Japan's Imperial Conspiracy [Hardcover]

David Bergamini (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (June 1971)
• Language: German
• ISBN-10: 0688019056
• ISBN-13: 978-0688019051
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,068,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pioneering Work That's Ragged But Right, April 24, 2005

By 

Chimonsho (Turtle Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japan's Imperial Conspiracy (Hardcover)

This revelatory work retains most of its value despite its age. David Bergamini's research on the seamy history of Japan's imperial family and household is hardly flawless, but it's massive enough that he substantially proves their culpability for much of the horror Japan inflicted on Asia since 1868. Critics rightly note some errors in using sources, and his argument is overstated. While Bergamini stresses the personal role of the Imperial family, structural/systemic elements of Japan's militarism and attitudes toward other peoples (not innate national character) deserve more attention. But earlier withering reviews also reflect scholarly disapproval of his lack of academic credentials---not to mention his assault on the conventional "wisdom," especially about Hirohito, one of history's greatest unpunished war criminals. This book deserves a new edition, but later studies benefit from access to recently available data. Sterling Seagrave offers similar journalistic accounts of the same era, and he has built a solid career by scourging modern Asia's corrupt authoritarians ("Soong Dynasty," "Marcos Dynasty," "Yamato Dynasty" & the recent, disturbing "Gold Warriors"). H. Bix, "Hirohito & the Making of Modern Japan" sets the current standard because he used material released after Hirohito's death, as well as American MAGIC intelligence. T. Yoshida, "The Making of 'The Rape of Nanking'" has recently covered the critiques of "JIC." Still, Bergamini deserves credit for interpretations of Japan's overall conduct of military and foreign policy largely upheld by later writers.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on background on Japan / WWII ever written., May 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Japan's Imperial Conspiracy (Hardcover)

This book deals with the Emperiors responsibility for Japan's aggression in Asia in the 1930's and '40's. Well researched and documented with footnotes. Easy to read. Should be back in print.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is peerless!!!, April 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Japan's Imperial Conspiracy (Hardcover)

This book is an amazing achievment and should be considered mandatory reading for persons interested in Japanese imperial, military, and political history from 1921 to 1945.