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Book Review of Kamikaze: History's Greatest Naval Disaster

Kamikaze: History's Greatest Naval Disaster
hardtack avatar reviewed on + 2596 more book reviews


This is a very interesting book which shows how the Pacific typhoons which struck the Mongol fleets of Khubilai Khan were directly linked to the Kamikaze attacks on the U.S. fleet at Okinawa. What made it even more interesting is that for centuries Japanese authorities forbade their people to discuss the defeat of the Mongol fleets. It was only when the culture in Japan changed to reflect a more military view that the legend of the "Divine Wind" was played up again.

The author does spend some time looking at the proposed invasion of Japan from the Mongol side and why it was necessary to Khubilai to undertake the invasions, and why he failed. The author also provides evidence that many of the ships in the invasion fleets might not have been the best. The book also covers the failed Mongol invasions of Viet Nam and Java.

The author also covers the archaeological investigations which uncovered some of what I mention above, and which are still continuing.