In the days before the attack on Pearl Harbor; eyes in America were focused on the war in Europe or distracted by the elevated mood sweeping the country in the final days of the Great Depression. But when planes dropped out of a clear blue sky and bombed the American naval base and aerial targets in Hawaii; all of that changed. December 1941 takes readers into the moment-by-moment ordeal of a nation waking to war.Best-selling author Craig Shirley celebrates the American spirit while reconstructing the events that called it to shine with rare and piercing light. By turns nostalgic and critical; he puts readers on the ground in the stir and the thick of the action. Relying on daily news reports from around the country and recently declassified government papers; Shirley sheds light on the crucial diplomatic exchanges leading up to the attack; the policies on internment of Japanese living in the U.S. after the assault; and the near-total overhaul of the U.S. economy for war.Shirley paints a compelling portrait of pre-war American culture: the fashion; the celebrities; the pastimes. And his portrait of America at war is just as vivid: heroism; self-sacrifice; mass military enlistments; national unity and resolve; and the prodigious talents of Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley aimed at the Axis Powers; as well as the more troubling price-controls and rationing; federal economic takeover; and censorship. Featuring colorful personalities such as Franklin Roosevelt; Winston Churchill; U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull; and General Douglas MacArthur; December 1941 highlights a period of profound change in American government; foreign and domestic policy; law; economics; and business; chronicling the developments day by day through that singular and momentous month.December 1941 features surprising revelations; amusing anecdotes; and heart-wrenching stories; and also explores the unique religious and spiritual dimension of a culture under assault on the eve of Christmas. Before the attack on Pearl Harbor; the closest thing to war for the Americans was uncoordinated; mediocre war games in South Carolina. Less than thirty days later; by the end of December 1941; the nation was involved in a pitched battle for the preservation of its very way of life; a battle that would forever change the nation and the world.
#248965 in Books Penguin Press 2016-09-27 2016-09-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.53 x 1.25 x 6.40l; 1.62 #File Name: 159420540X416 pagesPenguin Press
Review
203 of 207 people found the following review helpful. A penetrating look at one of the great women of our timesBy Neal ReynoldsAs an 83 year old; I am part of a homophobic generation; and as such; I initially felt uncomfortable with this book's allegation of Eleanor Roosevelt's being a lesbian. However; I gained a better understanding of Eleanor Roosevelt; the woman and of her lover; reporter; Lorena Hickock.Through this book; I relived my early years; especially the WWII years. The book depicts the relationship between the two women with tenderness and understanding and this indeed impressed me. I found this to be a very easy and fast read; one that I've gained understanding from....not only understanding of the relationship; but also understanding of just what was going on through those years in which I was too young to have understanding of what was going on in the world.And so I recommend this book with only slight reservation. The author does wander a bit. However; that's not really bad. This is a good read for all those interested in the history of the Roosevelt years. I no longer feel disturbed by the author's allegations. I've gained a new pwerpective and I do strongly recommend this book.53 of 55 people found the following review helpful. Sands of TimeBy BeatleBangs1964In recent years; Eleanor Roosevelt's (1884 - 1962) bisexuality has been made public. For a number of years; she and her partner Lorena Hickock (1893 - 1968) developed a deep and close personal relationship. Both women had survived childhood abuse. Both chafed at the androcentric; chauvinistic world in which they lived. Both were drawn to each other.This is a very fast paced book and to the author's credit; no apologies are made for the fact that these two women loved one another. Another good thing about this book is that it shows how two women can successfully find love and it helps dispel homophobia; which sadly was the order of the day when these women met one another. The tone of acceptance can be found throughout the book and that is what makes it such a good read. It is well known that FDR had a mistress for many years. It is also well known that these two distant cousins who married did not have a marriage made in heaven. Their son Elliott Roosevelt chronicles this in his books about Eleanor and Franklin.Eleanor and Lorena wrote each other loving missives over the years which support the fact that they loved each other intimately. To author Susan Quinn's credit she presents this loving paring in a straightforward and matter of fact manner; much as Hick covered the news during her career as a news reporter.These women in some ways appear to be obverse sides of a coin. Eleanor was the classic "poor little rich girl" whose society mother was disinterested in her. The then future First Lady grew up in an emotionally bankrupt house and had feelings of inferiority because of her appearance. Hick was born into poverty and became motherless at age 14. She went to work at a very early age and earned her diploma. For many years she enjoyed success as a news reporter despite an unsuccessful stint in college. She and Eleanor met when she was covering Franklin Roosevelt's first campaign for the 1932 election. It was then that the women developed feelings for one another which segued into intimacy.The only real complaint I have is that as other U.S. reviewers have noted is the shifting timelines. As the sands of time shift appears to be the mantra of this book.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Admiration; Inspiration for Eleanor; a heroine of her timeBy SunnyI've always enjoyed presidential history; both men and the women who were behind the president. If you have read FDR or FDR and Eleanor; the Roosevelt years; you may already know a lot of the material covered in this book. However; this time the emphasis is on the incredible women; Eleanor and Hick; who as First Lady and a news journalist; really shaped a lot of policy changes and made women see different choices were possible.It is well researched; but does not verify the extent of their relationship. It made no difference to me; I didn't need to know any extent of any physical intimacy for the period of time they were in each other's lives before events separated them. The bond of intimacy was very much one of supportive women; social causes; probably more intellectual than deeply physical. People used to be journal and letter writers. Eleanor needed people; Hicks seemed to need Eleanor more than anything besides her career. They were both misfits in their world with a great deal of emotional baggage from childhood of being unloved and not the social debutante. Eleanor came from a wealthy class; Hicks did not. Eleanor had difficulty feeling worthy and giving love (not that she didn't love) but FDR's polio and the strong influence of her mother-in-law; his need for the spotlight and mistress; often pushed Eleanor aside; except for being a worthy political helpmate. There is no doubt that polio and a political career deeply affected their marriage.
