The Making of Modern Japan

Professor Kenneth Pyle paints a superb picture of the conscious decisions that made modern Japan using concise, clear prose. No other book offers such a clear history outlining the key trends and themes shaping Japanese history since the Tokugawa period. One reviewer criticizes the thematic organization of the book, but I argue this is its greatest strength. By drawing out these themes, Pyle provides an easy reference for following the course of specific developments, such as economic policy or women's rights in post-war Japan, as opposed to continually flipping back and forth between chapters. This should not be considered the be-all, end-all of Japanese history but rather a superb introduction to Japanese from one of the leaders of the field. The breadth and grand view of Pyle's work allows the reader to see the big picture rather than getting mired in the details and highlights key questions for further study while maintaining the context of history. No other Japanese history textbook addresses so many issues with such conciseness and clarity that will provide the kind of solid foundation as The Making of Modern Japan. Simply put, this is the only book of its kind and a must-read for anyone aspiring to understand modern Japan.

This is perhaps the best textbook on modern Japanese history. Professor Pyle divides each chapter into a specific historiographical issue instead of writing one long narrative on modern Japan, and as such is an invaluable asset not only for those who know little about Japan but also as a reference for the more knowledgeable. Pyle focuses on the trends of modern Japanese history, leaving out minor details in order to give the broader picture and context of the historical forces governing the making of modern japan. There are some small problems in this book, such as the use of the term "feudal" to describe Tokugawa Japan (but this is a common misconception of Tokugawa Japan, and in no way detracts from his book). However, the chapters that describe twentieth century and postwar Japan are among the best that I have read. Pyle has a knack for terse prose; not a word was wasted in the writing of this book. As such, he has produced a wonderful book that vividly describes the historical forces that shaped modern Japan without bogging the reader down in details.