Perhaps no single incident in American history has been written about more than the events of December 7, 1941 when the aircraft of the Japanese navy attacked the United States base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii prompting the U.S. entry into World War II. We have selected our favorite books both new and old covering that attack from various perspectives.

1. The USS Arizona : The Ship, the Men, and the Pearl Harbor Attack

Newly released history of the construction, staffing, shipboard life and destruction of the USS Arizona, written by journalist Joy Waldron Jasper, historian James Delgado and shipwreck preservationist Jim Adams.Buy from Amazon »

2. Pearl Harbor

H. P. Willmott's comprehensive, very readable, and brilliantly analytical account of the Japanese attack and the historical milieu that led to the attack tracing the roots of Japanese aggressiveness and hostility to the West. Superbly done with lots of rare photos.Buy from Amazon »

3. Pearl Harbor Ghosts: The Legacy of December 7, 1941

This vivid recreation of the events of "the day which will live in infamy" is based on personal testimony and includes many photographs. Author Thurston Clarke evokes the feel and mood of Hawaii then and now.Buy from Amazon »

4. At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor

Often considered the definitive book about the attack on Pearl Harbor written by Gordon W. Prange. This 753 page book is divided into three sections, "Prelude," "Action" and "Aftermath."Buy from Amazon »

5. Day of Infamy

Walter Lord's vivid, compelling description of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stands alone among World War II books. Written by the author of "A Night to Remember."Buy from Amazon »

6. Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day

This lavishly illustrated book tells the story of Pearl Harbor through a robust and dramatic narrative, newly designed maps and illustrations, hundreds of archival photographs, and scores of historical artifacts. In a jarringly candid foreword, Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii recounts his personal experiences during the attack and the effect they had on him from that day forward.Buy from Amazon »

7. Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy - An Illustrated History

Author Dan van der Vat's handsome and informative volume contains over 200 photos, many never seen before. A moving introduction is written by Senator John McCain of Arizona.More »

8. Descent into Darkness: Pearl Harbor, 1941: A Navy Diver's Memoir

Author Edward C. Raymer's World War II book explores the "literally dark side" of Pearl Harbor and the Pacific war - the salvage efforts on sunken and damaged ships.Buy from Amazon »

9. Trapped at Pearl Harbor: Escape from Battleship Oklahoma

Author Stephen Bower Young's story of being aboard the Oklahoma when it was torpedoed at Pearl Harbor, capsized, and sank, killing hundreds of sailors and trapping him in a gun turret for twenty-five hours, where he struggled to survive.Buy from Amazon »

10. Remembering Pearl Harbor

Eyewitness accounts from soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses, chaplains, and wives who were at Pearl Harbor. All describe their experiences at the scene on December 7, 1941.Buy from Amazon »