Jim Barrow's Blog
May 19, 2022
Dreaming of the Land of the Rising Sun? Start studying its history!
As you know, I've been doing a lot of work recently on Japan, a fantastic country that I've been to several times and that has always fascinated me.The culture, history, traditions, food and landscapes of this nation remain in the hearts of those who visit forever.
However, Japan's history is filled with events, often catastrophic and negative, that have shaped this proud people.
As you may know, I recently published two books: Ancient Japan: Japanese History From the Jomon Period to Early Modern Japan and Modern History of Japan: Japanese History From the Meiji Period to the Present.
Good news for you! I just released only on Amazon the bundle that includes both books, so you can have the entire history of Japan from the earliest times to the present day in one book!
If you haven't yet bought one or both of these books on Japan, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to get 2 books by purchasing the "Japanese History - 2 Books in 1: Ancient Japan and Modern History of Japan bundle.
However, Japan's history is filled with events, often catastrophic and negative, that have shaped this proud people.
As you may know, I recently published two books: Ancient Japan: Japanese History From the Jomon Period to Early Modern Japan and Modern History of Japan: Japanese History From the Meiji Period to the Present.
Good news for you! I just released only on Amazon the bundle that includes both books, so you can have the entire history of Japan from the earliest times to the present day in one book!
If you haven't yet bought one or both of these books on Japan, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to get 2 books by purchasing the "Japanese History - 2 Books in 1: Ancient Japan and Modern History of Japan bundle.
March 24, 2022
What fascinates us about Japanese culture?
After Ancient Japan, released a few weeks ago, it's time to continue the journey to discover the history of this wonderful land!
Japan's recent history is studded with events and transformations that have involved so much of the West: from the American occupation and the world wars (with key events such as Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) to the post-war economic miracle.
Think about it, even if we have never been interested in Japan and everything about it, it is very likely that somehow something Japanese is present in our lives.
In all households, first of all, there is some electronic device, an electrical appliance, a car or a motorcycle of Japanese manufacture. Do you have a camera? Almost impossible that it is not Japanese.
Also, almost all of us have grown up with at least one Japanese anime, manga or video game!
But what has allowed Japanese companies to become so dominant in certain industries?
How has Japanese society changed in the last century?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: " Modern History of Japan: Japanese History From the Meiji Period to the Present ", where in addition to the history of Japan we also cover other topics such as the economic, cultural and social development of Japan. We will also talk about contemporary culture!
Japan's recent history is studded with events and transformations that have involved so much of the West: from the American occupation and the world wars (with key events such as Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) to the post-war economic miracle.
Think about it, even if we have never been interested in Japan and everything about it, it is very likely that somehow something Japanese is present in our lives.
In all households, first of all, there is some electronic device, an electrical appliance, a car or a motorcycle of Japanese manufacture. Do you have a camera? Almost impossible that it is not Japanese.
Also, almost all of us have grown up with at least one Japanese anime, manga or video game!
But what has allowed Japanese companies to become so dominant in certain industries?
How has Japanese society changed in the last century?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: " Modern History of Japan: Japanese History From the Meiji Period to the Present ", where in addition to the history of Japan we also cover other topics such as the economic, cultural and social development of Japan. We will also talk about contemporary culture!
March 5, 2022
Why are the Japanese so unique?
From the powerful Shogun and Samurai warriors, to the enchanting charm of the beautiful Geishas, there are many symbols of ancient Japan that still generate in us an incredible fascination.
But ancient Japan is not only this: its history is studded with events, characters, defeats and victories - as well as a cultural and religious heritage that has nothing to envy to any other area of the world.
The Japanese people have also rituals, behaviors and ways of life that are not present in any other nation in the world, not even in those more culturally similar such as South Korea, Taiwan or China.
Even art, literature and religion has followed a path all its own, which is not found anywhere outside the archipelago.
But what has made this powerful and proud people so fascinating to our eyes?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: "Ancient Japan: Japanese History From the Jomon Period to Early Modern Japan", where we will not only describe the history of Ancient Japan, but we will also analyze the customs and traditions to understand where it all originated, with the usual style of "Easy History", that is simple, immediate and detailed!
But ancient Japan is not only this: its history is studded with events, characters, defeats and victories - as well as a cultural and religious heritage that has nothing to envy to any other area of the world.
