Thomas H. Begay and the Navajo Code Talkers (Paperback)

Alysa Landry

ISBN 10: 0821425064 / ISBN 13: 9780821425060

Published by Ohio University Press, Athens, 2023

About this Item

Paperback. Thomas H. Begay was one of the young Navajo men who, during World War II, invented and used a secret, unbreakable communications code based on their native Dine language to help win the war in the Pacific. Although the book includes anecdotes from other code talkers, its central narrative revolves around Begay. It tells his story, from his birth near the Navajo reservation, his childhood spent herding sheep, his adolescence in federally mandated boarding schools, and ultimately, his decision to enlist in the US Marine Corps.Alysa Landry relies heavily on interviews with Begay, who, as of this writing, is in his late nineties and one of only three surviving code talkers. Begay's own voice and sense of humor make this book particularly significant in that it is the only Code Talker biography for young readers told from a soldier's perspective. Begay was involved with the book every step of the way, granting Landry unlimited access to his military documents, personal photos, and oral history. Additionally, Begay's family contributed by reading and fact-checking the manuscript. This truly is a unique collaborative project. Through Thomas H. Begay's singular story, this richly illustrated biography for young readers describes aspects of Navajo history and culture and shows how a select group of Navajo soldiers used their native Dine language to invent and operate a secret communications system that was crucial to a US victory in the Pacific during World War II. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780821425060

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Thomas H. Begay and the Navajo Code Talkers (Paperback)
• Publisher: Ohio University Press, Athens
• Publication Date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0821425064
• ISBN 13: 9780821425060
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Thomas H. Begay was one of the young Navajo men who, during World War II, invented and used a secret, unbreakable communications code based on their native Diné language to help win the war in the Pacific. Although the book includes anecdotes from other code talkers, its central narrative revolves around Begay. It tells his story, from his birth near the Navajo reservation, his childhood spent herding sheep, his adolescence in federally mandated boarding schools, and ultimately, his decision to enlist in the US Marine Corps. Alysa Landry relies heavily on interviews with Begay, who, as of this writing, is in his late nineties and one of only three surviving code talkers. Begay’s own voice and sense of humor make this book particularly significant in that it is the only Code Talker biography for young readers told from a soldier’s perspective. Begay was involved with the book every step of the way, granting Landry unlimited access to his military documents, personal photos, and oral history. Additionally, Begay’s family contributed by reading and fact-checking the manuscript. This truly is a unique collaborative project.

About the Author

Alysa Landry teaches English, journalism, and creative writing at the Navajo Nation’s Diné College. She has written for Navajo Times–Diné bi Naltsoos, Indian Country Today, the Searchlight New Mexico news organization, and other publications.