Customer Reviews

The Emperor's General

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This is a ripping good historical novel about General MacArthur's leadership of the American occupation of Japan--the first time in over a thousand years that the "nation family" of Japan suffered defeat and conquest. The author tells the story from the perspective of one Jay Marsh, a young Japanese-speaking American captain and aide-de-camp to General MacArthur. Seen from Marsh's perspective, we see MacArthur from what seemed to me to be an authentic portrayal of a complicated man who was vain, brilliant, ambitious, and charismatic.

The essential theme of the novel (no spoilers here) is that in 1945 although MacArthur represented the victor and the Japanese were in fact utterly beaten and indeed devestated by war, the interaction between occupier and the Japanese power structure was complex. The Japanese ruling class, although forced to endure American-inspired democratic reforms, remained the ruling class, at least for a time. In particular, the novel shows how, in exchange for the Japanese establishment's cooperation for a remarkably tranquil and calm occupation, most of the truly culpable Japanese war criminals escaped prosecution. The infamous Rape of Nanking, in particular, largely went unpunished.

Although the novel is wonderful history, it never loses sight of its first mission--to entertain. The story is beautifully told, with compassion and humor, as we follow Captain Marsh through his love affairs with beautiful Phillipine and Japanese girls, and his interaction, friendships, and ultimately his outmaneuverings of key Japanese government figures. The most rivetting part of the novel, and its central story, is the trial and hanging of Japanese General Yamashita. Author Webb does an excellent job persuading the reader that this was in fact a travesty of justice in which MacArthur essentially made Yamashita a scapegoat for war crimes committed by others--others in the Japanese power establishment whom MacArthur was shielding from prosecution in exchange for the establishment's cooperation in the occupation and democratic reform process.

An unforgettable novel that I have read more than once, each time with added insight and enjoyment.

This book has two main stories. The first is the "inside story" of McArthur's reconstruction of Japan, as seen by a young aide. The tale told there is one of deception, betrayal and manipulation, where the "old order" in Japan emerges unscathed in the guise of the "new." The monsters that were responsible for the horros of Nanking and Manila are left untouched and an honorable man is hanged in their place.

The other story is the coming of age of the young aide; his love of a woman he cannot, in the end, have; and his inner turmoil as he watches -- and participates in -- the sham that is the General's New Japan.

Jay's story is made more interesting in contrast to the historical events. That his story manages to overshadow the politics of victory and occupation makes it all the more potent.

A great book, highly recommended.

In the Emperor's General, James Webb proves that he is as good at bringing real historical figures to life as he is in portraying the harsh life of combat from the eyes of fictional soldiers. The general in question is Douglas McArthur, great man and great ego, and the emperor is the emperor of Japan following WWII. McArthur was the military governor for the period of occupation and the history books tell us mostly that he was loved by the Japanese and brought them order, a new constitution and rights for women. What the history books (at least in schools) don't dwell on is the cost of those reforms and how they were achieved.

This book does, among other themes, concern itself with the settling of blame for the war and atrocities, the struggle of the emperor and his supporters to protect him from punishment or embarrassment, and the compromises tha McArthur made in order to achieve his ends - and his 'place in history'. The most startling premise of the book is that McArthur allowed the Japanese general who commaned the last troops to surrender in the Philipines, to become the scapegoat for the empreror's (and his friends and family's) sins. This figure, presented as a noble warrior who engaged in no atrocities and fought against all odds until ordered to surrender by the emperor, is tried and condemned to death - partly to satisfy McArthur's desire for someone to punish because of the rape of he Philipines and partly to shift blame from the emperial household.

Whatever one believes about the actual history involved, the picture drawn of McArthur and the other characters, is so believable and detailed, that one cannot but be moved by the story. The reader's sympathies are, at book's end, with the Japanese general and not with McArthur.

This is only scratching the surface of this book. There is much more to it. It is a full and rich experience that touches on many themes. It is a thought provoking novel that tells a complex story of interesting characters - some real and some fictional. Very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

The Emperor's General is set at the end of World War 2 in the Pacific and centres around the American occupation of Japan following the surrender of the Japanese. It tells of the political chess game played out between the Japanese Emperor and General MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the allies in Asia. The story is told through the eyes of Captain Jay Marsh, an aide to General MacArthur. The three main characters in the story are Jay Marsh, General MacArthur and number one advisor to the Emperor, Lord Privy Seal Koichi Kido. Although the surrounding events to the story are based on historical facts and the major historical figures did exist, the author James Webb tells us the story is otherwise one of fiction, and the interplay of the characters is drawn from his surmise and deduction. Nonetheless, one can't help but ponder how much Webb has accurately deducted from his research. I thoroughly enjoy historical novels, but tend to lean towards ones that have a deal of action in them. The Emperor's General has no battlefield fighting and no action in the normal sense of the word contained within the story, so it was going to be a test for me and I think a test for the book to see if it could hold my interest. I wasn't disappointed. This is a beautifully written book. It draws you into the story in such a subtle way that it has a mystical quality to it. Webb has masterfully created the atmosphere of the Asian cities where the story unfolds. Reading about the Philippines, one can feel the prickly heat and the rain soaked roads leading from the capital Manila. The destruction of Tokyo is contrasted vividly with the elegance of the few remaining buildings deliberately left untouched by allied bombing. Webb has portrayed Japanese culture and tradition in a very convincing manner and has woven it into the story intricately. This aspect plays a lead part in the crafting of this story and from this perspective the book will appeal to those with an interest in Asian cultures and is a wonderful introduction to those interested in knowing something about the Japanese psyche. Running parallel to the political mind game being played out in Tokyo, where Captain Jay Marsh is stationed for most of the story, is the romance between Marsh and his Philippine lover Divina Clara. Marsh is torn between his love for Divina and his love for the diplomatic role he plays in the shaping of Japan. The relationship between the young American Captain and the beautiful Philippine woman is a swirling mix of romance, clash of cultures and a surreal Asian atmosphere which is all marvellously rendered by Webb. The unfolding relationship between Marsh, MacArthur and the Lord Privy Seal Koichi Kido is where the obvious drama in this story takes place, but always hauntingly in the background is this yearning romance which culminates the book. My hat is off to the author. This is an engrossing and stunning stage-show penned in the highest calibre. I know these words have been used before to describe this book, but they are so appropriate I feel obliged to reiterate them. The Emperor's General is "sublime, romantic" and utterly mesmerising. "An unforgettable read".

