Book Reviews

(Here is a photo of Dr. Lauchlin Currie with Madame Chiang. Currie had a Ph.D in economics from Harvard and was largely in charge of economic aid to China. As an aide to President Roosevelt, Currie was responsible, to a great extent, for funding and supplying the AVG. Currie discovered the availability of the Lockheed Hudsons and Douglas DB-7 Bostons/Havocs that were going to be delivered to Chennault at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.)

***

An absolutely astounding revelation that is sure to re-write pre-WW II history. Alan Armstrong's research has uncovered very credible documentation of U.S. clandestine ops that clearly shows we were going to pull the trigger before Japan. Destined to be a blockbuster, it is a must read for all WW II historians and buffs. A tremendous piece of work. - Roger Post, Editor, Flight Journal

***

A highly readable tale of adventure, intrigue, and politics that reveals for the first time the true facts of the creation of the famous "Flying Tigers," the colorful and effective P-40 squadron that flew from primitive bases in China and gave the Japanese fits in the early months of WWII. Painstakingly researched and extensively footnoted, with many previously unknown documents revealing Cabinet and Presidential collusion with Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek in preparation for war. A must read work for anyone interested in international affairs, espionage, the inner workings of government, military history, and, of course, the famous "Flying Tigers." - S. F. Bloyer, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

***

Preemptive Strike is a riveting story, well written and convincingly presented. Alan Armstrong tells the tale of the “on again, off again” plan by the United States to bomb Japan before Pearl Harbor. It is a tale of the various influences, personalities, and dynamics that affect the most serious government decisions. In that sense the story is both current and timeless. The facts recounted in Preemptive Strike also compel the reader to move beyond a mere “good guy/bad guy” interpretation of the beginning of the Pacific War. This book invites a re-examination of widely accepted views of important historical events. - Richard L. Dunn, Senior Fellow, University of Maryland

***
So much for the notion that the 1940s were simpler, more innocent times . . . Alan Armstrong's "Preemptive Strike" shows Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Claire Channault and other American leaders in all their stunning complexity. His fresh, unflinching look at pre-war U.S. military posture brings into question things we thought we knew about our nation's first "day of infamy," and the 20th century's "good war." Parallels to today's "War on Terror" are striking. - Dave Hirschman, Author of "Hijacked: The Heroes of Flight 705" and "She's Just Another Navy Pilot"