“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.
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Book Description
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.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
This is a simply wonderful book that I have now read over twice and laughed (sometimes cried) both times through. This book was passed along to me by a professor at the university I work at and now the book is making the rounds in the office (I work in admissions) and I have been told that several of the teachers here have all read it too.
There hasn't been a single person working here who wasn't extremely impressed by this book and this young man's writing ability. He is engaging and very thought provoking. Sometimes his jokes can seem a bit difficult to understand as they are full of irony - very British-like in taste. But anyone with a funny bone and a decent education will catch the jokes after a few moments consideration.
When my husband finished the book, he handed it back to me and laughed, "This guy has some pretty wild humor" - That's a huge compliment as my husband is British and he hates American TV and American comedy shows.
The chapters are short and very readable. This is a terrific book for lunch breaks or just before bed as it will definitely set you in a good mood for the rest of the day or a good nights sleep.
Marvelous writing, intelligent humor; and very professional packaging and style. Just the entire "feel" of the book should be enticing to anyone who is into a book of wit that's also very informative too.
I just can't say enough about this wonderful book. This book should get some kind of award... It's that darned good.
There hasn't been a single person working here who wasn't extremely impressed by this book and this young man's writing ability. He is engaging and very thought provoking. Sometimes his jokes can seem a bit difficult to understand as they are full of irony - very British-like in taste. But anyone with a funny bone and a decent education will catch the jokes after a few moments consideration.
When my husband finished the book, he handed it back to me and laughed, "This guy has some pretty wild humor" - That's a huge compliment as my husband is British and he hates American TV and American comedy shows.
The chapters are short and very readable. This is a terrific book for lunch breaks or just before bed as it will definitely set you in a good mood for the rest of the day or a good nights sleep.
Marvelous writing, intelligent humor; and very professional packaging and style. Just the entire "feel" of the book should be enticing to anyone who is into a book of wit that's also very informative too.
I just can't say enough about this wonderful book. This book should get some kind of award... It's that darned good.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book if you are having trouble going to sleep.
I thought the book was a big waste of time. I found it at a garage sale and spent a whole twenty five cents on it..... I wasted a quarter!!!
p.s... Read more
p.s... Read more
Published 19 months ago by R. E. Jones Jr.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ok, but wanders someNtimes
This is not a guide to Japan or anything japanese related. It's an OK book, the author has a sometimes acid sense of humour but does a good job explaining his points of views. Read more
Published on February 8, 2010 by massalo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and well written
I found out about this book through [...] and purchased it to read while flying to China. Overall I found it to be a very entertaining, humorous and insightful. Read more
Published on December 3, 2009 by T. Brooks
1.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another self-glorified ex-pat
All I read was the foreward, but that was all I needed to read.
As one who's traved overseas over the last 25 years, and having lived in Europe, Asia, etc for months, or... Read more
As one who's traved overseas over the last 25 years, and having lived in Europe, Asia, etc for months, or... Read more
Published on March 26, 2009 by Davers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, entertaining and true
A collection valuable, though somewhat rambling essays. They are fun to read, profound and insightful, a definite five-star!
Published on November 26, 2006 by afonya
5.0 out of 5 stars
IF THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT CAN BE SAVED....
...then Mike Rogers will be part of what does it. Yes, yes, the book is somewhat haphazard and seems at time to be cobbled together [as it was somewhat] from a "blog" or "stream of... Read more
Published on June 2, 2006 by In Memory of W. G. Simms
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most prolific and best authors on the Internet today
Luce wrote: To the person who asked why so many reviews...is your point that the author wrote them himself? Read more
Published on February 6, 2006 by Karl Reiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
How Not To Be An Ugly American
For a variety of reasons America's image in the world community has suffered greatly. Anyone seriously interested in good international relations must take the advice of this work... Read more
Published on January 29, 2006 by Ladonna Harrison
1.0 out of 5 stars
Because he wrote them himself?
To the person who asked why so many reviews are the only review anyone did...plus have some bad spelling...is your point that the author wrote them himself? Read more
Published on January 15, 2006 by Luce
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the way this guy talks
I read this book before I went to Japan in August of this year and was so graciously treated to a night on the town by Mike himself. Read more
Published on December 25, 2005 by Lance Altmann
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