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Kenneth G. Henshall

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A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower 3rd ed. 2012 Edition

by K. Henshall (Author)

4.2 118 ratings

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In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japan's progress through its entire history to its current status as an economic, technological, and cultural superpower. A key factor is a pragmatic determination to succeed. Little-known facts are also brought to light, and the latest findings used.

ISBN-10

0230346618
ISBN-13

978-0230346611
Edition

3rd ed. 2012
Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date

April 17, 2012
Language

English
Dimensions

8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
Print length

302 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'One of the most important books in Japanese Studies in recent years.' - Ken Coates, Professor of History, University of New Brunswick, Canada

'In making the history of this remarkable society accessible to a wider public Professor Henshall has performed a most valuable service.' - Derek Massarella, Professor of Economic History, Chuo University, Japan

'An extraordinary book that will appeal to student, specialist, and general reader alike.' - Laurie Barber, Professor of History, University of Waikato, NewZealand

About the Author

KENNETH HENSHALL was born in England and is professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has published on a range of Japan-related topics such as history, society, language, and literature, and is author of the best-selling etymological work Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Palgrave Macmillan; 3rd ed. 2012 edition (April 17, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0230346618
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0230346611
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #7,593,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,586 in Japanese History (Books)
- #13,177 in Asian Politics
- #30,534 in History & Theory of Politics

Customer Reviews:
4.2 118 ratings

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Kenneth G. Henshall

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Kenneth G. Henshall is a graduate of the universities of London (B.A.), Sydney (PhD), and Adelaide (Dip. Ed.), and is now a professor of Japanese at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He has also taught at the universities of Auckland, Western Australia, California and Waikato. He is well-known for his translations of literature and history books, and is the author of A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters.

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4.2 out of 5

118 global ratings

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Gaston

A MOST INFORMATIVE, QUITE UNIQUE AND SPECIAL, DOCUMENT.

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2013

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The book is a rarely found compendium of an unusual number of facts about a very different people in the array of homo sapiens of the days. The book offers an amazing lot of information regarding the development of a remarkable society of people with superior like abilities to winningly deal with the challenges of modern society in a constantly progressive way, irrespective of the hardships of life. There is much to read about the Asiatic ways and means, especially their way to adapt to life in a restricted space of land yet while being somewhat overpopulated. The manner in which they deal with the complex facts of their antropology and etchnography is, indeed, quite remarkable. There is also a good lot of local geography to learn and their ways of winnings warfare are quite special. By and large,the book is very interesting, while it addresses a myriad of facts about a wayward land which are not common to the Americas daily academic exposures. It is in fact most educational as a historical document yet suited to leasurely and rewarding readings while learning in several areas of human life in the Pacific Ocean.

2 people found this helpful

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wjhnyc

Informative and Illuminating

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2016

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A very good history if one is headed to Japan and an informative context for viewing Japanese art which were my reasons for picking it up.

I enjoyed reading this compelling and well-written book very much. Japan's history is long, rich and fascinating.

Yet, while I continuously reminded myself that individualism is a Western concept, I still found it difficult ultimately to come to terms with a culture that does not venerate and celebrate individual human spirit for its potential, creativity, intellect and achievement. Not unusual when traveling outside the West.

As a result of this lack (to my thinking, a profoundly serious cultural deficiency) Japan’s history, from its beginnings to contemporary times, is one that is filled with many dark corners which came as no surprise despite its remarkable achievements throughout its history and up to today as a superpower.

I found the author's summaries at the end of each chapter very helpful. This is a thoughtful, highly objective, well-crafted and sympathetic portrayal of Japan's history on the part of the author.

