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Hirohito: Behind the Myth Hardcover – September 30, 1989

by Edward Behr (Author)

4.7 11 ratings

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A revisionist portrait of Japan's late emperor traces Hirohito's life from birth to death and discusses his involvement in World War II, arguing that Hirohito played a key role in the conflict and that he should have been tried as a war criminal.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Along with Hitler and Mussolini, he was one of the "three most hated men" of WW II, but Emperor Hirohito of Japan became an internationally respected figure during his 63-year reign, which ended with his death in early 1989. Armed with new evidence, however, Behr ( The Last Emperor ) convincingly argues that Hirohito, far from being an innocent tool of the Japanese military, actually sanctioned military expansionism in the 1930s; did little to reverse a tendency toward battlefield confrontation with the U.S.; was fully informed of preparations for the attack on Pearl Harbor; and, in fact, presided over the war to the end. Describing how the Emperor later extricated himself from responsibility for the wartime deaths of millions, Behr concludes that Hirohito was "without doubt the ultimate survivor of all time." And, suggests the author, he set an example of slippery diplomacy that continues to reverberate: Japanese teachers, according to Behr, continue to relate to students a version of military events that characterizes their country as blameless victims of WW II. Photos.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The late emperor Hirohito has been the subject of several biographies, notably David Bergamini's Japan's Imperial Conspiracy (LJ 12/15/71) and Leonard Mosley's Hirohito: Emperor of Japan (LJ 6/15/66). The life and times of Hirohito remain controversial, however, and there is ample need for an ongoing reassessment by responsible writers. Behr, a Newsweek correspondent, presents a well-researched (though in English-language sources only) study that provides a fascinating and probing look at the life of the 20th century's longest-reigning monarch. Behr argues that a generation of Hirohito apologists have propagated the notion that Hirohito was a "peace-loving puppet" who didn't know what his generals and ministers were up to in the 1930s and 1940s; Behr's intention is to "restore the balance." The result, however, is not "balance" but a lawyer's brief for the prosecution.
- John Boyle, California State Univ., Chico
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Villard; First Edition (September 30, 1989)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 437 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0394580729
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0394580722
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.95 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,153,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17,730 in Political Leader Biographies

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4.7 11 ratings

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DAC

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2015

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interesting book used for daughters research paper

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Anton Karidian

finally someone with the balls to label Hirohito correctly....war criminal.

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2011

What bugs me about this Hirohito scum is that he was fully aware and in most cases authorized atrocities committed towards civilians. e.g. Rape of Nanking, comfort women, biological experiments. Oh...he also okayed the SNEAK attack on Pearl Harbour.

4 people found this helpful

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Nathan

Mind Numbing

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2001

I must start off by saying that when I first read this book I had very little knowledge of Hirohito or his involvement in WWII. However, after reading Behind the Myth, as well as learning a bit more, I now feel safe saying that the book is quite good, if not a little flawed. In all fairness the author was doing what was unheard of at the time the book was written, and that call just dead emperor of Japan a criminal of war. He made some rather broad generalizations and assumptions, but he managed to plant the seed of doubt in my mind. Granted, if you want to convince someone that Hirohito was guilty of starting the war, or that he should have even been tried, this book won't provide you with that information, however it is a good start. He won't convince you, but he will numb your mind and make it ready to accept the possibility.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Hirohito NOT a war criminal!!!

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2001

I feel this is a good and educational book, yet I consider it somewhat flawed. The entire theme of the book is the author's contention that Hirohito is a war criminal, but after reading the book I feel that Hirohito is NOT a war criminal. It is amazing that the author spent 400 pages with the biased intent to convince the reader of Hirohito's war criminality, yet I felt the polar opposite after finishing the book.
Basically what I took from the book was that Hirohito was a skinny, little man who was a powerless puppet of the pro-war military and political factions. Simply, Hirohito reminded me of the Mr. Carlson character on the sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati, a clueless figurehead who simply sat back a let others run the show.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal and I recommend it. I simply found that the author unwittingly disproved his initial contention by the time I finished the book.

4 people found this helpful

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cooch

A look inside Japanesse tradition

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 1999

A great look into the mentality of the leaders of Japan before, during, and after WWII. This unbiased well written book shows the depth of Japanesse tradition and how it influenced the actions of an entire country. Behr gives enough information on supporting characters, but not enough to confuse the reader. An overall great book.

6 people found this helpful

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lordhoot

Not exactly clear

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2003

I am not exactly sure what Edward Behr is trying to say in this biography of Emperor Hirohito. From my perception, he seem to be saying that Hirohito is gulity of war crimes but not responsible for them. I think I get the feeling that Behr himself may not be sure. One of the earlier reviews which compared Hirohito with "Mr. Carlson from WKRP" seem to be a very good analogy. I don't think Hirohito was that clueless but his influence wasn't all that great. I would recommended that new Pulitzer prize winning biography that came out several years ago. It has a more balance view on the man.

3 people found this helpful

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Polarlicht

Gut recherchiert Hirohito: Behind the myth

Reviewed in Germany on December 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Eine sehr wohl-fundierte historische Recherche über die Bedeutung der Rolle des japanischen Kaisers an
den Kriegen der japanischen Armeen, die in seinem Namen ein neues Asiatisches Reich gründen wollten.
Einziger Warnhinweis: Sie sollten schon gute Englische Sprachkenntnisse besitzen, um die Aussagen und Meinungen des gelernten Journallisten zu verstehen.
Gerade weil hier ein Nicht-Historiker dieses abwägende, realistische Auswerten von historischen Fakten vor sich nimmt, ist die Klarheit der Aussagen für den Geschichts-Liebhaber noch eindringlicher.
Da die Abhandlung in klar-definierte Kapitel sich aufteilt, ist der Rote Faden der Erzählung jederzeit erkennbar, die Seitenanzahl nicht zu gross, Fazit: Wenn jeder gelernte Historiker auch so vorgehen würde,
würden dann wohl noch mehr Menschen zur historischen Literatur greifen.
Das Buch liest sich so interessant, dass ich es kaum aus der Hand legen konnte.
Ein Standardwerk über Hirohito und seine Schuldfrage.
Kaufempfehlung: 5 Sterne.

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philip norris

An excellent reassesssment.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

An important biography of one of the twentieth century's most controversial figures.

DOC

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2017

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