Japan: A Reinterpretation by Patrick Smith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Japan: A Reinterpretation
Book Review: good snapshot
Summary: 4 Stars
WHile Japan was viewed as The Economy to Emulate, a number of very bad books came out that exagerated and distorted what its corporations and government accomplished. In retrospect, these fawning books, such as Ezra Vogel's J as #1, appear ridiculous. Then, as fears of J's superiority mounted, there was a rash of "revisionist" books, which argued that Japan was competing unfairly rather than better. Now that Japan has faded from the scene somewhat, more balanced perspectives are coming out. Smith's book is one of the better such ones. Not only does offer it praise of certain companies and their innovations, but it does not flinch when criticizing the grotesque underdevelopment of the political system as well as the stunted individuality - the neurotic underside - of the Japanese character. Smith demonstrates convincing that there is terrible sickness within, that the country suffers from a "culture of irresponsibility" and that the younger generation may be the one to make reforms - after the older one dies off.
It is deeply pessimistic, but for anyone who has lived in Japan, a welcome breath of fresh air: critical but not a polemic, empathic without scorn. Recommended.
Book Review: Uncovering the Past, to Make the Future
Summary: 5 Stars
Japan is either the villain or a robot, yet for many Westerners it is first and foremost enigmatic. Patrick Smith's Japan: A Reinterpretation takes as its starting-point the reforms of the Meiji period, and concludes, that the search for a Japanese identity has been flawed and is still not complete. Smith also blames American policies for this flawed project.Smith's revisionist study may best be called social psychology, but he discusses history, feminism, art, economics, politics, agriculture, education, racism, and religion. His cast of characters include Banana Yoshimoto and Hirohito, samurais, bureaucrats, and foreigners. His argument for Hirohito's war guilt is compelling.
Because Japan is the first third-world nation to develop into a first-world nation, Smith's account of Japan's flawed attempts to understand it's place in the world are relevant to other small nations, like Korea and South Africa.
Smith's anaysis is also peppered with interviews and anecdotes. His familiarity and respect for Japan is evident on every page. Still, the reader is left with some disturbing thoughts.
Book Review: Very Original Approach
Summary: 5 Stars
I really appreciated this book. First - the approach is terrific. The telling of Japan through its artists, poets and everyday people is much more effective than the western style of politicians and military leaders. Second - Smith does a terrific job of connecting things in Japan that are not readily understood. I lived in Japan for 10 years and was looking to be critical and find flaws in his story. I found very few, learned alot and was never bored. Glad he wrote it.Book Review: start with this
Summary: 5 Stars
Patrick Smith's work is becoming known in Japan as the interpretation of Japan that only the Japanese don't know about. That in itself says a lot about this book. There may indeed be some flaws, but the basic thrust is powerful and timely. It is impossible now for foreigners in Japan to get away quite so comfortably with cultural relativist banalities. The propaganda, and the historical background has been exposed, and Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again. This book has made a real contribution to providing the basis of a realistic understanding of Japan among ordinary people. It's a good place to start for anybody interested in Japan -- which is only starting to get interesting (as long as you like rollercoasters!) It fully deserves five stars, although some people will, of course, mark it down.Book Review: Good for those interested in the truth about Japan
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book to be a wonderful explanation of the Japanese culture and history. I lived in Japan and have been bored and annoyed by books which simply repeat the propaganda about the 'perfection' of the Japanese society. While it is a interesting and, I believe, wonderful country and culture, there are many negatives about it. This book does not ignore those negatives as so many others do. For that, I thank Mr. Smith. Thus, if you are interested about the real Japan, both positive and negative, read this book.Also, this book was the winner of the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize, given to "books that will contribute to greater understanding and cooperation among the peoples and nations of the Pacific Rim and South Asia".