On December 7, 1941, the course of U.S. history changed forever with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Three weeks prior, Japanese Special Envoy to the United States Saburo Kurusu visited Washington in an attempt to further peace talks between Japan and America and spare his country the loss he knew would occur if a war began. But as he reported, “Working for peace is not as simple as starting a war.” For more than seventy years, many have unfairly viewed Kurusu and his visit as part of the Pearl Harbor plot. Editors J. Garry Clifford and Masako R. Okura seek to dispel this myth with their edition of Kurusu’s memoir, The Desperate Diplomat.

Kurusu's own English translation of his 1952 memoir, Nichi-Bei gaikåo hiwa.

The interrupted, misread, misinterpreted messages --The midnight messenger -- My meeting with Premier Tåojåo -- Passing through the places of my two years of service -- My forty-eight hours at midway -- Washington at the time of my arrival -- My first meeting with the president -- My first negotiation with hull -- The deteriorating one week -- My conference with Hull at his home -- Hull's fatal note -- Negotiation falls into a tight spot -- Our second meeting with the president -- Premier Tåojåo's speech to expel America and Great Britain -- Plan for the exchange of messages between heads of state -- The "If" lurking behind history -- The kindness of Baruch -- The final ultimatum -- Life during internment -- Several speculations -- Contemplation and observation -- Exchange ship -- Arrival home.