'Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway' by Jonathan Parshall provides a detailed and critical analysis of the Battle of Midway from the Japanese perspective. The authors delve into the flaws of the Japanese military doctrine and attitude that led to their defeat, while also dispelling myths surrounding the battle. Through hard data, eyewitness accounts, and previously unexplored Japanese sources, the book offers a fresh and informative look into Japan's war efforts and the events leading up to Operation MI.

The writing style of 'Shattered Sword' is described as engaging and informative, with a focus on providing accurate timelines, logical conclusions, and dispelling populist myths about the Battle of Midway. The authors present a critical examination of Japan's military strategies and operations, shedding light on the errors in doctrine and attitude that contributed to their downfall. Through meticulous research and detailed analysis, the book offers readers a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to and during the pivotal battle.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clear and engaging, enriched with newly accessible historical data, although it includes some American colloquialisms.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a minute-by-minute account of the battle from the Japanese perspective, highlighting crucial events, breakdowns in command, and the impact of American assaults.

Setting:

The setting is centered around the Battle of Midway in June 1942, specifically on Japanese aircraft carriers.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow but becomes engaging after the first few chapters, with a focus on detailed account.

Genres:

Topics:

battle of midway

naval warfare

japanese military tactics

u.s. military strategy

operational failures

historical revisionism

intelligence and reconnaissance

underdog victory

Notes:

Shattered Sword presents a minute-by-minute account of the Battle of Midway from the Japanese perspective.

The book reveals that the Japanese lacked the ability to effectively respond to American air assaults, which greatly impacted their military operations.

The authors emphasize that the Japanese military failed to learn vital lessons from earlier battles, such as the Battle of Coral Sea.

There was significant internal conflict within the Japanese military command, which contributed to their defeat at Midway.

Many previous accounts of the battle are challenged by Shattered Sword, which offers new data sourced from Japanese material.

The Japanese carrier operations were sophisticated and innovative, featuring advanced systems for landing aircraft.

The authors present the narrative in a captivating prose style that maintains reader interest throughout the book.

The book suggests that the Americans had a solid plan and took deliberate actions to achieve victory, contrary to the view of a last-minute effort.

Fuchida, a prominent Japanese figure, is accused of distorting the truth about Japan's defeat after the war, as he faced pressure to conform to a post-war narrative.

The final chapters effectively dissect the myths surrounding the Battle of Midway, illustrating why the Japanese lost.

The book argues that Japan's defeat at Midway was not merely due to bad luck but was rooted in deep-seated errors in military doctrine and decision-making.

There is a notable emphasis on how the Japanese underestimated their enemy and failed to adapt their tactics as the war progressed.

From The Publisher:

Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange s bestselling "Miracle at Midway," Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this great naval engagement.

Unlike previous accounts, "Shattered Sword" makes extensive use of Japanese primary sources. It also corrects the many errors of Mitsuo Fuchida s "Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan," an uncritical reliance upon which has tainted every previous Western account.

It thus forces a major, potentially controversial reevaluation of the great battle. The authors examine the battle in detail and effortlessly place it within the context of the Imperial Navy s doctrine and technology.

With a foreword by leading WWII naval historian John Lundstrom, "Shattered Sword" will become an indispensable part of any military buff s library. Winner of the 2005 John Lyman Book Award for the "Best Book in U.S. Naval History" and cited by "Proceedings" as one of its "Notable Naval Books" for 2005."

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Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway

Jonathan Parshall