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Midway Inquest: Why the Japanese Lost the Battle of Midway. By Dallas Woodbury Isom. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-253-34904-0. Maps. Photographs. Tables. Appendixes. Notes. Selected bibliography. Index. Pp. xiii, 408. $29.95.
This latest book examining the events and riddles of the Battle of Midway is best understood and judged as rather attempting to answer "Why the Japanese could not launch their strike against the U.S.carriers in time." It is arguable that overall the Japanese lost because the operational plan itself was fatally flawed and pre-disposed to produce precisely the fatal dilemma and unsatisfactory choices for Nagumo's carrier fleet that eventuated. However, Dallas Woodbury Isom's book concentrates on a more specific cause in attempting to pin down precisely why Admiral Nagumo could not launch his mass strike against the sighted U.S.fleet in time, and (this is important) the actual time he gave the fateful order to re-arm to do so, and how long that process required. Despite the limitations of this focus, it is precisely why Isom's book is an interesting read. Throughout, the narrative is crisp, clear, and readable, with useful sub-headings within the chapters that help frame Isom's presentations.
A retired Professor of Law, Isom uses his experience in cases to shape his perspective. By his own declaration "As Admiral Nagumo and the crew of Tone 4 have been charged with serious malfeasance, or at least with gross negligence, I have also taken on the role...