The Japanese people have also rituals, behaviors and ways of life that are not present in any other nation in the world, not even in those more culturally similar such as South Korea, Taiwan or China.
Even art, literature and religion has followed a path all its own, which is not found anywhere outside the archipelago.
But what has made this powerful and proud people so fascinating to our eyes?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: "Ancient Japan: Japanese History From the Jomon Period to Early Modern Japan", where we will not only describe the history of Ancient Japan, but we will also analyze the customs and traditions to understand where it all originated, with the usual style of "Easy History", that is simple, immediate and detailed!
February 17, 2022
Russia, a controversial but fascinating land
The not-so-young will surely remember the tense atmosphere in the world at the time of the Cold War, and how the great rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union created the fear of a war of unprecedented dimensions (and perhaps it was the fear of this war that saved us).
In these weeks instead there is nothing but talk about the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the possibility that a new war could break out soon in that territory (even if obviously it is not convenient for anyone, Russia first of all).
But Russia is not only this, we must not make the mistake of considering it "enemy and opposite" to what we are and our way of life. The Soviet territory is also, or rather above all, a territory rich in history, culture and very different populations.
That's why I decided to write about Russia in my latest publication "History of Russia: From the Mongol Invasion to the Putin Era, Discover the History of the World Largest Country", where I talk about the history of this immense territory from the first human settlements to the present day.
In these weeks instead there is nothing but talk about the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the possibility that a new war could break out soon in that territory (even if obviously it is not convenient for anyone, Russia first of all).
But Russia is not only this, we must not make the mistake of considering it "enemy and opposite" to what we are and our way of life. The Soviet territory is also, or rather above all, a territory rich in history, culture and very different populations.
That's why I decided to write about Russia in my latest publication "History of Russia: From the Mongol Invasion to the Putin Era, Discover the History of the World Largest Country", where I talk about the history of this immense territory from the first human settlements to the present day.
December 17, 2021
Are we looking at a "new Japan"?
As you all remember, since the 80's the West has been literally invaded by Japanese culture: not only martial arts, anime and manga, but also cars and technological products through huge companies that have imposed themselves all over the world.
In recent years, however, there is another country - very close to Japan - that seems to be following the same process: South Korea. The first to make known the potential of this extraordinary country were the big giants of technology and automotive (the so-called Chaebol, such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, KIA).
But it's not just that... Squid Game is the latest case of a trend that we've all noticed by now, which is that not only have big companies made South Korea known around the world (as we just said), but contemporary pop culture now has crazy numbers as well.
Think about K-Pop: the most famous Korean groups have become among the most followed in the world. And what about cinema? Did you know that the Korean movie Parasite won an Oscar in 2020? This was unthinkable until a few years ago!
But what is the source of this expansion of Korean culture and economy? What is its history?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: "History of South Korea: From the US Military Administration and the Korean War to Contemporary Pop Culture", where we not only look at the history of the country since its foundation, but also analyze aspects of contemporary culture and why South Korea is competing even with Japan in the collective imagination of Westerners.
You can find it on Amazon, along with the other books in the "Easy History" series!
History of South Korea: From the US Military Administration and the Korean War to Contemporary Pop Culture
In recent years, however, there is another country - very close to Japan - that seems to be following the same process: South Korea. The first to make known the potential of this extraordinary country were the big giants of technology and automotive (the so-called Chaebol, such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, KIA).
But it's not just that... Squid Game is the latest case of a trend that we've all noticed by now, which is that not only have big companies made South Korea known around the world (as we just said), but contemporary pop culture now has crazy numbers as well.
Think about K-Pop: the most famous Korean groups have become among the most followed in the world. And what about cinema? Did you know that the Korean movie Parasite won an Oscar in 2020? This was unthinkable until a few years ago!
But what is the source of this expansion of Korean culture and economy? What is its history?
You can learn more by reading my latest book: "History of South Korea: From the US Military Administration and the Korean War to Contemporary Pop Culture", where we not only look at the history of the country since its foundation, but also analyze aspects of contemporary culture and why South Korea is competing even with Japan in the collective imagination of Westerners.
You can find it on Amazon, along with the other books in the "Easy History" series!
History of South Korea: From the US Military Administration and the Korean War to Contemporary Pop Culture
