Showa: The Japan of Hirohito

by Carol Gluck, Stephen R. Graubard (Editor)

The death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989 ended Japan's Showa era (1926–1989) and provided the occasion for the Japanese to confront their past and the roots of their present success. This "stimulating and comprehensive" ( Kirkus Reviews ) collection of original essays on twentieth-century Japan's history and culture provides a unique mix of American and Japanese perspectives on Showa. With an important, substantial Introduction by Carol Gluck, the volume explores the strengths of the Japanese economy, the issue of democracy and Japan's political culture, Japan's achievements in technology and the arts, and its relations with other Asian nations and the United States.

Genres: Japan

380 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

from wikipedia: Carol Gluck is an American academic and Japanologist. She is the George Sansom Professor of History at Columbia University and served as the president of the Association for Asian Studies in 1996. Gluck received her B.A. from Wellesley in 1962 and was awarded her Ph.D. from Columbia in 1977.

She has been a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo, the University of Venice, Harvard University, and the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. Gluck directs the East Asian Studies program within the Weatherhead East Asian Institute. She was president of the Association for Asian Studies in 1996.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok. About what you’d expect for a collection of essays on late 19th century Japanese history, from the 90s?

[Alan Alonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and informative book about Japan during the Hirohito era. It is a collection of professional essays. These essays discuss Japan's economical,social,political and cultural structure before the war and after it. A little bit dated, by today's standards as the book was release during the 90s.The introduction is ridiculously long, in my opinion and can get really boring to read. The essays do get a little bit repetitive, especially towards the end. Really recommend the book if you want to learn about Japan's Showa era.

[stephanie]

carol gluck. like i wouldn't read anything this woman wrote. series of essays about life in japan during the showa period (1928-1980-something) - so basically all of modern japan. hard to believe one dude was in charge that whole time.