In Japanese, the word for foreign country means literally outnation. But to many American and Japanese, it is Japan itself that, despite its rising influence in world affairs, is the outsider - The Outnation.
Jonathan Rauch wrote this book more than a decade ago. However, many travelers to Japan still find it one of the best introductions to Japanese society available in English. His profiles of people,places and social mores are insightful as well as elegantly written. Whenever I meet someone on their way to Japan for the first time, I almost reflexively offer them a copy of this fine book.
Beautifully written, insightful
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This extraordinarily well-written book came out during a time when Americans were told that Japan was invincible, threatening, and a model society. Jonathan Rauch saw a more complex Japan, one with great strengths but also great difficulties, especially in generating criticism and change from within. His portrait has stood the test of time when many acclaimed "experts" now look like fools.
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