A Brief History of Japan

Now... less one think that only having 265 pages for the supposed 5,000 year history of Japan isn't enough, let me state that Clements has presented the history book in an easy-to-read format, doing away with superfluous wording. IE: It's easy to read, and more importantly, easy to understand. --It's a Wonderful Rife blog .. .an unmissable guide to one of the most fascinating countries on earth. --NEO magazine .. .one of the book's big take-home points: Japan's perennial ability to rebuild, adapt, innovate and, above all, fascinate. This book helps you understand how it all came about. --The Japan Times Jonathan Clements book is a tour de force, which summarizes all the key elements you need to understand Japan. Besides all the vital landmark events like the arrival of Zen or the 200 years of isolation, you'll also encounter a wealth of fascinating but less well-known aspects. A Brief History zips along in a style that is both witty and informative. Whether you're a long-term Japanophile, or an armchair traveler with Japan somewhere on your bucket list, this book will help you understand how Japan became the fascinating unique place it is today. --Zoom Japan Magazine .. .it sets out what it aims to do: quickly teach you Japanese history from the ancient times to the present, without getting overly complicated or long-winded, which history books tend to do. --San Francisco Book Review Writing a brief history of a land as ancient and complicated as Japan is no easy task...Luckily, with Jonathan Clements, readers are in the hands of a master. His crackling prose, sharp wit, and learned insights make Japan's history truly come alive. --Frederik L. Schodt, author of America and the Four Japans: Friend, Foe, Model, Mirror Perfect for travelers or students...A wonderfully fun, interesting, and informative introduction to Japanese history. Clements blends culture, politics, military, economics...all with a wit and humor that carry the narrative forward and make it real. --Mark Zachary Taylor, author of The Politics of Innovation With a lightness of touch but seriousness of purpose, Clements negotiates the complexities of Japanese history in this compact book. The result is an accessible, persuasive and reliable introduction. --Ellis Tinios, Lecturer in East Asian History, University of Leeds