The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945 by John Toland
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Summary
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 saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened—muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox.”
The main focus of this book is to chronicle the Pacific War primarily between the US and Japan. While it briefly touches upon Japan's annexation of China and Korea, its main emphasis is on the battles.
However, it lacks historical context and instead delves into intricate details of individual incidents without providing a broader understanding of their significance. After being inundated with meticulous explanations of the actions, thoughts, and discussions of various individuals such as generals and heads of state, the relevance of these events is disregarded.
A prime example of this is the excessive amount of time spent discussing the planning and execution of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, including individual pilots dropping bombs on specific battleships. This section becomes monotonous and tiresome, spanning three hours in a 40-hour audiobook.
Additionally, I found it frustrating that the narrator consistently mispronounced the names of Japanese people and places throughout the book.
I ultimately gave up on listening to it around the 17th hour and I have no regrets about saving myself from wasting another 23 or so hours of my precious time.
In summary, this book is incredibly dull and serves as a prime example of why many people are uninterested in studying history.
This book is an absolute gem in the war genre. Not only does it capture the essence of war, but it also highlights the devastating consequences of conflict. It beautifully portrays the bravery exhibited by individuals on both sides of the battlefield, while also shedding light on the thrill of battle (imagine if war was as simple as a video game!). Furthermore, it explores the role of ego and miscommunication in fueling conflicts, as well as the notion that sometimes success stems from simply finding a way to navigate through difficult situations.
What makes this book truly captivating is its incorporation of personal accounts alongside historical facts. It paints a vivid picture of the experiences of those involved, allowing readers to truly connect with the past. And, if you've ever been curious about the enigmatic Tokyo Rose, this book uncovers her backstory in fascinating detail. Additionally, it serves as a poignant reminder of the tremendous tragedy that war inflicts upon both civilians and soldiers alike.
John Toland presents a remarkably detailed account of the rise and fall of the Japanese Empire, unveiling a wealth of historical information. I gained a great deal of knowledge from this audiobook, which now marks my fifth exploration of the Pacific War. While "Pacific Crucible" remains my top pick, "The Rising Sun" comes in a close second. The portrayal of the moment when Hirohito and MacArthur crossed paths was particularly gripping, leaving a lasting impression. Moreover, the audiobook manages to infuse humor into its narrative, which is a delightful and unexpected addition.
This audiobook is all about World War II but from a unique perspective - from inside Japan. I actually made a similar comment about another book called "Red Flag - A History of Communism." What I mean is that this book provides a lot of intricate details and a different point of view that we don't typically come across when we learn about this historical period.
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