Embracing Defeat
#2596 of 2,654 all-time
Embracing Defeat
John Dower
3 people recommended it in 2 threads, 2015–2023.
What people on Hacker News said
Something that drives this home is that for Japan, "the war" for the Japanese people essentially lasted from 1931 (when Japan invaded Manchuria) to 1952 (when the US occupation of Japan ended) - I had never thought of it that way before.
The history of Japan's defeat in World War II is well known, but less known is how Japan transformed from a quasi-theocratic military dictatorship to the liberal democracy it is today.
This book looks at the events, both cultural and political, that were occurring during the American occupation and how the Japanese adjusted to their defeat and created a new vision of the Japanese nation.
a fascinating look into the reinvention of a nation's priorities from a warlord- and caste- driven monarchy to... whatever modern Japan is now.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately? 2023 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What books are you reading? 2015 · 1 recommendation