Pearl Harbor historian to sign books Dec. 7

Browseabout Books will host a signing event with Mark Stille, author of “Pearl Harbor: Japan's Greatest Disaster,” from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, in Rehoboth Beach.

Stille, a retired U.S. Navy commander, traces the road to war and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His book examines the role of the man behind the operation, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the plan. The American preparations for an attack are also carefully reviewed.

The heart of the book is a comprehensive narrative of Pearl Harbor along with an appreciation of its results placed in proper perspective. In common with many of the major campaigns of the Pacific War, many myths surround the Battle of Pearl Harbor, and, among others, Stille explores and dismantles the myth of Yamamoto as a military genius, as well as the myth that the attack was brilliantly planned. Although it was long regarded as a brilliant strike, Stille argues in “Pearl Harbor” that the attack was instead a tactical disappointment, an operational failure and a strategic disaster.

Stille’s career as a naval intelligence officer included service on the Joint Staff and the faculty of the Naval War College, in several other operational tours, and as a member of the ships’ companies of carriers Nimitz and Carl Vinson. After leaving the Navy, he continued a career in the intelligence community for another 18 years. He has lectured widely on a variety of Pacific War topics.