Japanese culture and arts only grew after absorbing Chinese traditions via Korea and China from 600 to 838 AD. Absorption was the most during the…
View More China and Japan – Part 2
Tag: World War II History (Books)
Behind the Glory
Britain at Bay, by Alan Allport (2020), is a sweeping first volume covering Britain’s early years in World War II (1938–1941). It is a magisterial…
View More Behind the Glory
Embracing Defeat
The title is striking. It seizes your attention. “Embrace” means to take up readily or gladly, like “embrace a cause.” In the book “Embracing Defeat”…
View More Embracing Defeat
China and Japan – Part 1
Emperor Hirohito’s surrender speech, delivered on August 15, 1945, over the radio, was in classical Japanese that was heavily influenced by classical Chinese, especially in…
View More China and Japan – Part 1
Sunday Book Haul
Last Sunday I bought 3 excellent books at Kinokuniya KLCC. The Anatomy of the Nuremberg Trials by Telford Taylor is a memoir by one of…
View More Sunday Book Haul
Hirohito’s Controversial Legacy
The Tokyo War Criminals Trial tried Tojo and 27 top Japanese wartime leaders who waged WW2. The man responsible was not indicted. Hirohito was allowed…
View More Hirohito’s Controversial Legacy
Challenges in Palestine: Truman’s Role Revisited
The British Mandate over Palestine was a disaster for all inhabitants of this ancient land. The attitude of those in charge is best summed up…
View More Challenges in Palestine: Truman’s Role Revisited
China Alone – Part 3
An unknown fact is that the Russian government, while the UK and the US watch, did assist China to fight the invasion. Peter Harmsen tells…
View More China Alone – Part 3
Tariq Ali’s Book Recommendations
Tariq Ali is a polymath. Age 80 he was born in Lahore, British India. He studied in Oxford. He has written many history and political…
View More Tariq Ali’s Book Recommendations
China Alone – Part 1
Before the Japanese attacked the US naval base in Pearl Harbour on 7 Dec 1941, which forced the US to action, China fought the Japanese…
View More China Alone – Part 1