75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

December 7^th marks the 75^th anniversary of the bombing of the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii.  This attack by the Japanese Imperial Forces, and the later declaration of war by Nazi Germany, pushed the United States into the war on the side of the Allies.  Naturally, an event as pivotal as Pearl Harbor has attracted many, many writers and historians.  This anniversary has seen the release of several new books and there is a vast back catalog of materials to satisfy anybody’s search for answers about that fateful day.  The Kirtland Public Library has several books in our collection for anybody interested in finding out more about what occurred all those years ago.  If you cannot find what you are looking for you can ask any one of our helpful librarians to help you find what exactly you are looking for.

Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness by Craig Nelson (2016)

A Matter of Honor: Pearl Harbor: Betrayal, Blame, and a Family's Quest For Justice by Anthony Summers (2016)

Our Call to Arms: The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Robert Sullivan (2001)

"And I Was There": Pearl Harbor and Midway -- Breaking the Secrets by Edwin T. Layton (1985)

Pearl Harbor: Deadly Surprise Attack by Therese DeAngelis (2002)

Day of Infamy by Walter Lord (2001)

At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Gordon W. Prange (1991)

World War II Reenactor at Kirtland Public Library

Join us on May 17^th at 7:00 pm at the Kirtland Public Library as reenactor Peter Booth brings the story of an American soldier to life.  Told in the first person, Peter shows us what it was like for American soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day in June 1944.

To help bring this story more fully to life Peter will be bringing historical objects from the time period to show what types of equipment and weapons American soldiers used and fought

against.  The public is invited to bring any items of historical interest along to the event, however we ask that any weapons be left at home.  This event is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Kirtland Public Library.

The library has many great resources, for adults and young readers, which can help illuminate more fully the story of D-Day and America’s involvement in the Second World War.  If you don't see the book you want on this list ask a librarian and they will be able to help you find what you want.

Books for Young Readers

The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins: A World War II Soldier by Walter Dean Myers

Rangers Lead the Way: Pointe-du-Hoc D-Day, 1944 by Steve Zaloga

Remember D-day: The Plan, the Invasion, Survivor Stories by Ronald J Drez

Books for Adult Readers

D-day: The Battle for Normandy by Antony Beevor

Eyewitness D-Day: Firsthand Accounts From The Landing At Normandy To The Liberation Of Paris by D.M. Giangreco

Voices of Valor: D-Day, June 6, 1944 by Douglas Brinkley

Overlord: D-Day And The Battle For Normandy by Max Hastings

Six Armies in Normandy: From D-Day to the Liberation of Paris by John Keegan

D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II by Stephen Ambrose

Double Cross: The True Story of the D-day Spies by Ben Macintyre

The Longest Day: June 6, 1944 by Cornelius Ryan

Omaha Beach: A Flawed Victory by Adrian R. Lewis

Movies & Documentaries

While these movies & documentaries featured here might not strictly be about D-Day they offer insights into the experiences of American soldiers during World War II

D-Day (2004)

D-Day's Sunken Secrets (2014)

D-Day 360 (2014)

The War (2007)

Band of Brothers (2002)
Also available on Blu-Ray, based on the book of the same title by Stephen Ambrose

Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Also available on Blu-Ray, based on the book of the same title by Max Allan Collins