Giants of Japan: The Lives of Japan's Greatest Men and Women

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Kodansha America Written By: Mark Weston Average Customer Rating:


Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 920.052 EAN: 9781568362861 ISBN: 1568362862 Label: Kodansha America Manufacturer: Kodansha America Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 377 Publication Date: 1999-07 Publisher: Kodansha America Studio: Kodansha America
Editorial Reviews: Giants of Japan is the first book to inform readers about Asia's powerhouse through the lives of Japan's most important people. The book compresses centuries of history and economic growth by telling the stories - enterprising, adventurous, inspiring - of some remarkable men and women. Here are more than forty fascinating biographies of people who have shaped Japan's industry, history, and culture, individuals who have given their society its unique emphasis on both success and serenity.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Best comprehensive book on greatest men & women of Japan Comment: This is the best book I have read in either Japanese or English that gives a comprehensive, easy to read and balanced overview of the lives of 37 people who contributed into making Japan into what it is today. The book presents people from diverse aspects of Japan: industry, traditional culture, history, modern writers and film directors. The people span from the first ever novelist in the world Murasaki (c.975-c.1025) to Morita Akio, the co-founder of Sony. The biographies are short and concise and are on average 10 pages long. It is not necessary to read the entire book at once, but read one biography and come back to another one at a later time. I have read and reread the book numerous times and have been inspired by the lives of each one of the people profiled. Customer Rating: Summary: Diverse and Interesting history of Japanese individuals Comment: Much has been written about the history of Japan from the point of view of society and group dynamics. This is understandable given Japan's interdependent culture. Mark Weston's Giants of Japan is one of the first that covers Japan from the point of view of it's great individuals. The subjects of the book range from well known industrialists (Konosku Matsuhita) and leaders (Tokogawa Ieyasu) to lesser known writers (Fukuzawa Yukichi) and directors (Ozu Yasujiro). The book is good for many different types of people. Those with a deeper knowledge of Japan can pick and choose from the individuals they wish to learn more about. Those newly interested in Japan can read the book cover to cover to gain a broad knowledge of the history and people of Japan. This book does not attempt to provide a comprehensive Japanese history, or in depth view of any aspect of Japanese society. There are other more suitable books in those genres. Customer Rating: Summary: Enjoy a ride of Japanese history! Comment: Giants of Japan is a very pleasant introduction to Japanese history, organized in a succession of biographies of the most influential figures in Japanese business, politics, arts and sports. In addition to being well-written, the book offers a good mix of key facts and anecdotes, making the reading both interesting and exciting. Beyond information about the country itself, Weston takes good care of extracting history lessons from his biographies. For example, it is edifying to learn how (with what vision, strategems, and tricks) Mistui developed from a sake brewry into one of the worldfs largest corporations, with what political purpose tea ceremony was used, and how a single author, Fukuzawa Yukichi, precipitated Japan's westernization. The book recounts the origins of Shintoism, Haiku, even Aikido (judofs creator, Jigoro Kano, is missing from the book). It depicts the spirit of feudal warriors (both samurais and ronins), and shows how Bushido has survived in 20th century Japan (exemplified by Mishimafs tragic death). It also deals with the dark pages of Japanese history, including Japanese military actions before and during WWII and modern political corruption. I recommend this book to anyone who has a yet unfulfilled interest in Japan; the biographical structure of the book makes it readable even to a busy audience. Customer Rating: Summary: An eclectic collection of fascinating and remarkable lives Comment: Giants Of Japan: The Lives Of Japan's Greatest Men And Women by journalist and author Mark Weston is an informed and informative biographical survey of great figures drawn from fifteen centuries of Japanese history. Ranging from the internationally famous writer Yukio Mishima and the film director Akira Kurosawa, to historical icons such as Shotoku (the prince who helped bring Buddhism to Japan), and the actress Izumo no Okuni (who created kabuki theater), Giants Of Japan effectively summarizes an eclectic collection of fascinating and remarkable lives revealed in an energetic and raptly interesting presentation. Very highly recommended reading for students of Japanese history and culture. Customer Rating: Summary: A great read Comment: This was the best book I read last year. Very informative and easy to read. More Reviews