I recently finished reading Black Wind for the 3rd time. It is by far one of my favorite books. After finishing it this last time, a couple of questions lingered in my head. I don't really know much about WWII history. So, I figured the best way to find out is just ask on this forum for there seems to be a fountain of information here.

I know that FPW does a lot of research for all of his books. Particularly in Black Wind, citing many books in the Bib in the back. But I was wondering how much of the events pertaining to WWII, specifically the actions of the US Government, was fact or fiction? Did the US really break the Japanese code so long before Pearl Harbor? As the book states, did the US Government know of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and even encourage it? Knowing that an attack on America was the only way to get the country to go to war? I was just wondering if this was just fiction for the story or there was truth to it? It just makes too much sense it's scary!

-Kevin

Did the US really break the Japanese code so long before Pearl Harbor?

Absolutely.

As the book states, did the US Government know of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and even encourage it?

To my knowledge there's no smoking gun, but there's tons -- tons -- of circumstantial evidence. All the circumstantial evidence in BW is verifiable.

My belief is they knew Japan was going to attack but never dreamed they'd suffer the losses they did. Yes, FDR wanted us in the war; no,