J. Garry Clifford (1942-2014) was an award-winning historian and Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. He received the 2012 Distinguished Writing Award from the Army Historical Foundation. He was the author and editor of numerous books, including Presidents, Diplomats, and Other Mortals, with Theodore A. Wilson(University of Missouri Press).Masako R. Okura is Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.

A unique and invaluable study of American-Japanese diplomatic history. The authors present a compelling explanation of how Americans-both the general public and critical members of the Roosevelt administration-perceived Kurusu. The authors also highlight Kurusu's relevance in the run-up to war and do much to bring him out from behind Admiral Nomura's shadow, while also presenting a compelling portrait of familiar figures including Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The use of often overlooked but essential sources such as the Bernard Baruch and Arthur Krock papers make this an impressive volume." - Sidney Pash, author of The Currents of War: A New History of American-Japanese Relations, 1899–1941"This is a fascinating look at the intense negotiations in Washington, D.C., just prior to the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It is the view seen by a special Japanese envoy, Saburo Kurusu, who was hurriedly dispatched to Washington in November 1941 to assist Japanese ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura. U.S. and Japanese policies were at loggerheads over the issue of Japanese aggression in China and what appeared to be impending Japanese moves into Southeast Asia. Talks in Washington between Ambassador Nomura and U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull were attempting to reconcile the two nations' positions in a vain attempt to prevent eruption of a war." - Air Power History"This book presents the best account in English of the activities of the Japanese diplomats in Washington during the negotiations. As such, it should be required reading for all those interested in the outbreak of the Pacific War." - Journal of American-East Asian Relations"Thanks to the labors of Clifford and Okura, it will be difficult to look again at the last three weeks of peace in quite the same way." - H-Net

J. Garry Clifford (1942-2014) was an award-winning historian and Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. He received the 2012 Distinguished Writing Award from the Army Historical Foundation. He was the author and editor of numerous books, including Presidents, Diplomats, and Other Mortals, with Theodore A. Wilson(University of Missouri Press).Masako R. Okura is Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.

A unique and invaluable study of American-Japanese diplomatic history. The authors present a compelling explanation of how Americans-both the general public and critical members of the Roosevelt administration-perceived Kurusu. The authors also highlight Kurusu's relevance in the run-up to war and do much to bring him out from behind Admiral Nomura's shadow, while also presenting a compelling portrait of familiar figures including Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The use of often overlooked but essential sources such as the Bernard Baruch and Arthur Krock papers make this an impressive volume." - Sidney Pash, author of The Currents of War: A New History of American-Japanese Relations, 1899–1941"This is a fascinating look at the intense negotiations in Washington, D.C., just prior to the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It is the view seen by a special Japanese envoy, Saburo Kurusu, who was hurriedly dispatched to Washington in November 1941 to assist Japanese ambassador Kichisaburo Nomura. U.S. and Japanese policies were at loggerheads over the issue of Japanese aggression in China and what appeared to be impending Japanese moves into Southeast Asia. Talks in Washington between Ambassador Nomura and U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull were attempting to reconcile the two nations' positions in a vain attempt to prevent eruption of a war." - Air Power History"This book presents the best account in English of the activities of the Japanese diplomats in Washington during the negotiations. As such, it should be required reading for all those interested in the outbreak of the Pacific War." - Journal of American-East Asian Relations"Thanks to the labors of Clifford and Okura, it will be difficult to look again at the last three weeks of peace in quite the same way." - H-Net