In the years and months leading up to Pearl Harbor, Japan was becoming the most industrialized state in Asia, as well as the repository of a martial heritage that fueled imperial ambitions of conquest and hegemony. Across the Pacific, the United States was emerging from the depression and again growing into its role as a global power. Today’s partnership between modern Japan and the United States was forged by the confrontation, and finally the reconciliation, of these two competing agendas and cultures in World War II, a drama that was defined by two men: General Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito. Under celebrated historian Robert Harvey's scrutiny, these two iconographic figures are brought into full relief, producing a nuanced narrative as well as a revealing portrait of these extraordinary figures. American Shogun delivers a remarkable account of the vast divide that led to war, and to the unforeseen commonality that helped develop a lasting peace.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Robert Harvey is a distinguished journalist and former Minister of Parliament and the author of numerous books, including A Few Bloody Noses and Liberators. He commutes between Wales and England.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In the end, the power structure is still there,
By
This review is from: American Shogun: General MacArthur, Emperor Hirohito and the Drama of Modern Japan (Paperback)
Although the subtitle implies the book is about the intertwined fates of MacArthur and Hirohito, and there are biographical elements to it, the book is really a comparison between Japan's pre-war and post-war culture and power structures. Essentially this is a narrative history of the internal and external politics than led to Japanese aggression against Russian and China, which led ultimately to Japan's attacks across the rest of Asia and against the United States in December 1941.
The author argues that Japan's internal politics, economic concerns, and the power dynamic of the Emperor, the military, the bureaucracy, and the zaibatsu led to its wars against virtually all of its neighbors. He goes on to argue that after the war, despite MacArthur's best efforts, that same Japanese power structure survived and still exists today. And it's a power structure that believes it was the victim, that its invasions of its neighbors were justified, and that Japan was not militarily defeated but that it had to surrender because the US had nuclear weapons. Another very interesting point the author makes is the amazing difference in the way the allies treated the Japanese after the war vs. Germany. Aside from a few show trials, there were no major war crimes efforts in Japan. At the same time, while Germany was subject to a rigorous de-Nazification program, the Japanese power structures were left intact. This is an excellent, easy to read narrative history that puts everything in context. It begins with a brief history of Japan, especially covering the period between the time Japan was forcefully exposed to the world, through to WWII. It then has an overview of the war itself, followed by and interesting analysis of post-war Japan. If you like WWII, you will want to read this book in order to understand the context of Japan's aggression.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great popular history,
By
This review is from: American Shogun: General MacArthur, Emperor Hirohito and the Drama of Modern Japan (Paperback)
This is a very competent and well-researched biographical history of General Douglas MacCarthur and Emperor Hirohito, who between them largely defined the US post-war occupation of Japan, The book not only tells their story but also that of the events that shaped them. A lot of research has been put into this, and the social and political history is totally compelling. The US side is interesting and informative. The Japanese part, a subject most English speaking readers will be unfamiliar with, is even better.
The only niggle I have is that is that the comparison between the two men does come over as rather forced. The exploits of the larger-than-live MacCarthur are already well known, whereas Hirohito was a rather colourless and ineffectual individual. In short, there's not much more to say about the one, and not really much worth saying about the other.
4.0 out of 5 stars
American Viceroy,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: American Shogun: General MacArthur, Emperor Hirohito and the Drama of Modern Japan (Paperback)
... as an alternative title. Mr. Harvey has done it again (I previously read his "War of Wars" about Britain vs. Napoleon) and has woven together two very different lives that lead to the attempt to change Japan after WWII- a very interesting read in this era of Iraq and Afghanistan- what can and cannot be done by an outside force in a distant country. A very good read.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
