Bywater was not only a Cassandra-like voice on Japanese militancy and a brilliant naval strategist, he was also a fascinating, robust, and exciting man, whose work as a journalist led him to dabble in espionage. Visions of Infamy is a major biography set against the grand stage of the forces that led to war. William H. Honan brilliantly relates how one complex man's obsessions influenced the course of history. This is a book about genius, folly, and doom. Notes Surprise is the key element in decisive warfare.
Surprise is achieved by secrecy and deception.
The Japanese commanders would have been derelict in their duty to not rely upon deception, secrecy and surprise to prevail at Pearl Harbor. Japan needed surprise and American commanders conceded surprise.