Pacific War Research Society

1705 Japan's Longest Day, Compiled by The Pacific War Research Society (read 11 Apr 1982) This is a most amazing book. It was published in 1968. The Society which compiled it is a group of 14 persons who as of 1968 had spent eight years researching the "Pacific War." This book tells of the time from noon Aug. 14, 1945, to noon Aug 15, 1945--the latter being the time when Emperor Hirohito began reading the Rescript accepting the Potsdam Declaration's demand for surrender. It is a vivid account and told by Japanese conveys a different flavor than would have been the case if told by an American. There was an effort by lower-ranking Japanese officers to prevent the surrender, and this effort combined with the War Minister's ending of his own life makes the hour-by-hour account of that 24-hours highly dramatic. This is one of the most intensely interesting books I've read on the War--I should read more from the Japanese side. It is such a different way of thinking. A fantastic book, gripping in a way novel to me. {Bix's book on Hirohito, which I read Mar 21, 2001, downplays the effort by the lower-ranking officers, and says it did not amount to much!]… (more)