Customer Reviews

The History of Japan (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful book on the history of Japan. When I looked at this book, it was because I was looking for a history of Japan (I love studying it), but I didn't want anything huge or too dry (though a little bit of that is to be expected in nearly any history book). So I picked up this volume, and was surprisingly pleased. This version of Japan's history is fairly conscise (only a couple hundred pages), and yet manages to give a pretty detailed rundown of the history. There are larger, even more detailed books on Japan's history (READ: George Samson), but this a wonderful, wonderful primer if you want to have a basic understanding of Japanese history. It goes all the way from ancient days (the Ainu and the migration of today's Japanese into Japan) up to post-World War II and present day. The book is also fairly current (only two or three years old). If you're looking for an history which will provide you with a comprehension of Japanese history in fairly short order, buy this book. Also handy as a reference for people studying Japan. ~

I'm researching Japan for a business project in school. Had I not read a certain quote I will cite later in this review I would have given this book a 5 star with no question. This book is an easy read, it's informative, it's exciting, and it's a history book that kept me interested. Most of us are aware that history books omit or distort real history. I found myself confirming if the history in this book is true. I tend to think that the history in here is the real one, but the author's motives should be taken with a grain of salt.

Especially having read the following, "Feudalism, misogyny, national seclusion, religious persecution, philosophical intolerance, and social bigotry are only the top of a long list of social, political, and economic ills perpetuated by a repressive military aristocracy. But too often we have also criticized this era for what it was not. It was not "modern"; it was not democratic; it was not universal in its thinking; it was not Western; it was not Christian; in short, it was not like whatever ultimate social goal good people aspire to." (71)

Clearly, this is an opinionated perspective on Japan before the 1700's and it's a blatant one. It's unfortunate that the author published his personal opinion in a beautiful book. I lost a lot of respect for the author after reading that, but I did learn a lot about the history of Japan by reading this book.

Book arrived quickly. I paid a few more dollars than I could have paid at the on-campus bookstore, but it was worth it for the convenience.