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lucifer_the_cat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
jolierice99's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for a big reproach paper I just finished, and it was super helpful and a really read, even though I have to buy it now because I accidentally took notes in the margins and it's a library book. I'll definitely read it again now that I have to buy it, but really awesome and concise for those looking for an all-in-one history of Japan.
fisumlucas's review against another edition
4.0
Muito bom (dito por um amigo que estudou história do Japão) sumário da história do Japão. O texto está muito bem referenciado, inclusive não poucas vezes com fontes que discordam entre si (em assuntos que não consensuais). Também, está bem escrito, como se fosse uma narrativa. A conclusão é um bocado nhe, um pouco por bias pessoal, mas também porque não consegue manter um único tom.
bellatora's review against another edition
3.0
A good place to start if you're interested in Japanese history. The focus on 20th century history is obvious, given that it takes up more than half the book. As someone who is not a fan of 20th century history (for any country), I'm not enthused and wished he'd spent more time on earlier periods. I did like the first 70 pages, which covers up to the end of the Tokugawa Period (1868). I also liked the summarizations at the end of each chapter. If I wasn't particularly interested in a given chapter, I could just read the end summary and get all the important information there (plus, it's good for future refrence).
Also, since it's so slim, there obviously can't be too much depth into daily life of Japan and the focus is more on important names/dates/wars/trends/etc. While this is understandable, I do miss the interesting anecdotes and ability to make history "come alive" that I get from my favorite history books.
Its focus on the 20th century and its necessarily cut-and-dry text is what gives it three stars instead of four, but for what it is (a brief overview of Japanese history), it's very good. I feel like I've now got a decent foundation for future readings on Japanese history.
Also, since it's so slim, there obviously can't be too much depth into daily life of Japan and the focus is more on important names/dates/wars/trends/etc. While this is understandable, I do miss the interesting anecdotes and ability to make history "come alive" that I get from my favorite history books.
Its focus on the 20th century and its necessarily cut-and-dry text is what gives it three stars instead of four, but for what it is (a brief overview of Japanese history), it's very good. I feel like I've now got a decent foundation for future readings on Japanese history.
lumie's review
I stopped reading this somewhen in 2013 or something and at this point in time it's not something I want to be immersed in but I may get back into this eventually.
ellas_journey's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
I started this book with high expectations. As someone who love Japan and loves studying the history of the asian countries this books sound like a perfect match.
This book starts as a historical book to a political book. I get that the history of the country his half politics, but that turns the book into a hard to read one.
Even so, I learned a lot and know I understand some of the basic things that makes the Japanese people the way they are.
I started this book with high expectations. As someone who love Japan and loves studying the history of the asian countries this books sound like a perfect match.
This book starts as a historical book to a political book. I get that the history of the country his half politics, but that turns the book into a hard to read one.
Even so, I learned a lot and know I understand some of the basic things that makes the Japanese people the way they are.
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