IRB Media Summary of James M. Scott's Target Tokyo

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Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 President Franklin Roosevelt was enjoying a late lunch in his White House study on December 7, 1941. The situation in the Pacific had become stressful, and he decided to pass on a luncheon hosted by his wife, Eleanor, for 31 people. Instead, he chose to dine in his study with his longtime friend and aide Harry Hopkins.#2 Roosevelt had long struggled to prepare the American public and lawmakers for war, many of whom argued that the vast Atlantic and Pacific Oceans served as natural barriers against foreign aggressors. He focused much of his attention on Europe, where Adolf Hitler's Germany had invaded Poland in September 1939.#3 The president knew that Japan was a formidable foe, even though the four-year war with China had been costly. Japan had stockpiled raw materials, from iron ore and rubber to a two-year supply of oil. The Japanese Navy outgunned American forces in the Pacific Ocean.#4 The attack on Pearl Harbor was confirmed by the four-star admiral Harold Stark. It had caused severe loss of life and damage to the Pacific Fleet. The exact details would emerge only in the days and weeks ahead, but the raid had destroyed or damaged eighteen ships, including eight battlewagons, three cruisers, and several destroyers.