Historian John Toland Dies
Tuesday January 6, 2004
John Toland was awarded the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction for his book The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945 which tells the story of the Pacific War mainly from the Japanese viewpoint. Toland also wrote a monumental biography of Hitler, Adolf Hitler: The Definitive Biography. Toland died on Sunday, January 5 in Connecticut at the age of 91.
Comments
John Toland’s biography of Hitler is one of the most impressive of all. Speaking as a historian of the period myself, and the author of the most recent biography of Hitler, ‘Adolf Hitler: A Portrait,’ I have to say that some of his conclusions seem simply wrong and some of his data have been superseded. He is perhaps most in error in his dealing with the 1939 bomb plot, the truth about which I have revealed in my new book (named historical biography of the month in August 2006 by the Good Book Guide). All the same, Toland’s book remains a great achievement.
Was John Toland related in any way to noted cinemaphotographer Gregg Toland?
I met Marcia, John Tolands daughter many years ago. She attended a church where I was the pastor, in Placeville, CA. Would you have any information her where abouts.
I’m reading the Toland (Hitler) book now and it’s impressive. Good book; I’m enjoying every page..
I am currently reading his autobiography: Captured by History. A fascinating story of a fascinating man. Highly recommended.
I wish I could have met him.