Brain Vonderhaar

“Nagumo was suddenly on his own. At this crucial time, the cost of his failure to learn the complicated factors that played into carrier operations suddenly exploded. Now, when every minute counted, it was too late to learn the complexities involved in loading different munitions on different types of planes on the hangar deck, too late to learn how the planes were organized and spotted on the flight decks, too late to learn the flight capabilities of his different types of planes, and far too late to know how to integrate all those factors into a fast-moving and efficient operation with the planes and ordnance available at that moment. Commander Genda, his brilliant operations officer, couldn’t make the decisions for him now. It was all up to Nagumo. At 0730 on June 4, 1942, years of shipbuilding, training, and strategic planning had all come to this moment. Teams of highly trained pilots, flight deck personnel, mechanics, and hundreds of other sailors were ready and awaiting his command. The entire course of the battle, of the Combined Fleet, and even perhaps of Japan were going to bear the results of his decisions, then and there.”
― Dale A. Jenkins, Diplomats & Admirals: From Failed Negotiations and Tragic Misjudgments to Powerful Leaders and Heroic Deeds, the Untold Story of the Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to Midway

“Peter muttered, shaking his head in dismay. "Megan is some piece of work. I was a little worried that guy she supplied to Anya would try to throw-down. He was one of those bodybuilder types that stand in front of the mirror all day admiring themselves." Christy replied, "I know the type. They can't believe all people aren't equally in love with their muscles. Most of them can't even finish a sentence, or put down their muscle magazines.”
― Dennis K. Hausker, Anya

“Yours

(now I'm even losing my name - it was getting shorter and shorter all the time and is now: Yours)”
― Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena

“Do you know my friend that each one of us is a dark mystery, a maze of conflicting passions and desire and aptitudes?”
― Agatha Christie, Lord Edgware Dies