4 people found this helpful

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Richard Carlson

nice summary

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016

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This short history of Japan offers some real insights into pre-war and post war Japan. Most surprising to most Americans was the effectiveness of the pre war oil embargo. MIT really was effective, but backing your enemy into a corner without imaging they might strke back was less than brilliant. Great summary, worth read

3 people found this helpful

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Boulder Buyer

Ok history

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2014

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I enjoyed this book, I learned a lot, especially about ancient Japan. I would have liked more about pre-Tokugawa Japan, but this was a good introduction. I think the section about post war Japan, up until present day, was not as well written or well edited, and had much too much opinion compared to its factual content. I probably would have stopped with the early Meiji period.

11 people found this helpful

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P. Tanca

Good snapshot of Japan...but

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2012

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I found this book a useful "snapshot" of the Japanese history. Chapters are split based on a historical timeline from pre-historical to contemporary Japan. Reference and notes are included at the end of the book which I find useful for those who want to do further research on a particular time period of historical character while not distracting the reader.
On the other hand and as a matter of suggestion for improvements of future editions:
- Maps of Japan through the different historical epochs would be much appreciate by the reader
- The general summary at the end of each chapter do not add any value to the reading (however the general summary at the end of the book is worth including).
- The reader may found him/her self lost in too many historical names provided. Why not include a genealogical tree or an emperors/shogun timeline?

37 people found this helpful

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handysam

A very readable and scholarly book.

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2017

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I found this book to be concise, readable and informative. It gives perspective on the psyche of the Japanese people and the development of it's current status as an economic superpower. A great read for anyone interested in Japan.

5 people found this helpful

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BBMC

but it seemed to have a nice balance between the ancient history and the modern history

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015

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This is the only Japanese history book I have read, but it seemed to have a nice balance between the ancient history and the modern history. The end had many statistics in it which would be interesting if doing research. A good overview for someone new to this history.

One person found this helpful

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Heather Salmon

An excellent, balanced

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016

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An excellent, balanced, unbiased, well-researched, thorough but very readable introduction to the social, political and economic evolution of Japan. A must read for all serious travellers to this fascinating country.

2 people found this helpful

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Jonny Mar

Um pouco desapontado. Procurarei outro livro.

Reviewed in Brazil on June 26, 2019

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Estava à procura de um livro introdutório sobre a história japonesa e achei que este livro poderia ser uma boa alternativa. A leitura da primeira metade da obra, que disserta até a Revolução Meiji, foi satisfatória. No geral, posso afirmar que, nessa parte, ele supriu o que eu esperava - uma abordagem básica. Já a segunda metade do livro, que, basicamente, trata do século 20 até hoje, peca por não ter abordagem objetiva. O autor parece que tem algum cisma, pois há muita crítica e negatividade em relação ao país. Esta metade do livro é escrita de modo subjetivo com muita opinião e pouca ciência. Por exemplo, o Japão tem um crescimento econômico fantástico depois da 2a Guerra Mundial, mas ele foca nos efeitos da poluição que este crescimento ocasionou. Os políticos, do modo como descreveu, parecem que são todos corruptos. Ele chega ao ponto de afirmar que os japoneses vivem como se fossem moradores de país de Terceiro Mundo. Claro que ele esquece que o país é formado por 70% de montanhas. Não sei bem em que tipo de mansão o autor esperava que 120 milhões de pessoas, em espaço tão exíguo, residissem. Da minha parte, acredito que o autor fugiu da ciência e da pesquisa e passou a construir uma narrativa de opinião pessoal. Duas estrelas pela primeira metade do livro.

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Poppa

Very fast service.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2015

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A wonderful work of wonder!

One person found this helpful

Buster

a history of japan

Reviewed in Italy on June 30, 2014

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Una discreta introduzione alla storia del giappone. Adatto a chi cerca di farsi un'idea di massima della storia di questo paese. Non adatto per chi cerca un'opera approfondita ed enciclopedica. Attenzione è in inglese.

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Honest John

The right level of detail

Reviewed in Australia on February 23, 2015

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Straight forward easy to follow account of Japanese history. Worth a read of a complex culture and history

AlexG81

Nice

Reviewed in Japan on May 12, 2013

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Very nice book relating the history of Japan; it is quite a good general introduction

2 people found this helpful

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