Rising Sun (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

Got an old book but a good one I just re-read. "The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire" by John Toland. Done in 1970 by Random House. Widely available in paperback. If you are interested in Japan of WW2 this book is a "can't miss" for you. It follows Japanese fortunes from 1936 to the end of WW2 and is very informative on causes and motivations of Japanese militarism and the path to war. The book covers all aspects of the war, not just military ones in it's over 1000 pages. I found the fight for Guadalcanal to be very well done. This book won't let you down for an over-all view of the Pacific War from the Japanese viewpoint. -- lancer

 

[Deitz]

My father has this book, I will take alook at next time I am at the folks house.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Got an old book but a good one I just re-read. "The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire" by John Toland. Done in 1970 by Random House. Widely available in paperback. If you are interested in Japan of WW2 this book is a "can't miss" for you. It follows Japanese fortunes from 1936 to the end of WW2 and is very informative on causes and motivations of Japanese militarism and the path to war. The book covers all aspects of the war, not just military ones in it's over 1000 pages. I found the fight for Guadalcanal to be very well done. This book won't let you down for an over-all view of the Pacific War from the Japanese viewpoint. -- lancer

Thanks for the heads-up. I ought to get it through Amazon and if not, one of the specialist military bookshops on-line. I do like to look at these conflicts from all point of views not just perceived wisdom, as I've found that it's actually a contradiction in terms. In other words I'll make my own mind up.

Regards
Harry

 

[jazzeum]

Another book I recommend is Ronald Spector's Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan.

 

[lancer]

Another book I recommend is Ronald Spector's Eagle Against the Sun: The American War with Japan.

That is a good book, Brad. Another one I should mention is "War Without Mercy". I do not have the author or dates published at hand but it is worth finding as it's main theme is the racism that dominated the Pacific War. -- Al

 

[UKReb]

I read this many years ago and half enjoyed it-because at the time I remember it being a little too pro-Japanese depicting a peace loving Hirohito continually being frustrated by arrogant American Leaders-I suppose as a younger man then having being weaned on good guys-bad guys in WWII it did not sit easy with me-I think I need to read it again and reassess it.

However, and as an aside, I thought Toland's other Pacific book Infamy: Pearl Harbor and it's Aftermath was a magnificent read.

Reb

 

[lancer]

I read this many years ago and half enjoyed it-because at the time I remember it being a little too pro-Japanese depicting a peace loving Hirohito continually being frustrated by arrogant American Leaders-I suppose as a younger man then having being weaned on good guys-bad guys in WWII it did not sit easy with me-I think I need to read it again and reassess it.

However, and as an aside, I thought Toland's other Pacific book Infamy: Pearl Harbor and it's Aftermath was a magnificent read.

Reb

You are right Reb. Toland is sympathetic to the Japanese but all authors have view points and/or agendas. The book is an important ground breaking work, though. It was, and still is, a good read on a difficult subject. -- Al

 

[bromhead]

That is a good book, Brad. Another one I should mention is "War Without Mercy". I do not have the author or dates published at hand but it is worth finding as it's main theme is the racism that dominated the Pacific War. -- Al

Agreed,war without mercy shows both sides in detail,,posters, photos etc. My copy is in another location but I believe published in the 80s,also belive it is out of print. I have always enjoyed "But not in shame" the six months after Pearl harbor,,very concise history of the events by Toland

 

[Harrytheheid]

That is a good book, Brad. Another one I should mention is "War Without Mercy". I do not have the author or dates published at hand but it is worth finding as it's main theme is the racism that dominated the Pacific War. -- Al

We would be burying our heads in the sand if we were even to attempt to deny that racism dominated WWII in Asia/Pacific.

I read this many years ago and half enjoyed it-because at the time I remember it being a little too pro-Japanese depicting a peace loving Hirohito continually being frustrated by arrogant American Leaders-I suppose as a younger man then having being weaned on good guys-bad guys in WWII it did not sit easy with me-I think I need to read it again and reassess it.

However, and as an aside, I thought Toland's other Pacific book Infamy: Pearl Harbor and it's Aftermath was a magnificent read.

Reb

I agree Reb. In my younger years and probably right up until recently, my point of view was one of hatred towards the bad guys. It's not until you take a step back and try to see the world from where the bad guys were sitting that you begin to see that it wasn't all black & white during WWII, but just a vast shade of grey.
In any conflict that's occurred throughout history, there werre good guys and bad guys - on both sides.

Just my humble opinions of course.

Regards
Harry