Wow!!! This was an absolutely riveting book in regards to Japan (circa 1941) and its military leaders who led Japan into a war that the vast majority of people knew they could not win. Japan made strategic maneuvers such as aligning themselves with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but all of that was in vain, as the West and the US allies were circling the wagons and it was a matter of time before Japan found itself in a doomed position.
The book goes into a great deal of detail in regards to the military leaders of the time and the conflicts that they found themselves in knowing they are facing an uphill battle. For instance, 90% of Japan’s oil products and petroleum were being provided by the United States and the West, so, Japan knew that its efforts were going to be futile and trying to mount a serious effort to win the war without massive casualties, which they found themselves on the end of anyway with the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima.
Hundreds of thousands of Japanese children were rounded up and shepherded out of the cities and out to the rural areas of Japan to protect them from the bombs that Japan knew were on their way. The leaders of the day in Japan, went out of their way to show smiling children in the countryside, who were underfed, malnourished and hungry, to reassure the Japanese citizens that all was going to be okay.
The author does a great job in detailing the attacks on Pearl Harbor, of course, and also the military blunders that Japan found itself making from time to time.
Even though the book is a little bit lengthy, it still has the ability to hold your attention throughout and to paint a picture for your imagination to be able to see clearly exactly what was going on.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
