Testament's moral message that attracted him most. The miracles he found difficult to understand. In later years, Fuchida became convinced that miracles were the bedrock of Christianity, the touchstone for faith. He found that many people attracted by the Bible's philosophy were suspicious of the unscientific events it relates. This sidetracked their religious life, he felt. Important as the moral aspect of Christianity was, what set it apart was the incarnation, resurrection, and redemption. Those who persevered in reading and meditating on the Bible, as he did, would come to recognize that what at first repelled them was its core."
May 29, 2025
The story of Mitsuo Fuchida, the lead pilot in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Fuchida was the pilot that exclaimed the code words "Tora! Tora! Tora!" to signify that the Japanese had caught the American fleet completely by surprise. After the war, Fuchida came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior through the testimony of William Deshazzer. He then became a Christian evangelist and preached Christ in Japan and America!
January 23, 2024
outstanding
A detailed look at the life of Capt Fuchida warts and all. About half of the book relates to his life as an evangelist and spreading Christ throughout the world. Even a story of his work in Helsinki with communist students. This is a heartwarming story and well worth reading. I highly recommend it.
A detailed look at the life of Capt Fuchida warts and all. About half of the book relates to his life as an evangelist and spreading Christ throughout the world. Even a story of his work in Helsinki with communist students. This is a heartwarming story and well worth reading. I highly recommend it.
December 29, 2021
From leading the Pearl Harbor raid to becoming a Christian to preaching in the United States. This man lives up to Dan Carlins’ quote, “The Japanese are just like everyone else, only more so.” Fascinating man and fascinating read.
December 1, 2023
Love this book as both a portrait of WW2 from a Japanese pilots perspective (he literally uttered “Tora! Tora! Tora!” at Pearl Harbor) to his post-war redemptive story that can only be attributed to the power of God.
April 24, 2021
For Information it's outstanding. Readability, well, choppy, slow, vocabulary? Probably from the translations. But still a Good Read
January 11, 2024
A slow read but interesting to hear the story of war in the Pacific from Japanese view point.
February 22, 2024
Incredible story. Can’t believe this man survived the war, and his journey to Christ is beautiful. Also interesting to see the Japanese side of the war!
October 20, 2015
I found the writing style a bit obnoxious at times (too hagiographic) so I couldn't give it five stars...but the story is profound and well worth the read. Even if you're not interested in his conversion to Christianity the story will still intrigue you. The perspective of WWII from the Japanese military view is super interesting and his experiences post-war are engaging as well. Great story of an intriguing man.
July 12, 2008
Fuchida's life experiences where amazing. A novel based on his life would be ridiculed as far fetched.
January 24, 2016
Biography about Mitsuo Fuchida one of the Japanese commanders at Pearl Harbor. After WWII he became a Christian and an evangelist.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews