In early 1942, during the darkest months following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a group of 29 Navajo Marines, young and fresh out of boot camp, were taken into a room with bars on the windows and a guard at the door. Their task: devise a top-secret code that would thwart the sharpest cryptanalytic minds in Imperial Japan. And they succeeded. This book documents their staggering wartime achievement: the formation and use of the Navajo Code. But the book is also about the lives of eight Navajo Code Talkers, told in their own words: the difficult living conditions faced during their childhood, and their boarding school experiences where the Navajo language was strictly sometimes brutally suppressed. This is their story. It's a story about a code of humble origins; a code that the most brilliant minds were unable to break; a code that saved thousands of American lives in World War 2. It's a story about their hazardous duty from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and Okinawa often performed under murderous enemy fire, with some paying the ultimate price. It's a story about intelligence, courage, and ultimately, about patriotism. Softcover, 7 x 10 inches, 96 pages, b/w illustrations, index. Appendices include the Navajo Code and a list of all known Navajo Code Talkers. This book was written with the cooperation of members of the Navajo Code Talkers Association. Sales of this book supports the Navajo Code Talkers Association, a non-profit organization.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

?Else Fine? is a play on words, perhaps referring to something of value yet slightly worse for wear. It perfectly describes the booksellers at Else Fine, who have been dealing in used and rare books for over 25 years. We specialize in science fiction, interesting ephemera, books on books, radical literature and history, Pacific Northwest Americana, literature, and whatever else catches our eye.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Else Fine Booksellers
WA, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We ship via USPS and rates are based on the average weight for media mail. $5.50 for the first book, $1.50 each additional book. Very oversized books may require additional shipping. Extra fees may apply for insurance and expedited shipping. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Shipping Terms

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	US$ 5.50	US$ 10.00

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.