Dawn of Infamy: A Sunken Ship, a Vanished Crew, and the Final Mystery of Pearl Harbor

Harding's (The Castaway's War) latest work delves into the mystery of the U.S. Army cargo ship Cynthia Olson, sunk by a Japanese submarine around the same time as the assault on Pearl Harbor. The precarious timing of her attack coupled with the tragic loss of her crew suggests the vessel should get more attention than would normally merit a small lumber ship. Harding uses wartime records and personal accounts to determine if the ship was the first casualty of Japanese aggression in World War II. Could news of the attack have led to defensive preparations at Pearl Harbor? What happened to the crew who reportedly escaped via lifeboats but were never found? This book is masterfully researched and expertly compiled to develop a better understanding of the fate of the Cynthia Olson and her crew. The depth of detail is impressive but at times leaves the narrative dragging. Richard Ferrone's deep voice makes for easy listening while keeping listeners engaged.