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A History of Japan

From Stone Age to Superpower

  • Book
  • © 2004

Overview

Authors:
  1. Kenneth G. Henshall
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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Introduction: Japan and History

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 1-4

  3. From the Stone Age to Statehood: Myths, Prehistory, and Ancient History (to 710)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 5-22

  4. Of Courtiers and Warriors: Early and Medieval History (710–1600)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 23-50

  5. The Closed Country: The Tokugawa Period (1600–1868)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 51-72

  6. Building a Modern Nation: The Meiji Period (1868–1912)

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 73-105

  7. The Excesses of Ambition: The Pacific War and Its Lead-Up

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 106-138

  8. A Phoenix from the Ashes: Postwar Successes and Beyond

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 139-191

  9. Conclusion: Lessons for Aspiring Superpowers

    • Kenneth G. Henshall
    Pages 192-199

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 200-264
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Keywords

About this book

In a rare combination of comprehensive coverage and sustained critical focus, this book examines Japanese history in its entirety to identify the factors underlying the nation's progression to superpower status. Japan's achievement is explained not merely in economic terms, but at a more fundamental level, as a product of historical patterns of response to circumstance. Japan is shown to be a nation historically impelled by a pragmatic determination to succeed. The book also highlights unresolved questions and little-known facts.

Reviews

'One of the most important books in Japanese Studies in recent years.' - Ken Coates, Professor of History, University of New Brunswick

'In making the history of this remarkable society accessible to a wider public Professor Henshall has performed a most valuable service.' - Derek Massarella, Professor of Economic History, Chuo University, Japan

'An extraordinary book that will appeal to student, specialist, and

general reader alike.' - Laurie Barber, Professor of History, University of Waikato

About the author

KENNETH G. HENSHALL is Professor Japanese Studies at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has published on a range of Japan-related topics such as history, society, language and literature, and is author of the best-selling Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: A History of Japan

  • Book Subtitle: From Stone Age to Superpower

  • Authors: Kenneth G. Henshall

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230502925

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History Collection, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 2004

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-230-50292-5Published: 17 September 2004

  • Edition Number: 2

  • Number of Pages: XIII, 264

  • Topics: Asian History, Modern History, History of Japan

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