Blossoms in the Wind
M.G. Sheftall, NAL Caliber, New York, 2005

    This is really an outstanding book. Apart from providing the inspiration for my "Special Attackers" decal set, this book is a sensitive, yet, studious anecdotal history on the Kamikaze corps related by surviving veterans themselves. Author M.G. Sheftall is an American scholar living in Japan who spent years amassing the trust of surviving veterans who, in turn, provided their stories for this book. We visit with air corps and Kaiten sailors and are transported back to late war Japan as they relive their experiences, fears, feelings of loss and, finally, their hopes for post-war Japan. For modelers, only a small photo section is included, but, a photo of the stunning 197th Shinbu-Tai "Momotaro" rudder marking is shown being applied to a Hayate fighter.

    I picked this book up from a local book store and it is readily avaialble; I'd recommend the hardbound edition for longevity.