Schizophrenic in Japan: An American Ex-Pat's Guide to Japanese and American Society/Politics & Humor [Paperback]

Mike Rogers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2005

“Mike Rogers is a one-man United Nations. With a wickedly astute sense of humor he successfully cross-pollinates two seemingly divergent worlds with daring insight and aplomb. He’s a fearless David in a land of Goliaths; his perfectly aimed slings and arrows hit the bullseye every time.”—Pamela DesBarres, author of I’m With The Band, Rock Bottom, and Let’s Spend the Night Together

“American ambassadors are enforcers of the imperial will rather than negotiators of peace and friendship. Thank goodness those of us who love freedom have our own ambassador to Japan, Mike Rogers. With great humor and knowledge, as well as a good heart, Mike in Tokyo helps us understand a little about that great nation, and U.S. relations with it. He deserves the anarchists’ Nobel.”—Lew Rockwell, www.LewRockwell.com

“Social commentary seldom surprises experienced readers. Once we figure out the writer’s allegiance to some faction, we can predict what the writer is going to say. Not so with this writer.”—Robert Klassen, author of Atlantis, A Novel about Economic Government

Expatriate Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers shares his musings on a variety of topics from the war in Iraq to the differences between Japanese and American baseball to kamikaze taxi drivers. His witty and engaging style will have you laughing out loud as you explore his perceptions of the world through the lenses of two different cultures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers has worked in mass media for nearly thirty years. He moved to Tokyo in 1984, and, since 200l, he has been a humorist and TV producer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (May 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595346626
• ISBN-13: 978-0595346622
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,731,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made me think and made me laugh, May 30, 2005

By 

Rick Reynolds (Tampa, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schizophrenic in Japan: An American Ex-Pat's Guide to Japanese and American Society/Politics & Humor (Paperback)

This book is defined as a "Humor, Society, & Politics" so I was expecting a book that was just all making fun of politicians. But this book is not that way at all. While I did laugh through the entire second half of the book, the first part made me angry. Not at the writer, but he points out quite well, just how messed up America and American politics have become.

This is a great book for getting people who are not interested in politics to open their eyes as it is written with humor and wit. But, when you stop to think about how true what the writer has written is, it might just make you upset. I couldn't put the book down and bought one for my on-the-fence leaning right wing sister. It is definitely a roller-coaster read. Very funny too, when he wants to be. Dead serious at times too.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That's about as close as actually going there, June 1, 2005

By 

Sarah Laughlin in Arizona (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schizophrenic in Japan: An American Ex-Pat's Guide to Japanese and American Society/Politics & Humor (Paperback)

I lived in Kobe, Japan in the early 90's for 3 1/2 years. I've read many books about Japan and have always been left feeling unsatisfied. This book, though, made me feel the closest to actually being there again.

Japan is a strange place and it's impossible for anyone to write about everything in one book. It just can't be done. This book gives you snapshots of life in Japan and I found that to be quite refreshing. It seems to me, that that is about the only way to get an idea of what's going on there besides actually going yourself.

This book is pretty funny and sometimes outrageously funny. Other times, though, when the writer complains about the USA, it can make you feel uncomfortable. Especially if you don't like what's going on in the American political process.

This is definitely an anti-war book as well as a humor book about Japan. There doesn't seem to be any particular order in the chapters, but that's okay as each stands on it's own merit - and, if you've ever been to Japan, you'd understand that it seems that there's no particular order of anything in Nippon.

I would give this book a 4 & 1/2 stars but they don't have 1/2's. A great book for reading when you only have a short time to spare.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This guy can write!, July 19, 2005

By 

Steven Marcal Jr. (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schizophrenic in Japan: An American Ex-Pat's Guide to Japanese and American Society/Politics & Humor (Paperback)

I don't understand what in the world the previous review was ranting about, so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in. I have read that Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers' writings were "The funniest thing I've read since Mark Twain." (I can't remember who said that...) And I've also read where reviewers thought that this book was brilliant and the reviewer was raving about Mike (in Tokyo)'s talent. One guy said, "The writer showed rarely seen talent along the likes of Ernest Hemingway."

I am a book worm. I read at least 5 books a week - mostly novels. And I must say that this book is one of the best humourous political and cultural books I've read in years, perhaps the best one I've read in my entire life.

How anyone can complain about the writing in this book is beyond me. You may not agree with his ideas, but he's not in your face and he certainly comes off like a gentleman. Something that certainly cannot be said about the previous reviewer.

I'd give this book 10 + stars. This is some extremely witty and funny - yet heartfelt prose. I'm expecting this writer to become hugely famous one day. Sometimes nice guys do finish first.

Schizophrenic in Japan is one of the best books I've read this year, and like I said, I read a lot. Bravo to Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers for a fantastic debut work.