Editorial Content for Taking Midway: Naval Warfare, Secret Codes, and the Battle that Turned the Tide of World War II
Book
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Martin Dugard, who writes the Killing series with Bill O’Reilly, applies lessons learned from that collaboration to create a lively account of the battle that reshaped the trajectory of World War II. Believing that there is a misperception about the significance of the event, he states his intention in writing about it: "This book might change that. Hope so."
"Dugard presents his own refreshingly accessible recounting of one of World War II’s most consequential battles."
TAKING MIDWAY begins right before Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and sets the stage for the global conflict that unfolds thereafter. By 1942, the Allies are struggling against mounting defeats across multiple theaters, especially in the Pacific, where Japanese forces secure decisive victories. First there is Hawaii, and then Singapore falls, followed by the Philippines, while the United States and the British Navy lose ships and aircraft.
In the midst of these defeats, Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort --- a Japanese-speaking cryptanalyst in charge of Station HYPO in Honolulu --- learns that the Japanese are planning yet another major invasion somewhere in the Pacific. Finding out where they might strike next is critical. Rochefort convinces Admiral Chester Nimitz to send a false message about a disabled water plant on the island, which the Japanese intercept. In their communications with each other, they also reveal that Midway will be their next target. Rochefort not only must find the precise location, he also has to predict the date.
So begins an intense contest of intelligence, strategy and deception, culminating in the historic confrontation known as the Battle of Midway. Director John Ford was at Midway because the US Navy assigned him to record the battle for the historical record and for Navy intelligence, but the attack comes more quickly than anticipated. Ford and his team were prepared, and their documentary --- released later that year --- is recognized as one of the most notable war films of the era.
With an acknowledgement of that accomplishment, Dugard presents his own refreshingly accessible recounting of one of World War II’s most consequential battles.
Teaser
1942. Everywhere around the world, the Allies are losing the war. Nowhere is this felt more completely than in the Pacific, where Japanese sea and ground forces claim victory after victory. Meanwhile, in Honolulu, a brilliant young naval officer is determined to break Japan's top secret codes. Lt. Commander Joseph Rochefort is inches away from cracking the code by April but is startled to learn that the Japanese are planning yet another major invasion somewhere in the Pacific. What ensues is the cat-and-mouse adventure that will become the epic fight known as the Battle of Midway. The dramatic battle will involve strategy, luck, heartbreak --- and will change the course of World War II.
Promo
1942. Everywhere around the world, the Allies are losing the war. Nowhere is this felt more completely than in the Pacific, where Japanese sea and ground forces claim victory after victory. Meanwhile, in Honolulu, a brilliant young naval officer is determined to break Japan's top secret codes. Lt. Commander Joseph Rochefort is inches away from cracking the code by April but is startled to learn that the Japanese are planning yet another major invasion somewhere in the Pacific. What ensues is the cat-and-mouse adventure that will become the epic fight known as the Battle of Midway. The dramatic battle will involve strategy, luck, heartbreak --- and will change the course of World War II.
About the Book
From Martin Dugard, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Bill O'Reilly's Killing series --- with more than 12 million copies sold --- comes a fast-paced, dramatic account of the famous yet little understood battle that turned the tide of World War II.
1942. Everywhere around the world, the Allies are losing the war. Nowhere is this felt more completely than in the Pacific, where Japanese sea and ground forces claim victory after victory. Singapore falls. Then the Philippines. The vaunted American Navy fights to a draw with the Japanese at the Battle of Coral Sea. America's lone moral victory is Colonel Jimmy Doolittle's bombing raid on Tokyo --- though even that is tinged with tragedy as two crew members are shot down and beheaded.
Meanwhile in Honolulu, a brilliant young naval officer is determined to break Japan's top secret codes. Lt. Commander Joseph Rochefort is inches away from cracking the code by April. He is then startled to learn that the Japanese are planning yet another major invasion somewhere in the Pacific. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is planning to send four aircraft carriers to complete this task, in a bold attack that will be even larger than the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Rochefort's methods are unique and those in power in the US Navy find his data flawed. Simply, many don't believe him. The best mind in the US Navy believes the next big attack will come at New Guinea or Australia.
To prove himself, Rochefort must not only find the precise location but predict the date. What ensues is the cat-and-mouse adventure that will become the epic fight known as the Battle of Midway. Japan's Yamamoto will go toe-to-toe with American admirals Chester Nimitz, Jack Fletcher and Raymond Spruance. The dramatic battle will involve strategy, luck, heartbreak --- and will also change the course of World War II.
Audiobook available, read by Samuel Roukin
