Title: Insightful Analysis of the Countries' Complex Relationship
Product review: Author's thesis is that Japan can best be understood by looking at it from the four perspectives enumerated in the book's subtitle.The author's thesis is original, well researched/supported (including many citations to Japanese publications) and rings true to me but doesn't read like an academic treatise . Also, the book's brevity is a plus.The only downside to the book is that it's now in need of an update -- most of the source material is from the late 80's and early 90's. It would be great if the author would update the book in light of the changes of the last 5-10 years, perhaps with a new intoduction and epilogue.The author's other books include "Manga! Manga!" (about the Japanese comic book/graphic novel genre) and "Inside the Robot Kingdom" whci is about Japanese robotics and robot culture.
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