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Anonymous @
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 8:57 PM
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I bought and read all 5 books and really enjoyed the story lines in each, but I do have a negative comment to make about the Pearl Harbor series. It was difficult for me to finish Days of Infamy due to the number of times Christ's name was taken in vain. I feel compelled to write to you about this. I don't understand why it was done. I will pay more attention next time prior to buying another one of your books. If I hadn't been so captured by the story line, I would have put it down. It grieved my heart to see that nearly every page blasphemed my Lord and Savior. At least in the Civil War series Bobby Lee was there to keep it civil. Gentlemen, I know you can write magnificant novels. Please use that talent to glorify God not blaspheme Him.
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Anonymous @
Sunday, July 13, 2008 9:25 AM
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Hello Bill and Newt: I can't express how much I have enjoyed your two books, Pearl Harbor and Dayso f Infamy. I have read many books concerning December 7, 1941, Tolands, and others. The action you discribed aboard both carriers was so real, it was almost impossible to put down. I was seven years old on the famous Sunday, and remember my mother cooking a Sunday roast, we had a small Crosby radio in the kitchen abd our regulr RCA radio in our living home...both were turned to different stations, my father and grandfather both listening intently. I stood there asking questions, only to be shoo'd and to be quiet. There of course followed scrap metal drives, paper, rubber, fat, and cigarette foil. Now I can understand how this country came together, working to help in whatever we could do. To me it was a time in history that America became her greatest! I was only a young boy, but even then I found myself looking up to President Roosevelt, members of government, and with the knowlledge of a small boy, that these men would always to the right thing and keep us safe. I can't say in todays world I feel the same. Thanks again, and please, please continue this series. Someone else suggesred The Phillapines, Batann, and Corregadore. I have also enjoyed Jeff Shaara series of World War II, plus his bood, To The Last Man.
Thank you again, and please pass this on to Newt (President in 2012!!)
Theodore T. French
Maryland
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Anonymous @
Saturday, June 21, 2008 9:40 PM
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I found out about your war series through an ad in "USA, TODAY, and immediately secured copies of both books.I just finished reading the second volumne and I am still in a state of awe. The writing, coupled with some of the most finely tuned historical research I have ever read, was excellant. At the expense of overusing the word, the speculation of what could have been was awesome, and truely backed by the research.
In my humble opinion, three things stood out. The battle scenes had all the flash and thunder that would be expected from accomplished writers, but also reached into the personal fear and sheer exhaustion felt by the individual. Also, the horrific scenes of death and suffering were seen through compassionate eyes. This was exceptional, and is rarely found in accounts of combat.
Secondly: I grew up in this era, being seven years old on "the day of infamy," and living in a small town in WV had no contact with any Oriental people. Other than booing Key Luke as he shot down another US fighter plane and cheering as John Wayne shot him down in flames, at the nickel matinee. I can remember the hatred and rage that existed around me at that time. I can relate to the mindset on both sides which could have produced your alternate history. Thank you for bringing out the humanity of those on both sides, especially the relationship between Commander Watson and Lt. Fuchida. In other books and movies, Fuchida has always been portrayed as egotistical and full of bravado, a cardboard figure dancing on the flight deck.The man you presented, full of pride and passion in his duty and loyalty to his nation, still exhibited compassion and a sensitive nature. He was no Key Luke.
And last but not least, only a pilot could write the vivd flight scenes and combat scenarios. The feel of the stick, the Gs on rolls and dives all were there. It was breathtaking. With a pilot by the name of Mel Robinson, I wingwalked a Steerman. I have flown as a passenger in a Spitfire, a P-40 and a Hellcat. My Boy Scout troop held its meetings in a B-17 in its final resting place at the Princeton Airport during the early 50s. I was so in love with that plane. No one could understand why I cried when it was auctioned off to a scrap dealer.
Thank you, gentlemen for an excellant novel. Now I will take in your Civil War novels (while I await a possible continuation of the Pacific series?).
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Anonymous @
Friday, June 20, 2008 7:30 PM
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Just finished reading "Pearl Harbor a Novel of December 8th". Outstanding work !! It reminds me very much of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. One always wonders.......What If ?......What if Lee had listened to Longstreet and pulled an "end-around" to the right..... headed straight for Washington.......What if Nagumo had authorized the third strike ?? Brings back my years of service in the PacFlt during the Korean "Police Action" mostly operating out of "Pearl"......Another "What If"
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Anonymous @
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 12:04 PM
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Dear Mr. Forstchen:
As an amateur military historian (1967 Richard Bong Award Winner in military history at the US Air Force Academy), I very much enjoyed reading your book Days of Infamy, and I agree with many of your “what ifs?” However, I thought the colonel crying as he sent his men off on a deadly mission (Page 210) was at least 30,000 feet over the top, and the initial insubordinate response to the order by some of the men was over the top as well. It just didn't fit my view of reality.
