The Atlanta World War II History Round Table in partnership with Books-A-Million proudly presents critically acclaimed author Lew Paper's IN THE CAULDRON: Terror, Tension, and the American Ambassador's Struggle to Avoid Pearl Harbor at the Saturday, October 21, 2023 Atlanta World War II History Round Table meeting in Dunwoody, Georgia.
This is not just another book about Pearl Harbor. It is the story of Joseph Grew, America's ambassador to Japan, and his frantic effort in the months before the Pearl Harbor attack to orchestrate an agreement between Japan and the United States to avoid the war he saw coming.
It is a story filled with hope and heartache, with complex and fascinating characters, and with a drama befitting the momentous decisions at stake.
And more than that, it is a story that has never been told.
In those months before the Pearl Harbor attack, Japan and the United States were locked in a battle of wills. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's economic sanctions were crippling Japan. America's noose was tightening around Japan's neck -- but the country's leaders refused to yield to American demands.
In this cauldron of boiling tensions, Joseph Grew offered many recommendations to President Roosevelt and his administration to break the deadlock. And when those recommendations were ignored, Grew tried to warn Washington that Japan was prepared to launch a suicidal war against the United States. Having resided and worked in Tokyo for almost ten years, Grew understood what Roosevelt and his administration did not: that the Japanese would rather face annihilation than endure the humiliation of surrendering to American pressure.
About the Author
Lew Paper has authored six books -- In The Cauldron: Terror, Tension, and The American Ambassador's Struggle to Avoid Pearl Harbor; John F. Kennedy: The Promise and the Performance; Brandeis: An Intimate Biography; Empire: William S. Paley and the Making of CBS; Perfect: Don Larsen's Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made It Happen; and Deadly Risks (a novel revolving around the assassination of John F. Kennedy).
Lew's articles and book reviews have appeared in a variety of newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic, and The American Scholar.
Lew is a former Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and a former Teaching Fellow in Government at Harvard College.
LOCATION, Pricing, Admission & Event Agenda
RSVP Required
RSVP with Bill LeCount no later than October 18, 2023 at 404-886-7383 or email us.
This event is open to the public and members of the Atlanta World War II History Round Table and their guests and will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the Dunwoody United Methodist Church located at 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338.
Admission Price: $25 per person (pay at the gate), WWII veterans free, cafeteria style lunch included in admission price. Atlanta World War II History Round Table members receive $5 off admission price.
Hard copies of IN THE CAULDRON: Terror, Tension, and the American Ambassador's Struggle to Avoid Pearl Harbor may be purchased at the event for $29.99 + tax each and signed by Mr. Paper. Book purchases by credit card or cash only.
Social Time: 10:30 – 11:15 am
Lunch served: 11:15 – 11:45 am
Atlanta World War II History Round Table meeting & Mr. Paper's presentation starts between 11:45 AM and noon.
