This is the first of the Seagrave's books I have read. It will be the last. I picked it up thinking that it was written by Japanese scholars. After reading the preface and realizing the authors were investigative reporters, I was a bit turned off, but decided to continue reading.In the first chapter, the Seagraves present as fact details of ancient Japanese history that are still being debated within Japanese scholarship, both foreign and domestic. While there is likely some modicum of truth in what the Seagraves have to say, I find it difficult to take their accusations at face-value, in light of the incorrect history which is presented as fact. I don't think I could ever take seriously the work of such journalists who, from their other book credits, seem to be capitalizing on the "scandals of Asia" without truly having studied any of the Asian cultures they are writing about.