Michael B. Lumbard
Col, USAF (Ret.)
Washougal, WA
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Anonymous @
Monday, June 16, 2008 8:58 PM
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Thank you for a great WW2 series on an often overlooked subject - the Pacific War. I hope you will continue to explore more of the early Pacific War battles which don't receive the same level of attention as the European theater. Have you considered continuing the series into the Phillippines with MacArthur and the defense of the Bataan and Corregidor? Thank you.
Very Respectfully,
Wayne Manke
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Anonymous @
Monday, June 09, 2008 1:16 PM
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First, I want to say that I've read the three Civil War books and found the utterly fascinating. Very very well done. Even with my limited knowledge of the CW I could see the commanders making the decisions you had them make.
Now, I'm reading the WW II series. I finished Pearl Harbor and I'm 40 pages into Days of Infamy, and loving it. I hope that there will be a least a couple more books in this series.
I do have one question from Pearl Harbor, and it's a little thing, but I wondered if I missed something. At the beginning of Chapter 12, the dates listed are 8 December and 9 December, instead of 7 Dec. and 8 Dec. Was that a typo, or was it significant? Just curious.
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By
zsatrish325 @
Sunday, June 08, 2008 3:08 PM
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this is my first time to this site, but I think it would be great if more americans new about the truth of what is going on with the congress and the green pig, agenda they are hoping to get a dem in office so they can pass the climate bill they have now hidden under the table, these things dont get reported in main stream media and its time that more people are informed on the truths of what is happening, im sick with the lies about america being promoted throughout the world, by our so called citizens, these things need to be addressed, ive been listening to the libs , dems supporters on yahoo answers its disgusting what they have said about hillary, and now they are looking for her voters, its disgusting what they say about our country, and more people need to speak up about this. apparently they feel sorry for alquaida, but not 9/11. are they radicals like rev wright? and fleger?
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Anonymous @
Friday, June 06, 2008 8:14 AM
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Sir,
I attempted to contact Mr. Gingrich via his website; their response led me to your blog. As a naval officer and historian--whose masters thesis dealt with US intelligence and Japan's opening campaign--I have been quite dissappointed with some glaring historical inaccuracies, many popular myths well debunked by rigorous research.
As a historian of the Pacific War, I have purchased and read both volumes in your Pacific War history, much more disappointed with "Days of Infamy" than "Pearl Harbor." My concern is people will refer to what you have written as based on true history where there are many glaring problems.
I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss these with you, if possible or you are interested.
Very Respectfully,
Jim Stobie
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Anonymous @
Sunday, June 01, 2008 5:03 AM
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Can we communicate via email, I have some documents regarding WWII.
Wants to find out whether you will be interested. Thank you
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Anonymous @
Saturday, May 31, 2008 1:06 AM
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Wow! I just finished Days of Infamy and really loved it. What's the chances you will be continueing the series? What happens next? I would like to add my two cents worth. There are other decisions that the Japanese (and Hitler) made that could be rewritten and redirect the outcomes of both theaters. Very entertaining and engrossing reading.
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John Ansell @
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:47 PM
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LOL Bill, I just wrote this and planed on putting on my blog. Due to a link if have in it I'll post it over there to so you can see the link if needed.
Maybe Newt Gingrich or Bill Forstchen can help me out. I’m scratching my head at all the comments coming out regarding Scott McClellan’s new book. I have not read the book and will withhold comment until (or if) I read the book. Today, I see Nancy Pelosi has come out in total agreement with the book so widely talked about in the media. The media is showing their bias like I’ve never seen before, and that’s saying a lot because ever since the election in 2000, it’s been blaringly on display. For instance, today I was watching the local NBC news channel. They broke to a “reporter” covering Washington who immediately said “excuse the smile on my face……” and then he went on to how Scott proves that Bush lied us into Iraq.
The question to Speaker Gingrich or Mr. Forstchen is how many advanced copies of the books do the Authors get? If I can ask another, would Nancy have an advanced copy of the book?
I really hope Nancy had an advanced copy of the book because if she doesn’t, or hasn’t even read the book, then that would be extremely frightening to me to have a political leader be in “Total Agreement” for something they haven’t even seen.
Just wondering.
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