Background
Gordon Prange was born on July 16, 1910, in Pomeroy, Iowa, United States. He was a son of Al Prange, a blacksmith, and Johanna Prange. Also, Gordon had an elder brother, named Russell.
Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Between 1935-1936, Gordon attended the University of Berlin (present-day Humboldt University of Berlin).
Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
In 1932, Gordon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. In 1934, he attained his Master of Arts degree and in 1937, Prange got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same university.
1964
College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
Professor Prange, teaching his history class at the University of Maryland in 1964.
1964
College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
Professor Prange, teaching his history class at the University of Maryland in 1964.
Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
In 1932, Gordon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. In 1934, he attained his Master of Arts degree and in 1937, Prange got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same university.
Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Between 1935-1936, Gordon attended the University of Berlin (present-day Humboldt University of Berlin).
(As intense and absorbing as a suspense novel, "At Dawn We...)
As intense and absorbing as a suspense novel, "At Dawn We Slept" is the unparalleled and exhaustive account of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is widely regarded as the definitive assessment of the events surrounding one of the most daring and brilliant naval operations of all time.
https://www.amazon.com/At-Dawn-We-Slept-Untold/dp/0140157344/?tag=2022091-20
1981
("Miracle at Midway" reveals how America won its first and...)
"Miracle at Midway" reveals how America won its first and greatest victory of the Pacific war — and how easily it could have been a defeat.
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-at-Midway-Gordon-Prange-ebook/dp/B00JOW20UI/?tag=2022091-20
1982
(A thrilling account of one of World War II’s most legenda...)
A thrilling account of one of World War II’s most legendary spies.
https://www.amazon.com/Target-Tokyo-Story-Sorge-Ring-ebook/dp/B00JOW20U8/?tag=2022091-20
1985
("God's Samurai" is the unusual story of Mitsuo Fuchida, t...)
"God's Samurai" is the unusual story of Mitsuo Fuchida, the career aviator, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in most of the fiercest battles of the Pacific war.
https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Samurai-Pilot-Harbor-Warriors-ebook/dp/B003C2SPDC/?tag=2022091-20
1986
(When dawn broke over Hawaii on December 7, 1941, no one s...)
When dawn broke over Hawaii on December 7, 1941, no one suspected, that America was only minutes from war. By nightfall, the naval base at Pearl Harbor was a smoldering ruin, and over 2,000 Americans lay dead. This work gives a detailed and immersive real-time account of that fateful morning.
https://www.amazon.com/December-1941-Japanese-Attacked-Harbor-ebook/dp/B00JOW20TE/?tag=2022091-20
1988
Gordon Prange was born on July 16, 1910, in Pomeroy, Iowa, United States. He was a son of Al Prange, a blacksmith, and Johanna Prange. Also, Gordon had an elder brother, named Russell.
In his early years, Gordon attended Pomeroy High School, where he excelled in baseball and track athletics. During those years, Prange was also known as a class clown. In 1928, he finished the school and entered the University of Iowa.
Initially, he wanted to become a coach, but switched his attention to History. In 1932, Gordon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Later, in 1934, he attained his Master of Arts degree and in 1937, Prange got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the same university.
Between 1935-1936, Gordon attended the University of Berlin (present-day Humboldt University of Berlin). Also, before his military service during World War II, he was given a special training in preparation for the foreseen postwar occupation of Japan.
In 1937, Gordon began working first as an instructor and then as an associate professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, a post he held till 1942, when he entered the United States Navy.
During the period from 1946 till 1951, Prange worked in Tokyo as a chief historian on General Douglas MacArthur's staff. During his time in Japan, Gordon studied many war diaries and thousands of letters. He also interviewed officers of the Japanese military. At that time, he led an office of more than eighty historians, who included Japanese, as well as American ex-officers. The experience made him an expert on Japanese culture and government, as well as on the war.
Later, Gordon would write several books, based on the materials he collected in Japan. Several of them became New York Times bestsellers, including "At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor" and "Miracle at Midway". These books were completed and published after Gordon's death by his former students Donald M. Goldstein and Katherine V. Dillon.
In 1951, Gordon came back to the United States and resumed his teaching activities at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was appointed a Professor of History the same year, a post he held until his death in 1980.
During his career, Prange also held a post of an expert in Japanese theater of World War II, as well as a post of a teacher in military government program at Princeton University.
Gordon Prange was a prominent historian, educator and author of bestsellers, such as "At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor" and "Miracle at Midway". Also, he was known for his World War II historical manuscripts, as well as an expert in both Germany and Japan. His book, "Tora! Tora! Tora!", was the basis for the screenplay of the film "Tora! Tora! Tora!", which was produced in 1970.
During his time in Japan, he worked with more than eighty historians, among whom were Japanese, as well as American ex-officers. The experience made him an expert on Japanese culture and government, as well as on the war.
Today, Gordon W. Prange Collection, the most comprehensive archive in the world of Japanese print publications, issued during the early years of the Occupation of Japan, contains Gordon's materials, which he brought with him from Japan to the United States.
Also, he received several awards, including an Outstanding Teacher Award in 1979 and 1980 from the Student Government Association, University of Maryland.
("God's Samurai" is the unusual story of Mitsuo Fuchida, t...)
1986(As intense and absorbing as a suspense novel, "At Dawn We...)
1981("Miracle at Midway" reveals how America won its first and...)
1982(When dawn broke over Hawaii on December 7, 1941, no one s...)
1988(A thrilling account of one of World War II’s most legenda...)
1985Quotations: "I saw Hitler operate firsthand and heard him speak a number of times."
Gordon was a member of the American Historical Association, American Political Science Association and Asiatic Society of Japan.
In 1937, Gordon married Anne (Root) Prange. Their marriage produced three children — Polly, Nancy P. (Helms) and Winfred T. R.
