Tuttle Publishing Japan at War in the Pacific: The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire in Asia: 1868-1945

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"A lucid history of the rise and fall of militarism in Japan..." -- New York Journal of Books Japan at War in the Pacific recounts the dramatic story of Japan's transformation from a Samurai-led feudal society to a modern military-industrial empire in the space of a few decades--and the many wars it fought along the way. These culminated in an attempt by Japan's military leaders to create an Asia-Pacific empire which at its greatest extent rivaled the British Empire in scope and power. The battle for supremacy in the Pacific brought the Japanese to great heights but led ultimately to the nation's utter devastation at the end of World War II, culminating with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki--the only time such weapons have been used in warfare. In this book, author Jonathan Clements offers fascinating insights into: The wars that Japan fought during its rise to supremacy in the western Pacific, including the Russo-Japanese War, the seizure of Manchuria and war in China, and the Pacific theater of World War II. The many military actions undertaken by Imperial Japanese forces including the horrific "Rape of Nanjing," the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the decisive defeat at the Battle of Midway, the savage Battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and many more. The motivations and beliefs of Japan's leaders, as well as the policy decisions of a government dedicated to expansion which ultimately led to a complete dismantling of the nation's political and social order during the Allied Occupation. With over 75 photographs and maps, this book vividly recounts the brutal story of Japan's military conquests. Review: A History of Japanese Military Song Lyrics – Prose heavy, detail light. - The title “Japan at War in the Pacific: The Rise and Fall of an Empire, 1869-1945” is a misleading one. A more appropriate name might be “A History of Japanese Military Song Lyrics”. At the expense of detailed accounts of the military actions undertaken by the Japanese Army and Navy during its rise and fall, author Jonathan Clements repeatedly uses valuable space to list the lyrics of the militaristic songs used by the Japanese government to inspire its forces and brainwash its populace. Using song lyrics as cultural artefacts to illustrate the attitudes permeating Japanese popular culture at the time is a great way to highlight the changing moods of a nation. However, the frequency of use at the expense of substantial detail leaves this book feeling depthless and superficial. The inclusion of personal accounts from service personnel or civilians who lived through the various violent conflicts and extreme austerity lightly touched upon in this book would have added a greater level of depth and value. Without this, the contents is little more than a timeline of events punctuated with song lyrics to fill out space. It should also be noted by the publisher Tuttle, that this volume contains numerous obvious errors that have slipped by the editorial/proofreading team. A shame considering the usual high standards that set Tuttle apart from many other publishers. If you’re looking for a timeline of historical Japanese military events interspersed with lyrics and prose, but little detail, this is the ideal book for you. If you’re looking for something more in-depth and detail-rich concerning Japan's military efforts in the Pacific, I would consider other options. Review: An expanded look at imperial Japan - This book cover from the opening of Japan to its fall in the Second World War