The History of Japan / Edition 2

by Louis G. Perez, Frank W. Thackeray, John E. Findling

Overview

Louis G. Perez revisits Japan's turbulent past and recent events in the past decade and 21st Century in this revised and fully expanded second edition of The History of Japan, a must-have for all high school and public libraries. This essential resource provides readers with a comprehensive look at Japan's long and rich history, examining its politics, culture, philosophy, and religious beliefs throughout the ages. Also included are up-to-date discussions of political situations, environmental issues, and even a glimpse into the cultural lives of the Japanese today. Students will learn who the Japanese are today, and how the past has shaped their contemporary society. An updated timeline, appendices, and glossary, along with an illustrative bibliographical essay that includes both print and electronic sources, round out this valuable reference tool.

Roughly the same size as the state of California, the island nation of Japan is one of the world's most densely populated nations-not to mention an economic powerhouse and a mecca of advanced technology. But the Land of the Rising Sun did not always lead the world with its success in the automobile industry, innovative electronics, and powerful stock market. Louis G. Perez revisits Japan's turbulent past and recent events in the past decade and 21st Century in this revised and fully expanded second edition of The History of Japan, a must-have for all high school and public libraries. This essential resource provides readers with a comprehensive look at Japan's long and rich history, examining its politics, culture, philosophy, and religious beliefs throughout the ages. Also included are up-to-date discussions of political situations, environmental issues, and even a glimpse into the cultural lives of the Japanese today. Students will learn who the Japanese are today, and how the past has shaped their contemporary society. An updated timeline, appendices, and glossary, along with an illustrative bibliographical essay that includes both print and electronic sources, round out this valuable reference tool.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313364426
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/30/2009
Series:	The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

LOUIS G. PEREZ is Professor of Asian History at Illinois State University. He is also the author of Daily Life in Early Modern Japan (Greenwood, 2001).

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Preface
Timeline of Historical Events
1 A Wonderful Place
2 Early Japan
3 Feudal Japan
4 The Tokugawa Era: 1600–1868
5 The Meiji Era: 1868–1912
6 Prewar Japan
7 The Pacific War and Allied Occupation
8 A New Japan
9 Turbulent Politics
10 Society in the Twenty-First Century
Appendix A: Notable People in the History of Japan
Appendix B: The Sat-Cho Oligarchy (Genro)
Appendix C: Premiers
Glossary of Selected Terms
Bibliographic Essay
Index

Editorial Reviews

First published in 1998, this updated edition has been revised to reflect recent changes to Japan's political, social, and cultural landscape. Perez (Japan Comes of Age) has separated the first edition's final chapter into two segments: Chapter 9 now surveys the chaotic politics of the Heisei era, while Chapter 10 describes Japanese culture in the 21st century and offers valuable insights into the country's youth culture, sexual mores, suicide rates, and negligible violence. With its essential chronology, term glossary, and premier list, the volume serves as both engaging read and quick-reference, supplanting Kenneth G. Henshall's 2004 History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower.” —Library Jourbanal

“The second edition of this summary of Japanese history has been revised to include new chapters on the Heisei Era and the latest cultural developments that have occurred since the first edition was published in 1999. Perez (Asian history, Illinois State U.) organizes this material in chronological order, ranging from early and feudal eras through World War II and Japan's emergence as a world leader in technology and economics. The author writes in a clear and easy-to- understand style that makes this volume appropriate for both students and general readers. Appendices include a list of notable people during the history of Japan, the Sat-Cho Oligarchy and a list of Japanese premiers.” —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher

Perez (Japanese history, Illinois State U.-Normal) provides a chronological narrative from prehistoric times through 1997. He explores the political, cultural, philosophical, and religious continuities in the country's long history to explain why the Japanese are like they are today. He includes a glossary without pronunciation, a timeline, biographical sketches, and a one-page bibliographic essay. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews