When the Emperor Hirohito died in 1989; Japanese newspapers had to use a special; exalted word to refer to his death; and had to depict his life uncritically; as one beginning in turbulence but ending in magnificent accomplishment. To do otherwise would have exposed them to terrorism from the vigilant right wing. Yet this insightful book by a Japanese-American scholar who grew up in both cultures reveals the hidden fault lines in the realm of the dying emperor by telling the stories of three unlikely dissenters: a supermarket owner who burned the national flag; an aging widow who challenged the state's "deification" of fallen soldiers; and the mayor of Nagasaki; who risked his career and his life by suggesting that Hirohito bore some responsibility for World War II.
#87774 in Books Tregaskis; Richard/ Bowden; Mark (INT) 2000-05-30 2000-05-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.01 x .58 x 5.18l; .55 #File Name: 0679640231272 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Important first hand in sight; but only a fair read.By T. BallouI guess I had read this book probably 60 years ago and was impressed at the time. As a military youngsterI was always eager for "war stories"; a topic my dad religiously avoided. In recent years; after finally retiring from the Navy myself; I have begun studying the Pacific war and now understand why. The book: it's a terse; newspaper account; of the first few months of action on Guadalcanal. While excellent journalism by a commentator who was actually there sharing foxholes with the Marines; it's a bit dry and; unfortunately suffers from the lack of real intelligence which 50 years of revelation have provided. Even actions the author experienced; such as the night bombardment of Henderso field by two Japanese battleships; is just; well; reported. It must have been terrifying; but we don't get that sense. This book is an important part of the historical record; but neither as complete as others; nor very exciting.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Guadalcanal Diary: Great ReprintBy Karen ForceVery interesting story written by journalist Richard Tregaskis. This book was initially released in the 1940s so the language is clean; there is an excerpt at the end detailing Mr. Tregaskis's life and detailing the other books he has written. This book is a journal depicting life on Guadalcanal and the fighting between the Americans and the Japanese. This author does not go into gory detail about the fighting; but he does document the physical and mental toll wars take on those who are on the battlefield. Too bad this journal is not part of our educational system.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Puts the reader on the front lines of combat with the US MarinesBy Lance F. JamesTerrific period piece; written as contemporaneous reporting of the first effort of the US Marines to take back territory from the previously invincible empire of Japan in World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the military defeats and loss of the Philippines and Wake Island; there was great uncertainty as to whether the US and its allies could be ultimately successful militarily against the Japanese juggernaut. Guadalcanal posed a threat as a launching point for a possible attack and subjugation of Australia. The author was embedded with the first Marines as they made an amphibious landing at Guadalcanal; had their first military encounters with Japanese forces; took a strategic airfield; were isolated without assurance of further support following a naval defeat; and persevered until support was re-established. The first hand account captures both the uncertainty of combat as well as the can-do attitudes of the US Marine Corps. Well worth reading for its descriptions of the experiences of the men on the ground; inspirational with regard to the American fighting spirit.
