My Life Between Japan and America [Hardcover]

Edwin O. Reischauer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Reischauer, one of America's best-known Japan scholars, provides a personal perspective on his education, military service, academic career at Harvard, public speaking, and years as ambassador to Japan. His book is less insightful and informative than John K. Fairbank's Chinabound ( LJ 1/1/82): Reischauer could have, for example, told us more about his feelings toward Japan in World War II, his changing attitudes regarding the Vietnam War, and many of the notable persons named in passing. The two books do complement each other, however, in tracing the development of East Asian studies in the United States, and they add to our understanding of U.S.-East Asian relations. Illustrations not seen. Recommended for most collections. Kenneth W. Berger, Duke Univ. Lib., Durham, N.C.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 367 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (August 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060390549
• ISBN-13: 978-0060390549
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible insight into a man helped shape modern Japan, April 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: My Life Between Japan and America (Hardcover)

In contrast to another reviewer's comments, the Title is "MY Life Between Japan and America" and should not be construed as a definitive text on history or culture.

Having read of Mr. Reischauer's experiences in his upbringing and adult life, it offers a glimpse of what one individual can achieve within a lifetime. The book also recalls an earlier period of Japan, it's traditions and culture (both good and bad) which has shaped Japan into the modern culture of today. The book is overwhelmingly "his" story and should be considered as an Autobiography, but an incredible read (in my opinion) for any serious Japan-ophile.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An informative autobiography from an expert on Japan, December 27, 1998

By 

Chad Guisinger ([e-mail]) (Auburn, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life Between Japan and America (Hardcover)

Even though this book is out of print, I was lucky enough to find a copy in a bookstore in Sapporo, Japan. Anyone who has lived in Japan or has an interest in Japanese culture will enjoy Mr. Reischauer's autobiography. I wish I could have met him in person.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars In part explains Reischauer's sugar-coating of things Japan, October 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: My Life Between Japan and America (Hardcover)

When I was in college, majoring in Asian Studies, we quite often used Reischauer's version of Japanese history and society. Of course now, much of what he wrote has been exposed as inaccurate and misleading. The question is why? This book provide some clues. It details Reischauer's life as a student and scholar as well as ambassador to Japan. What one begins to see from this book is that Reischauer never actually lived among the Japanese, but was always isolated in some elite "gaijin" enclave, whether as a student at the American School of as ambassador. His second wife, a member of the Japanese elite, grew up for the most part in, and was educated in the US. Perhaps this can explain in part his view of Japan--contact with and knowledge of the upper crust of the country and little or no real knowledge of the Japan in which the Japanese live. Even though he was quite far left in his political views, he was very anti-Marxist, which again, colored his views on Japan. This book gives an insight into Reischauer's thoughts and life and for that reason is of value to people who have an interest in Japan and they way Japan was portrayed from the end of WW2 to the mid to late 1980s.