Day of Lightning, Years of Scorn: Walter C. Short and the Attack on Pearl Harbor by Charles R. Anderson is a historical biography that examines the life and career of Lieutenant General Walter C. Short, the U.S. Army commander in Hawaii during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The book explores Short’s military background, the events leading up to the attack, and the aftermath of December 7, 1941, which saw him blamed for the lack of preparedness. Anderson provides a detailed analysis of the controversy surrounding Short’s role, the intelligence failures, and the subsequent investigations that shaped his legacy.

Through meticulous research, the book challenges long-standing perceptions and offers a more nuanced view of Short’s actions and decisions before one of the most infamous days in American history.