Society for Military History Distinguished Book AwardPopular impressions of the imperial Japanese army still promote images of suicidal banzai charges and fanatical leaders blindly devoted to their emperor. Edward Drea looks well past those stereotypes to unfold the more complex story of how that army came to power and extended its influence at home and abroad to become one of the world's dominant fighting forces.This first comprehensive English-language history of the Japanese army traces its origins; evolution; and impact as an engine of the country's regional and global ambitions and as a catalyst for the militarization of the Japanese homeland from mid-nineteenth-century incursions through the end of World War II. Demonstrating his mastery of Japanese-language sources; Drea explains how the Japanese style of warfare; burnished by samurai legends; shaped the army; narrowed its options; influenced its decisions; and made it the institution that conquered most of Asia. He also tells how the army's intellectual foundations shifted as it reinvented itself to fulfill the changing imperatives of Japanese society-and how the army in turn decisively shaped the nation's political; social; cultural; and strategic course.Drea recounts how Japan devoted an inordinate amount of its treasury toward modernizing; professionalizing; and training its army—which grew larger; more powerful; and politically more influential with each passing decade. Along the way; it produced an efficient military schooling system; a well-organized active duty and reserve force; a professional officer corps that thought in terms of regional threat; and well-trained soldiers armed with appropriate weapons.Encompassing doctrine; strategy; weaponry; and civil-military relations; Drea's expert study also captures the dominant personalities who shaped the imperial army; from Yamagata Aritomo; an incisive geopolitical strategist; to Anami Korechika; who exhorted the troops to fight to the death during the final days of World War II. Summing up; Drea also suggests that an army that places itself above its nation's interests is doomed to failure.
#754785 in Books University Press of Kansas 2010-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .50 x 5.50l; .60 #File Name: 0700617191200 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. This exceptionally well-written; engaging; and fact-filled book traces ...By FlameThrowerThis exceptionally well-written; engaging; and fact-filled book traces the Mendez's Herculean efforts against the Boards of Education and their determination at confronting racism and putting an end to segregation in elementary schools in Southern California. The book exposes the conspiracy of multiple school disctricts' exclusionary policies imposed on Americans of Mexican ancestry for 25 years up to the 40's when the case was brought before the Ninth Circuit of Appeals. In addition; it presents the racist notions practiced and held by Anglo-Saxons towards the general populace of Americans of Mexican ancesty. More importantly; it was a catalyst for all the elite civil rights organizations to weigh in on the case and shows how this landmark decision was used in the arguments for the Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. David Marcus carried the burden of this case and deserves the credit for his intelligence; sensitivity; and deftly molded arguments against segregation then legal across the nation.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy SRAExcellent reading - an important case that is often overlooked. Highly recommend it!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Review on Mendez v. Westminster which unfortunately is not covered in the California schools curriculum.By LyndaThe book was very informative; objective and accurate. I loved the cover as it shows a large picture of the stamp issued in honor of this trial and the families. I used it for a very successful report I gave at the college.
