An interesting history of Japan that covers the development of Japanese society, thought and politics from before Western contact up to, and through, World War II. This book is not a history of the battles that Japan fought, but an analysis of the events leading up to WWII and beyond. It was confusing at times especially in the time period of the early 1930's to understand who was doing what to whom and why. The seemingly ambiguous political structure made it difficult to determine who held power. A well balanced account of the war from all sides. The Japanese as a whole were treated fairly in this account.