Storm Clouds over the Pacific, 1931-1941

War in the Far East Series, Book 1

By: Peter Harmsen

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

War in the Far East is a trilogy of books offering the most complete narrative yet written about the Pacific Theater of World War II, and the first truly international treatment of the epic conflict. Historian Peter Harmsen weaves together a complex and revealing narrative, including facets of the war that are often overlooked in historic narratives. He explores the war in subarctic conditions on the Aleutians; details the mass starvations in China, Indochina, and India; and offers a range of perspectives on the war experience, from the Oval Office to the blistering sands of Peleliu.

Storm Clouds over the Pacific begins the story long before Pearl Harbor, showing how the war can only be understood if ancient hatreds and long-standing geopolitics are taken into account. Harmsen demonstrates how Japan and China's ancient enmity led to increased tensions in the 1930s, which, in turn, exploded into conflict in 1937.

The battles of Shanghai and Nanjing were followed by the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, China's only major victory. A war of attrition continued up to 1941, the year when Japan made the momentous decision to pursue all-out war. The infamous attack on Pearl Harbor catapulted the United States into the war, as the Japanese also overran British and Dutch territories throughout the western Pacific.

©2018 Peter Harmsen (P)2021 Tantor

Masterful blend of detail, thoroughness, and brevity.

I know some people are not fans of the Hartfield Pacific trilogy, never wanting to add a hard copy to my library I do not find worthy I purchased the Audible instead. I came away from this first volume extremely impressed with the blend of just enough end depth coverage to throughly tell the story of the political machinations leading up to the pacific war while not bogging down in the minutia. Moving directly on to vol 2.

Solid history, good level of focus

I had followed European 20th century history much more closely. This Asia-Pacific refocusing is overdue for me, and I am pleased with this book as an entry point, pivoting from my familiarity with World War 2 generally. I can see there are countless more dimensions and threads to follow! This book does a workmanlike, not flashy, but well-detailed job of telling the story, very consistently. The one thing I would change is choice of narrator. Walter Dixon is highly skilled, and his calm, smooth style was perfect for the lengthy Essentials of Risk Management, Second Edition. His performance here is up to his high level of competence, but style-wise, I think a bit more edge, sparkle and punch in the delivery would be better.

Great Volume one of series

Peter Harmsen has written a concise but very very informative trilogy on the Pacific War, which has its beginnings in 1931 and earlier. The war initially stated with Japan and China. Most authors do not address this topic. Harmsen does so but doesn’t belabor any issue. This book begins in 1931. Great start and exceptional narration.

Interesting Story

A very interesting story well told and a lot of details which were fascinating. The Japanese leaders starting a war they were never going to win. They believed the Americans would sue for peace. Quite a tragic miscalculation for the Japanese people.

Global war seemed avoidable, until it wasn't.

Very clear and interesting read. Brought home the inevitability of a Japanese / Anglo-American conflict. Cooler heads did not prevail. This may not be a "scholarly" work, but the writer has put together a great story that brings the facts to life. Learned much and what I already knew rang true.