Not everyone went home to the USA from the Pacific when World War II ended. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur went on to become the virtual ruler of Japan from 1945 until the Korean War broke out and focused his attention on other areas of Asia. This story is the story of Jay Marsh, a minor member of MacArthur's staff at the invasion of the Philippines and his rise in the pecking order that was MacArthur's staff. Marsh begins a relationship with a woman he meets in the Philippines and while professing love for her goes on to Japan and gradually becomes immersed in the politics and history of being at the right hand of MacArthur. Mr. Webb offers us an exceptional book that is hard to detect fiction from fact, the two are so seamlessly meshed. Marsh finds himself, through his ability to speak Japanese, a companion of Emperor Hirohito's closest advisor and a witness to the dramatic meeting between MacArthur and the Emperor of Japan. There is a price that is exacted from Marsh for his close proximity to the unfolding of the drama that was the American occupation of Japan in 1945-46. Mr. Webb's treatment of the trial of General Yamashita is absorbing and sobering and gives a rather different picture of MacArthur. This is a book that I didn't want to put down. I heartily recommend it to anyone with an interest in Japanese-American relations following World War II.

Look! I am only a reader, not a critic, but this book is a real page turner, an actual pot boiler, a true story that you can't put down until you finish it. Okay, that's my critique of the book as a novel. Now, for the history side: the reader is going to learn a lot about the Pacific campaign, the Occupation of Japan, Douglas MacArthur as General and as Supreme Commander, and General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Tiger of Malaysia. About twenty years ago I had heard this rarely told story from a friend, Cap't Milton Sandberg, who played a part in the trial of Yamashita as one of the defense counsel. I can report that James Webb's account of the trial and what appeared to be MacArthur's motives follows what Milton Sandberg told me. This is a side of MacArthur that teaches the reader a lot about leadership and powerful authority.

Jim Webb has weaved a fascinating novel around the real history of the Japanese occupation, MacArthur's brilliance, his vanity, weaknesses, palace intrigues, and within it all gives us a love story that deals with ethics and morals and touches the heart. But the greatest gift that Webb delivers in this book is to return honor to Japannese General Yamishita, The Tiger of Malaya, whose "murder" by a MacArthur controlled kangaroo court has laid in the backwash of American history for 50 years. This story alone is worth the price and the time to read it. The Emperor's General should be required reading in every high school in America and in every law school ethics course. The story told is outstanding. And Jim Webb's Marine's sense of Honor is at the root.

Ray L. Walker

You know who you are. Probably a Marine officer possessing some seemingly-solid bond with the author. Maybe an Army officer or cadet, with a mild interest in MacArthur or WWII. An idealistic young History major from an above-average school thinking you could become a member of the Diplomatic Corps. Maybe an urbane young Asian-American with a yearn for deeper knowledge of your past. Regardless, this is a must read for all of you. Webb possesses the gift to create strong prose intertwined with reality. You will be saddened, intrigued, and confused. You realize first hand that simpler wars ended upon completion of WWII.

Was Back Track Mac a genius? Was he complex? Yes. Douglas may have been our greatest military mind ever, but this novel tells you why he may have been our most misunderstood. Although Webb caveats this as a work of fiction, there are few historical errors in it.

The beauty of the novel leaves you with your interest level to determine who really won. Honor, love, and diplomacy are weaved together to create a fine historical cloth. In typical Webb fashion, he begins and ends in the present, and the majority of the novel rests in the past. A somewhat tired format for him, but required nonetheless.

This should be on every first-year law school, the Commandant's, the SecState's, and the Army's mandatory reading list. You will not be disappointed. You may even become an Ambassador or General someday.

I found myself rivetted, absorbed page after page, chapter after chapter of this deeply satisfying underbelly view of great men, great cultures, great deceit & gullibility. As a naive ADC, Jay Marsh basked in the reflected glory of MacArthur's return to the Philippines & his rule over Japan. Old Jay Marsh is back in Manila to remember & atone for his cowardice when that war-torn world of treachery & arrogance opened before his young eyes. An amazing vision of the Pacific Theater recoupment is this fictional memoir of America's advance on Japan & the ensuing peacetime transformation. Splendid read!...

Jay Marsh is a young, idealistic, Army Captain who has been assigned to Douglas McArthur's staff. We follow him from the time of McArthur's return to liberate the Phillipines in early 1945 and through the beginning of the peacetime Japanese occupation. Jay is privy to all of McArthur's inside politics and in-fighting, and in the beginning he finds it heady stuff. However Jay finds that the power he weilds in McArthur's name soon disillusion him and threaten to ruin his future with his beautiful Filipina fiancee.

Mr. Webb is an excellent writer. His sense of place is very strong and he easily convinces us we're right there as the battle for Leyte is being fought. It's also obvious he knows Japanese culture. The historical background seems to be very well done. If he's taken liberties with history I'm not aware of it. If you like historical fiction, especially as it applies to WWII I'd recommend this book. It will give you insights into an era that's usually not covered in great detail. It's also an entertaining story.