Kamikaze Japans Suicide Gods

• Gripping real-life stories of life & death.
• Contains original material, interviews and new sources including excerpts from a never-before published suicide manual.
• Reports on survivors who have lived to tell the tale of the Second World War.

The use of Kamikaze pilots was one of the most dramatic and chilling developments of the Second World War. But who were the kamikaze pilots and what motivated them to give the ultimate sacrifice? Why was the practice initiated by the Japanese air force? This is the untold story of a remarkable development in military and world history. In this gripping account, Albert Axell explains that Kamikaze pilots were part of the national military policy of Japan during the 2nd World War. He writes that Japanese Vice Admiral Takashiro Ohnishi noted that the most effective way to inflict damage to warships was to crash planes into them. Those attacks took the American fleet completely by surprise - they were bewildered by the suicide missions and completely unable to comprehend the mentality behind them. We learn, however, that the call for kamikaze pilots drew a staggering response, with three times as many volunteers for suicide flights as the number of planes available. Kamikaze: The Untold Story sheds light on the world of the Kamikaze pilots, where they came from, what they were thinking about, how they looked at life and death, what they did in their last hours.

Albert Axell has done historical research in China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia and has written severalbooks about these countries (including 'Russia's Heroes' and 'Stalin's War'). He also observed the Vietnam War as a journalist. During the Cold War years he met John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Brezhnev and has met thirty of Stalin's surviving generals.

Original, astonishing, riveting - this stunning book is a warning to today's world. The authors trace the direct line between the Kamikaze and the Al-Qaeda fighters. Both engaged in suicide missions and reaped their rewards in the next world. The Kamikaze became gods and the Al-Qaeda warriors entered paradise. Base on new sources, this is a chilling story masterfully told.' – Martin McCauley, formerly Professor of Politics, University of London

'Fascinating...poignant, horrifying, sad, and heart wrenching. This book is not only about the Kamikaze but about Japanese conceptions of loyalty, duty, sacrifice and death.' – Gerald L. Curtis, Professor of Politics, Columbia University

'This well written and meticulously researched book...evokes haunting memories of the tragic last days of the war and offers provocative insights into the problems of terrorism today' – Admiral James A. Lyons (ret.), former Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet

'Whatever one may think of the ruthless militarists who ordered them into battle, the tragic fate of the young Tokkotai suicide pilots - many of them among Japan's "best and brightest" - deserves both pity and respect. The authors have presented a fascinating portrait of who these young pilots were and why they willingly went to their deaths in the service of Emperor Hirohito, near the close of a war which was long past winning' – Frank Gibney, US lecturer and Japan expert, author of Japan

'Not being an admirer of zealotry, I find it hard to think of the Kamikaze as anything other than misguided young men. This does not mean that their story is not remarkable. Here it is told with skill and vigor. I could not tell it as well myself.' – Edward Seidensticker, Japan expert and translator of The Tale of Genji

¿Fascinating¿poignant, horrifying, sad, and heart wrenching. This book is not only about the Kamikaze but about Japanese conceptions of loyalty, duty, sacrifice and death.¿ Gerald L. Curtis, Professor of Politics, Columbia University

¿This well written and meticulously researched book¿.evokes haunting memories of the tragic last days of the war and offers provocative insights into the problems of terrorism today¿ Admiral James A. Lyons (ret.), former Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet

¿Whatever one may think of the ruthless militarists who ordered them into battle, the tragic fate of the young Tokkotai suicide pilots ¿ many of them among Japan¿s "best and brightest" ¿ deserves both pity and respect. The authors have presented a fascinating portrait of who these young pilots were and why they willingly went to their deaths in the service of Emperor Hirohito, near the close of a war which was long past winning¿ Frank Gibney, US lecturer and Japan expert, author of Japan

¿Not being an admirer of zealotry, I find it hard to think of the Kamikaze as anything other than misguided young men. This does not mean that their story is not remarkable. Here it is told with skill and vigor. I could not tell it as well myself.¿ Edward Seidensticker, Japan expert and translator of The Tale of Genji

• Kamikaze pilots have become incredibly topical since the suicide missions of September 11 - this book traces direct link
• Contains loads of original material, interview and new sources - includes excerpts from never-before published suicide manual
• Uncovers documents realting to British RAF missions which pretty much amounted to suicide missions
• Gripping real-life stories of life and death - survivors who have lived to tell the tale
• Second World War - is one of the biggest sectors in history retail market

The use of the Japanese Kamikaze pilots during the second world war was one of the most dramatic and chilling developments of the war. But who were the Kamikaze pilots and what motivated them to make the ultimate sacrifice?

The call for Kamikaze pilots drew a staggering response. Three times as many applied for suicide flights as the number of planes available. The authors of Kamikaze: Japans Suicide Gods look into the hearts and minds of the Kamikaze pilots, viewed in the full context of the war and the Japanese cultures and traditions out of which the Kamikaze emerged. Based on interviews with Kamikaze survivors, unpublished memoirs, and documents not previously open to the public, the book portrays one of the most extraordinary and astonishing events in history, an event that has made Kamikaze a household word around the world.

Albert Axell has done historical research in China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia and has written several books about these countries.  He also observed the Vietnam War as a journalist.  During the Cold War years he met John F.Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Brezhnev and has met thirty of Stalin's surviving generals.

The call for Kamikaze pilots drew a staggering response. Three times as many applied for suicide flights as the number of planes available. The authors of Kamikaze: Japan¿s Suicide Gods look into the hearts and minds of the Kamikaze pilots, viewed in the full context of the war and the Japanese cultures and traditions out of which the Kamikaze emerged. Based on interviews with Kamikaze survivors, unpublished memoirs, and documents not previously open to the public, the book portrays one of the most extraordinary and astonishing events in history, an event that has made Kamikaze a household word around the world.