At the end of a long and distinguished career, Jansen has produced
what is sure to become the standard narrative history of modern
Japan, a cornucopia of information, explanation, interpretation,
and careful reflection about the historical development of
Japan...Jansen tells his story gracefully and with remarkable
thoroughness, and enlivens it with ample detail and engaging
anecdotes; personalities of the leading figures stand forth boldly
and memorably. While unmistakably his own, Jansen's account makes
room for the views and voices of countless other scholars of Japan
(even those with whom he disagrees), giving it the impact of a
consensus narrative setting forth the full spectrum of opinion on
Japan among scholars both in Japan and elsewhere. In every way this
is a remarkable book. Without doubt it will create its own
exclusive niche in the literature, and no reference collection on
Japan can pretend to be complete without it.--C. L. Yates"Choice"
(04/01/2001)
Despite our deep national involvement with the Japanese people
since the end of World War II, this still frustratingly insular
nation remains a puzzle for Americans and other
westerners...[Jansen] strives valiantly to explain the foundations
of modern Japanese history and culture in this richly detailed,
smooth-flowing narrative of the past four centuries of Japanese
development...A greatly rewarding examination of an admirable but
enigmatic and ancient land."--Jay Freeman"Booklist"
(10/15/2000)
For answers to...questions about modern Japan, there can be few
better guides than Marius Jansen's splendid new history. The
product of more than 50 years' study, this book combines grand
sweep with vivid and telling anecdote. It is also admirably
balanced. While Jansen's affection for Japan is clear ('a gifted,
resourceful and courageous nation'), he is scathing in his
judgement of the arrogance and ruthlessness of some of its
leaders.--Geoffrey Owen"Sunday Telegraph" (01/14/2001)
Jansen gives equal weight to consistency and change, and against a
background of deep tradition he focuses on three moments of
wrenching upheaval: the Tokugawa shogunate, the Meiji restoration,
and the American occupation after the second world war...Jansen
provides a sense of significant voices--those of writers as well as
politicians and industrialists. It's hard to imagine a more
wide-sweeping study.--Jan Dalley"Financial Times" (05/05/2001)
Jansen's view of modern Japanese history has two particular merits.
He refuses to see Japan in isolation, as a kind of sealed-off
island of uniqueness...Indeed, he argues that political
developments in Japan were almost always responses to events
outside: Perry's ships, Western colonialism, Russian and later
Soviet expansion, the world stock market crash of 1929 and so on.
He also goes out of his way to show how liberalism in Japan always
had a chance. Authoritarianism and war were never inevitable
consequences of some deep Japanese warrior instinct; when given the
opportunity, the Japanese, like the rest of us, want to be free and
live in peace.--Ian Buruman"Los Angeles Times Book Review"
(11/19/2000)
Now in a magisterial book that's also highly readable, Marius
Jansen has told the story of Meiji and with it the creation of
modern Japan...Jansen takes the reader by the hand to show what
happened and why in those intense, formative years. A master of his
craft, he allows the Meiji reformers, their opponents and foreign
observers of that day to tell the story. He also gives credit to
the views of contemporary historians, both Japanese and Westerners,
who have handled the subject...The capstone of Jansen's work as
America's foremost historian of Japan, this book will long be must
reading for students. But the author's relaxed style, his eye for
people and the clarity and patience of his explanations should
appeal to any thoughtful reader.--Frank Gibney"Washington Post Book
World" (12/10/2000)
This definitive historical companion is clear, simple and thorough,
from what was decided at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600--life for
the next 253 years, more or less--to the grey demographics and
economics of now.--Vera Rule"The Guardian (UK)" (04/26/2003)
Words that spring to mind are "magisterial", "elegant",
"absorbing", and "essential"...Political military narrative is
complemented by sketches of personalities, the arts, and society,
with judicious assessments of controversies in historical
interpretation and generous references to further reading. All in
all, it would be hard to find a better general volume.--Charles W.
Hayford "Library Journal "
This magisterial work has all the details one would want in a
reference work, but the mature reflections of a lifelong Japan
scholar at Princeton make it a pleasure to read...At every turn,
Jansen looks behind the political stage to examine cultural and
social developments. He avoids abstract theorizing by recounting
the experiences of specific Japanese individuals, giving the story
a strong human dimension.
Words that spring to mind are "magisterial," "elegant,"
"absorbing," and "essential,.".Political military narrative is
complemented by sketches of personalities, the arts, and society,
with judicious assessments of controversies in historical
interpretation and generous references to further reading. All in
all, it would be hard to find a better general volume. -- Charles
W. Hayford "Library Journal"
Words that spring to mind are magisterial, elegant, absorbing, and
essential ...Political military narrative is complemented by
sketches of personalities, the arts, and society, with judicious
assessments of controversies in historical interpretation and
generous references to further reading. All in all, it would be
hard to find a better general volume.
A tremendous history of the upheavals that transformed Japan into
the world's most successful of non-Western countries. Jansen shows
how the country at first reluctantly, and then enthusiastically,
benefited from the changes of the modern era...Jansen weaves social
and political history together while narrating this course of
events...A master work that will prove to be the definitive history
of a dynamic society.
Jansen conducts his readers through the labyrinthine path taken by
Japan over the last 400 years...For Westerners the most fascinating
aspect of this monumental work will be Japan's always uneasy,
sometimes violent relationship with the outside world...Besides
politics, he ventures into economics, military affairs, literature,
education, social organization and both high and popular culture.
Ask a Question About this Product More... |