No comments about Last Witnesses: Reflections on the Wartime Internment of Japanese Americans.

1 comments about The Writings of Koda Aya, A Japanese Literary Daughter (Studies of the East Asian Institute).

1. A truly insightful study beautifully argued without the use of word processing

No comments about Tokyo Rose: Orphan of the Pacific.

No comments about Journey to a War (Armchair Traveller Series).

1 comments about The Saga of Dazai Osamu: A Critical Study With Translations.

1. the book is a biogaphy with translation/summary of Dazai's short stories. a very interesting book, however, information sometimes can be too brief. if you want to know more about Dazai's life, this book might not be your best choice; neither is the short stories complete. however, if you want a little bit of both without getting into petty details, this is a great book.

1 comments about When Help Never Came.

1. The author is a former American soldier who was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked. He was among those who retreated to the Bataan peninsula and he eventually moved out to the fortress on Corregidor Island. Captured by the Japanese, he spent the rest of the war as a POW. After his initial stay in the Philippines, he was transported to the Japanese main island where he remained until the Japanese surrender ended the war.
   His account is very matter-of-fact and unlike most other stories of American captives under the Japanese, he often speaks highly of his captors. At first the treatment was very brutal, but later there were acts of kindness from the Japanese guards and some civilians. He received fruit and extra food in exchange for work favors and was impressed by many aspects of Japanese culture. His account of how the Japanese guards piled their weapons in an orderly manner and then marched out in military precision when the war was over is recounted with grace. He seems to have little animosity towards those who were once "the enemy."
   The bulk of his wrath is reserved for President Roosevelt and the highest members of the American military. He believes that Roosevelt deliberately allowed Pearl Harbor to be attacked, citing the widespread notion in the military that it was where the Japanese would attack if it ever came to war. He also will never forgive Roosevelt's deviousness in telling the American defenders on Bataan to fight on because "help is on the way", when he knew that there was no way that they could be rescued or reinforced. It was a cynical ploy by the American planners to keep them fighting so that the Japanese would be delayed as long as possible.
   I don't believe that Roosevelt deliberately allowed Pearl Harbor to be attacked. At the time, few people believed that a task force the size that the Japanese mustered could sail all the way across the Pacific without being detected. In fact they were, the people on the ground just didn't recognize it for what it was. However, I give Sabotta his due, he did his duty and fought till it was useless to fight on, so his right to bitterness is earned.

No comments about Art Of Ogata Kenzan: Persona And Production In Japanese Ceramics.

3 comments about I Am Alive!: A United States Marine's Story of Survival in a World war II Japanese POW Camp.

1. I AM ALIVE! is a collection of short stories told by Marine Sergeant Major Charles R. Jackson, a West Point graduate who resigned his Army commission, in 1926, to become a Private in the United States Marine Corps. Fifteen years later, he was a sergeant major in the 4th Marine Regiment, fighting for his life on Corregidor, and later dealing with life as a POW in the bottom of a copper mine in northern Japan for nearly four years.
   Much credit is due to Major "Doc" Norton,USMC, who edited this work and ow presents this story as a masterpiece of World War II experiences. I know the phrase, "I couldn't put it down," is well-worn, but that is exactly what happened to me. One story leads to another, each one better than the last. The finished product is a marvelous collection of observation of fellow Marines, soldiers, Japanese officers, and even Shoo Chow the mongrel mascot of the 4th Marine Regiment, who also survived being a "guest of the Emperor."
   I have read many of Major Norton's books, but this is without question his best effort yet. There is no doubt in my mind that this is an award-winning book. I would encourage every veteran, every parent, and every service man and women, to read
   this great book. They will immediately learn where their military heritage comes from. Without doubt, a 5-Star book. I'll buy 25 copies as Christmas presents.

   found himself




2. I was somewhat disappointed in that the author seemed to focus more on times before capture than times inside the prison camp and mine. The book seemed to jump around alot and the writing styles seem to change from chapter to chapter which detracted from the stories the auther told. Over all though, he went into great detail in describing to the readers about what made each man unique. The author shows an incedible talent in portraying each man's stengths and weaknesses. He shows how even the Japanese guards that tormented them had human and good qualities that kept him from hating them outright. This book seems to focus more the human soul than the life of a prisoner.



3. "I Am Alive!: A United States Marine's Story of Survival in a World War II Japanese POW Camp," by Charles R. Jackson, has been edited by Bruce H. Norton. The introductory materials of the book note that Jackson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as an Army officer. He resigned his commission in 1925 and enlisted as a private in the Marine Corps in 1927. He rose to the rank of sergeant major and was made a warrant officer before retiring. This book draws on his experiences as a prisoner-of-war held by the Japanese in the Philippines and Japan.
   
   This is a remarkable book. While firmly in the tradition of the American military narrative, it is quite different in tone from any military true-life story I have ever read. Jackson's voice is that of a folksy storyteller. In the book he specifically mentions the tradition of military oral folklore, and his own style draws on that tradition.
   
   Most of the book is structured as a series of interconnected character sketches. The gallery he presents is a very diverse group: officer and enlisted, as well as civilian; Japanese, Filipino, and American of various ethnic groups; Christian and Jew; even non-human. I found some of the most striking pieces to be the following: "The Story of Lieutenant Asaka," about an enigmatic Japanese prison commandant who is respected as a "real soldier" by his own enemies; "The Story of the Old Swede," about a Marine first sergeant who is an alcoholic; and "The Story of First Sergeant Santaleses," about a formidable soldier of the Philippine Scouts. But my favorite tale is "The Story of Soochow," about a little mongrel dog who becomes a Marine mascot, and stands by his Marines in battle and in prison.
   
   Jackson's sketches bring all of these characters to life. Despite the serious subject matter, the author's tone is often quite funny--at times he made me laugh out loud. But he also unflinchingly describes the horror and violence of war, and the often horrific suffering of the POWs. Jackson also touches often on Marine tradition and esprit-de-corps.
   
   Jackson's is a truly extraordinary voice: witty, learned, clever, playful, and deeply humane. This book is a valuable contribution to the canon of military narrative, as well as to the literature of imprisonment.

1 comments about Public People, Private People: Portraits of Some Japanese.

1. Of Richie's many excellent books, this is probably the best,and certainly one of the two or three best books about Japan andJapanese people today. A vision of Japan through precise, intimate portraits of ordinary and extraordinary Japanese people. A moving work that is both fine and great.

No comments about Kitahara Hakushu: His Life and Poetry (Cornell East Asia, No. 65) (Cornell East Asia Series).