Japan

In this groundbreaking biography of the Japanese emperor Hirohito, Herbert P. Bix offers the first complete, unvarnished look at the enigmatic leader whose 63-year reign ushered Japan into the modern world. Never before has the full life of this controversial figure been revealed with such...

When Admiral William Halsey selected Destroyer Squadron 21 to lead his victorious ships into Tokyo Bay to accept the Japanese surrender, it was the most battle-hardened US naval squadron of the war. But it was not the squadron of ships that had accumulated such an inspiring résumé; it was the...

The late Dr. Michihiko Hachiya was director of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital when the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on the city. Though his responsibilities in the appalling chaos of a devastated city were awesome, he found time to record the story daily, with compassion and...

Living and dying with bravery and honor is at the heart of Hagakure, a series of texts written by an 18th-century samurai, Yamamoto Tsunetomo....

What does "good luck" look like, and how do you achieve it? Lucky symbols, lucky numbers, lucky charms, and luck-creating rituals—how is it that a disciplined and hard-working country like Japan is so invested in the idea of luck? And what, exactly, does "good luck" mean?

This is a riveting and disturbing account of the medical atrocities performed in China during WWII. Some of the cruelest deeds of Japan's war in Asia did not occur on the battlefield, but in quiet, antiseptic medical wards in obscure parts of China. Far from front lines and prying eyes, Japanese...

The comprehensive and accurate edition of the Hagakure is a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the Bushido code. The Hagakure is one of the most influential of all Japanese texts - written nearly 300 years ago by Yamamoto Tsunetomo to summarize the very essence of...

Bloomsbury presents Blazing Star, Setting Sun by Jeffrey Cox, read by Lance C Fuller. From popular Pacific Theatre expert Jeffrey R. Cox comes this insightful new history of the critical Guadalcanal and Solomons campaign at the height of World War II. Cox's previous book, Morning Star, Rising...

There are few moments in American history in which the course of events tipped so suddenly and so dramatically as at the Battle of Midway....

A naive young man, a railway enthusiast and radio buff, was caught up in the fall of the British Empire at Singapore in 1942. He was put to work on the 'Railway of Death' - the Japanese line from Thailand to Burma. Exhaustively and brutally tortured by the Japanese for making a crude radio...

The military general who became Emperor Hirohito’s prime minister, Tojo Hideki is most often remembered as an iron-fisted leader who dragged Japan into World War II and—after spectacular losses—was eventually executed as a war criminal. Yet Tojo was far more than his ignominious end. In...

From a leading expert in Japanese history, this is one of the first full histories of the art and culture of the Samurai warrior....

The persistent memory of a horrible death, that reached across time and space, and caused a 22-year-old American girl to seek past-life therapy, revealed the dramatic story of a Japanese man who was killed in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima....

Almost 24 hours to the minute since the tsunami hit Fukushima Daiichi, Unit 1 exploded. The building wrenched apart, sending shards of irradiated concrete and metal knifing through the air in all directions....

In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japan's progress through its entire history to its current status as an economic, technological, and cultural superpower. A key factor is a pragmatic determination to succeed. Little-known facts are...

Brought to you by Penguin. Chris Harding's enormously enjoyable new book distils Japan's long, complex and fascinating history into the stories of twenty remarkable individuals. These vivid and entertaining portraits take the reader from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to...

Bloomsbury presents Leyte Gulf by Mark Stille, read by John Chancer. A fascinating re-examination of the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval encounter in history and probably the most decisive naval battle of the entire Pacific War, and one that saw the Imperial Japanese Navy eliminated as...

The prewar history of the Japanese intelligence community demonstrates how having power over much, but insight into little can have devastating consequences. Its postwar history has also been problematic for national security. In Special Duty, Richard J. Samuels dissects the fascinating...

'What is it that makes the history of the Second World War so compelling? Why are the Afflicted afflicted? With these chapters we hope to offer some idea of our approach to, and understanding of, the war, while never forgetting the tumult and terror that came with defeating tyranny. Maybe you...

This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual...

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake large enough to knock the earth from its axis sent a massive tsunami speeding toward the Japanese coast and the aging and vulnerable Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power reactors....

This highly regarded war memoir was a best seller in both Japan and the United States during the 1960s and has long been treasured by historians for its military insights....

Bushido: The Soul of Japan is a seminal study on the way of the samurai by the Japanese educator Inazo Nitobe. From 1868, the beginning of the Meiji Era, Japan rapidly transformed itself from an isolated feudal society into a modern, industrialised nation state....

Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange's best-selling Miracle at Midway, Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this...

The story of the Battle of Saipan has it all. Marines at war: on Pacific beaches, in hellish volcanic landscapes, under a commander known as "Howlin' Mad." Naval combat: carriers battling carriers from afar, fighters downing Japanese aircraft, submarines sinking carriers....

'What is it that makes the history of the Second World War so compelling? Why are the Afflicted afflicted? With these chapters we hope to offer some idea of our approach to, and understanding of, the war, while never forgetting the tumult and terror that came with defeating tyranny. Maybe you...

Japanese myths present a significant barrier to entry for Westerners. The primary sources are arcane, and their translations are not accessible to the non-specialist. Japanese deities (kami) have multiple, long names, and the myths exist in different and conflicting versions. Finally, the sheer...

