Product Description

This authoritative and accessible book charts the history of Japan from c.8000 bc to the 1990s.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #397102 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 656 pages

Review
"A History of Japan is a highly recommended, informative, scholarly, comprehensive, and ′reader friendly′ introduction and historical survey that will be much appreciated by students of Japanese history and culture, and has a wealth of material for the non–specialist general reader seeking to understand the Japan of antiquity as well as a contemporary and influential society." The Midwest Book Review

"Not until Conrad Totman′s A History of Japan has there been such a sophisticated and detailed record of Japan′s past, one that combines and critiques the standard perspectives while adding a new vision all its own. In a word, this is the best single–volume examination of Japan′s history available .. A History of Japan is a masterpiece." Monumenta Nipponica

"A clear and concise overview of the whole of Japanese history." History

"Students and the ... general reader ... will profit from engagement with this book." English Historical Review

"A History of Japan is one of the most perceptive and illuminating studies of Japan′s history to have appeared in English in recent decades, and is likely to be widely used by teachers, students and researchers." Times Higher Education Supplement

"Totman′s work reflects its author′s erudition, expansive vision, and humanism. It will suit the needs of instructors and many general readers perfectly." David Howell, Princeton University, for the Journal of Japanese Studies

Monumenta Nipponica
A History of Japan is a masterpiece.

History
A clear and concise overview of the whole of Japanese history.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating insight into a fascinating country
Having read various travel guides on Japan I wanted to find a historical account of Japan which gave an insight into its political, social and cultural history- this book achieved that perfectly. Whilst not ideally suited to being read cover to cover (it’s more a reference book), Totman has written this book in such a way that each era of history can be considered separately to allow the reader to learn about various stages in Japanese history.

I found reference to Japanese poetry particularly interesting as well as the social structure which changed several times over the last few thousand years. Religion is also described although I felt this section was slightly confusing and certainly not a strength of the book.

Another strength of the book is that it does not focus all its attention on the past 100 years – much of the recent history of Japan is well documented; this provides a detailed insight into some of the political decisions of recent centuries against a cultural history lasting considerably longer.

Definitely a recommended read.

An excellent introduction to Japanese History
Totman writes in a clear and informative way, introducing the reader to vocabulary
which may be unfamiliar. The book is well written and well laid out, making it
extremely easy to use not just for pleasure but also for serious study. Many areas of
Japanese history are covered, perhaps most intriguing is the early interaction between
Japan and the west. Totman informs the reader of the subtle and occasionally
humorous results of this early interaction.
The book covers are large period in an eloquent manor making further study into
many of the issues covered easy. Veterans of Japanese History will also find the book
enlightening as Totman explains not just the events but the motivation behind them.
Modern Historians would also find this book useful for background reading, and an aid
to understanding how the Japanese nation works.
Given the limited publication of non-European history this book is almost an essential
read for any serious enthusiast of Japanese culture and history