This book provides a comprehensive outline of the battle between Japan and America which lasted for 4 years starting with the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor and ending with the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It examines the key personalities, military strategies and human cost of the war in the Pacific, answering questions such as: How were Japanese and American civilians affected? What role did cultural differences play in the conduct of the war? and, Why did Japan risk attacking one of the most powerful nations on earth? Panels explaining the role of key players and strategies are scattered throughout as are fascinating photos and maps to illustrate this important part of world history.