Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII Kindle Edition

If you are looking for a one of a kind history book this is it. There really is only one book written by a Code Talker and this book he explains how the famous talkers where formed and where they served.One of the more interesting aspects of this book concerns the man’s life and culture. The author spends a lot of time explaining Navaho traditions and beliefs. He does a priceless job of interweaving this into the history of the second world war. This is truly what makes his book special. I enjoyed these moments learning about the Navaho as much as I enjoyed the sections dealing with the war in eh Pacific.None-the-less a sense of modesty of the author leaves out specific details regarding his personal performance in the war. But he showers his contemporaries with praise for their action. I would have liked more detail about the specific battles. This may be a cultural thing as he says his people are very private people who do not boast of their personal accomplishments.This book has a priceless place in history. I was amazed to find that native American languages had been used in WWI to confuse to Germans. However, they were not used to a higher level until World War Two.There are many great personal accounts of World War Two. But there really isn’t anything to compare this one to. It is really the only book written by a Code Talker. If you want to know more about the war in the Pacific in general I would recommend, “With the Old Breed,” by E.B. Sledge an, “Helmet for my Pillow,“ by Robert Leckie. Both of these men fought in battles that would have had code talkers serving win the ranks.

I started reading this book because I happened to meet the author's daughter and grand-children purely by accident in a national park. His daughter told me a bit about his history and his time in the Armed Forces, which made me need to know more about how the miracle of the code-talkers ever came about. The book doesn't limit itself to just the military part of his life, however. This is also a detailed and heart-breaking account of the destruction of a whole way of life that started in this man's youth and continues today and can't ever be healed. The times before and after World War II are as fascinating and gripping as the war period itself. I was overwhelmed by the story. Please honor this man by reading his book.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the whole truth about our conflicts and our soldiers who volunteer their very lives. Often times, there are people who are overlooked when it comes to these things. People who seemingly participated invisibly w/ no one to acknowledge or appreciate their sacrifices.Our people are tremendously proud of our warriors who went to battle to protect OUR home, our people and our way of life. Even if it meant standing shoulder to shoulder w/ those who had persecuted our peoples. Our grandfathers deserve acknowledgement for what they did. Our language, that which we were not permitted to utter a word of back home, was the key. That needs to be known. And appreciated.

Wonderful. A well-told story of one of the original Navajo code talkers of WWII. But it is more than just the story of the war and the Navajos' essential contribution to it. It is also the life story, from boyhood to old age, of a hero. I learned so much, both about the code talkers and about Navajo life in Chester Nez's growing up years. If you think the government is wise in running people's business, take a look at what was done to the Navajo people when the government summarily decided to solve the problem of over- grazing. The Navajo code talkers became so essential in the battles for the Pacific islands that when their fellow marine units were rotated out for R and R, the code talkers stayed on duty with the new troops rotated in. Chester Nez survived horrors and did his job. When his points were filled and he finally was pulled out, just as he was ready to board ship for Iwo Jima, he spent a long time hospitalized with what we now call PTSD. When he returned to his home, he could not even tell anyone what he had really done in the Marines. It was top secret for 23 years.

I have a special appreciation of such memoirs that show how it was for those who served in not only the adversity of war, but of culture differences, there are too few. They are great reminders of the changes that WWII started in our society and continued through the 80s before the inevitable ebb of diversity began to swing the other direction. It's important to remember the contributions to freedom that native americans, blacks, hispanics, and even Japanese-Americans made.Do not expect 100% accuracy for the flow of battles and such. That is not the intent of this book, it is one mans remembrance of how things went. The more important part is his role, and you won't find a more detailed place to see the code-talkers role explained.Throughout my lifetime, I've poured over the accounts of the marine assaults, and in every one, the code-talkers appear as a crucial element, finally I actually get insight into their story specifically. I was impressed with the Corps too, for recognizing and nurturing a winning talent and capability. It showed yet another bit of the foresight of some top Marines for innovation (something I've often noted in the Marines WWII attempts to go outside the box).

Good account of the story of the Apache code talkers. Feels like some of the text is 'padding' but all in all very enjoyable read and informative.(I just can't help but feel that it could have been a bit better researched, as in - more info, especially background facts, could have been provided.)I am a bit of a geek when it comes that part of the history, particularly the final phase of the WWII and the lead up to atomic bombings of Japan so I was hoping this book would explore a lot more about the key role of the code talkers in encryption of the tactical messages of the US Army.It reads more like a narrative account , I would almost liken it to a memoir, rather than 'hard' historical account, which I think I was hoping for - hard facts with a bit of narrative and anecdotes.

The book describes the history of how the Navajo indians used their own language to provide radio communications which could not be understood by the Japanese, and how the Japanese came quite close to cracking this.. A fascinating insight into an aspect of World War Two that was kept secret for about 20 years after the end of the war. An exciting read describing the terrible fighting conditions in the war in the Pacific. The author gives a graphic description of the poor living conditions of the Navajos living in reservations in America and the difficult conditions faced by their society.

This is a well-written account of the way that the language of the Navajo Indians formed the basis of a code to encipher secret messages. Despite the efforts of the Germans the code proved unbreakable. The book is written by a man belonging to the Navajo Indian tribe who was in the navy and whose identity was kept secret. I give it five stars because of the unique and authentic story, and because of the quality of the writing, but I confess that it went on a little too long for me and I skipped the last part.

If you have an interest in modern warfare and the extraordinary human stories of sacrifice and tenacity of those partaking, this is a piece of history unique to sections of communications. A window on adversity and vagaries of warfare during WWII in the Southern Pacific, Focusing on the American and Japanese atoll centered violent conflict. An excellently presented view from one of the original Navajo Code Talkers.

This is an amazing story of Native American Navaho volunteers who gave their all in the second world war for the country which didn't even allow them to vote. Their astonishing feats of intelligence and memory actually changed the course of the war against Japan. I had never heard of them before. They should be celebrated by us all.