Step into the steamy bathhouses of feudal Japan to uncover a cultural history of Shinto purity and social hierarchy. Whether you are unwinding before sleep or transforming your daily commute into an educational journey, this atmospheric exploration immerses you in a society where water and heat...

Uncover the true historical reality of Japan’s female artists and working women in this immersive cultural history. Perfect for a contemplative evening commute or a relaxing weekend escape, this evocative journey walks you through the lantern-lit alleyways of traditional geisha districts...

Shatter modern sushi myths and devour the immersive culinary history of what peasants and samurai truly ate to survive. Whether you are commuting or cooking at home, this atmospheric journey transports you directly into the bustling street markets, muddy rice paddies, and smoky hearths of the...

Face mortality with stoic calm and master mindfulness through the quiet philosophy of the medieval Japanese warrior. Whether you are navigating major life transitions or simply seeking peace in a chaotic world, this contemplative historical journey offers a sanctuary for reflection. Step away...

Experience the profound calm and iron discipline of historical Edo Japan in this immersive day-in-the-life meditation. Whether you are seeking a grounded escape during a stressful commute or searching for tranquil focus to wind down before sleep, step into the measured footsteps of a mid-ranking...

Step into pre-industrial rural Japan for an immersive historical journey through one grueling, beautiful agrarian day. Perfect for an evening wind-down or a mindful commute, this serene narrative transports you directly to the flooded paddies of a forgotten era. Feel the cool mud and hear the...

Step onto the blood-soaked battlefields of feudal Japan to separate the brutal reality of the warrior elite from myth. This immersive historical journey is the perfect commute companion, transforming an everyday drive into an epic saga of clan warfare, political betrayal, and strict martial...

Strip away the pop culture myths to experience the epic military history and dramatic rise of Japan's feudal warriors. Perfect for your daily commute, this gripping historical narrative transports you directly to the blood-soaked battlefields and shadowy imperial courts of a fractured empire...

Experience how pragmatic merchants outmaneuvered elite samurai to build Japan's urban capitalism and economic might. Perfect for an educational commute, this immersive history explores the bustling rivers, rice exchanges, and guild networks of a low-lying delta that transformed into a financial...

Uncover a rich cultural history where an ancient Japanese capital defies the sweep of global modernization. Wander through tranquil river valleys and vibrant merchant districts as you explore the spiritual and aesthetic backbone of a society built on enduring tradition. Perfect for an...

Experience the ultimate armchair travel adventure through Japanese cultural history as an ancient capital defies time. Whether you are planning a trip to Japan or seeking an immersive escape for your daily commute, this atmospheric journey reveals how an eighth-century imperial experiment became...

Witness the dramatic political struggle that transformed a rigid samurai society into a modern global empire. This gripping historical narrative plunges you into the intense cultural clash of nineteenth-century Japan. Perfect for your morning commute, it offers an immersive look at a nation...

Experience the dramatic clash of samurai warlords and serene tea masters in this immersive Asian cultural history. Perfect for your daily commute or planning a trip to Japan, this atmospheric listen transforms ancient streets into a living timeline. Step beyond the glittering classical courts...

Experience the gripping military history of a vibrant civilian community devastated by the world's first atomic bomb. Perfect for a thought-provoking commute or reflective listening, this somber yet deeply humane narrative explores the tragic chain of bureaucratic decisions that brought the...

Dive into an archaeological mystery where oceanic exploration meets fierce debate over a sunken structure. Perfect for a thought-provoking commute, this immersive journey transports you straight to the remote Japanese seafloor. Feel the atmospheric tension between ancient myth and modern geology...

Trace the epic history of how fierce samurai and sacred emperors transformed an isolated island into a modern giant. Perfect for an educational commute, this sweeping narrative captures the dramatic evolution of military governments and deeply rooted traditions. You will experience the...

Experience the definitive history of human resilience as a devastated city rebuilds from the ashes of nuclear tragedy. Perfect for your daily commute, this reflective narrative transforms unprecedented destruction into a profound exploration of hope. Witness ordinary citizens rising above...

Experience the epic political revolution that transformed a secluded samurai domain into an industrial global superpower. Perfect for your morning commute, this dramatic world history narrative drops you into nineteenth-century conflicts where tradition clashes with rapid modernization. Listen...

Experience the gripping military history of a feudal society rapidly transforming into a modern global superpower. Perfect for an engaging daily commute, this dramatic narrative captures the turbulent clash between ancient traditions and radical modernization. Plunge into the intense civil wars...

Elevate your daily commute with an epic military history where a fierce clash of empires rewrites global supremacy. This tense narrative plunges you onto the blood-soaked battlefields of Manchuria and the freezing waters of the Pacific, capturing a monumental turning point in twentieth-century...

Witness the bloody rise and dramatic collapse of a legendary warrior elite in this epic saga of military strategy. Perfect for a focused commute or a deep weekend listening session, this immersive historical journey transports you into the heart of feudal battlefields. Experience the thrilling...

Plunge into an atmospheric marine archaeology mystery where ancient geology clashes with lost civilization myths. Perfect for a captivating commute or a weekend of armchair exploration, this immersive journey takes you deep into the seafloor of Japan’s Ryukyu island arc. Discover a colossal...

Experience the epic rise of Japan's first imperial capital, an ancient nexus of Buddhist art and political warfare. Whether you are seeking a transportive escape for your daily commute or deep historical context before an upcoming travel adventure, this immersive narrative brings a lost world...