To Wake the Giant

A Novel of Pearl Harbor

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 19 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling master of military historical fiction tells the story of Pearl Harbor as only he can in the first novel of a gripping new series set in World War II's Pacific theater.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt watches uneasily as the world heads rapidly down a dangerous path. The Japanese have waged an aggressive campaign against China, and they now begin to expand their ambitions to other parts of Asia. As their expansion efforts grow bolder, their enemies know that Japan's ultimate goal is total conquest over the region, especially when the Japanese align themselves with Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy, who wage their own war of conquest across Europe.

Meanwhile, the British stand nearly alone against Hitler, and there is pressure in Washington to transfer America’s powerful fleet of warships from Hawaii to the Atlantic to join the fight against German U-boats that are devastating shipping. But despite deep concerns about weakening the Pacific fleet, no one believes that the main base at Pearl Harbor is under any real threat.

Told through the eyes of widely diverse characters, this story looks at all sides of the drama and puts the listener squarely in the middle. In Washington, Secretary of State Cordell Hull must balance his own concerns between President Roosevelt and the Japanese ambassador, Kichisaburo Nomura, who is little more than a puppet of his own government. In Japan, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto wins skeptical approval for his outrageous plans in the Pacific, yet he understands more than anyone that an attack on Pearl Harbor will start a war that Japan cannot win. In Hawaii, Commander Joseph Rochefort's job as an accomplished intelligence officer is to decode radio signals and detect the location of the Japanese fleet, but when the airwaves suddenly go silent, no one has any idea why. And from a small Depression-ravaged town, 19-year-old Tommy Biggs sees the Navy as his chance to escape and happily accepts his assignment, every sailor’s dream: the battleship USS Arizona.

With you-are-there immediacy, Shaara opens up the mysteries of just how Japan - a small, deeply militarist nation - could launch one of history’s most devastating surprise attacks. In this story of innocence, heroism, sacrifice, and unfathomable blindness, Shaara's gift for storytelling uses these familiar wartime themes to shine a light on the personal, the painful, the tragic, and the thrilling - and on a crucial part of history we must never forget.

©2020 Jeff Shaara (P)2020 Random House Audio

Excellent very different take on the Pearl Harbor story

I certainly heard and read the Pearl Harbor story many times but this is a very different take on telling the story through the eyes of a rural young man looking to escape a small town and join the Navy prior to 1941. It was extremely well done and I enjoyed every minute

Trust me this is worth every penny and second you invest.

One of the best books I have both read and enjoyed as a audio production. I can find no fault with either. I have enjoyed every book by the author that I have found time for and will manage to include all his others into my library. The narrator is far beyond excellent. In all a triumph of production for all who took part in whatever way they could. Congratulations to all of you and could you chose another book and collaborate once again? Please do. I shall be waiting.

just review

we've seen and heard it so many times that it sounds familiar before even starting. but it was really nice to have the characters have dialog that made them seem much more than just a statistic.

Excellent

Mr Sahara, again I have enjoyed your books and the clarity you gave for the next generations to understand Pearl Harbor. I have stood on the Arizona Memorial but you brought it to life with Biggs. thank you. Amy Meighan

Great book!

Of the hundreds of audiobooks I've listened to this has to be one of the 5 or so best.

Wonderful!

This is a novel based upon real historical characters and real events! A MUST READ!

Graphic novel of Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7,1941!

Loved it, if weeping is politically correct here. Narrator was great. Was glued to my Bluetooth headset!
So thankful that my Army father (a doctor in Burma 1943) & Navy son did not have to suffer as so many did in their service.
When a small child, I saw & heard a 5 star US Army General admit that he believed that FDR knew about, and allowed the attack to motivate the predominantly isolationist America to chose war. I believe that is true, but not interested in arguing what we will never know with the many morons that have spoken up since. I do know, however, that America is in the same position now with Communist China, and will probably not learn from the past, but repeat mistakes of arrogance, denial, and dysfunctional leadership to suffer worse in the future.
I've enjoyed Jeff Sharra books on much of US History in novel form, and plan to own ALL HIS BOOKS.
Thanks to all of You from this dinosaur.

Shaara does it again.

Shaara’s ability to assemble a gripping recount of people and action is front and center here. Bramhall’s performance is fitting and moves you through the story with emotion and passion.

Awesome Book

As a student of American Military History little new information was presented, but Jeff's story was so compelling I could hardly but it down. just like his father's Gettysburg so well done it takes my breath away.

BobP

Extremely well written book. Audio version very well narrated. Highly recommend this to history buffs and anyone who enjoys a good read.