
History That Doesn't Suck 196: An Epilogue to Pearl Harbor with Steve Twomey
Jan 5, 2026
Joining the discussion are Lindsey Cormack, an associate professor of political science, and Steve Twomey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. They delve into the meticulous and suspenseful retelling of the events leading up to Pearl Harbor. Twomey shares insights from nine government inquiries that shaped their understanding. They explore Admiral Kimmel's leadership, the mistakes made due to trust and misinterpretations of Japanese intentions, and the crucial moments that changed the course of history on December 7, 1941.
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Twelve Days As A Real-Time Drama
- Steve Toomey frames Pearl Harbor as a real-time human drama of decisions made with fragmentary clues.
- He reconstructs the twelve days from Nov 27 to Dec 7 to show how people coped without knowing the outcome.
Assumptions Broke The Chain
- Overreliance on assumptions replaced explicit verification between commanders.
- Stark assumed Kimmel was executing orders and never asked him to explain his defensive measures.
Misreading The Japanese Mind
- U.S. leaders misunderstood Japanese motives and overestimated shared rationality.
- Cultural assumptions and racial prejudice caused planners to misread Japan's willingness to take high-risk actions for honor.





