A Traveller's History of Japan
Tames ( Encounters with Japan , LJ 6/1/92, among others) has written an interesting and informative introduction to Japan. The first two-thirds of the book comprise a mad dash through Japanese history, from prehistoric times to the 1990s. This section of the book has as much detail and scope as the brief space allows. The final third consists of topical information: "Food and Drink," "Prime Ministers," and so forth. Blunders include a bizarrely rose-tinted view of the Yakuza crime syndicate and the lack of any real treatment of Shinto. Although hampered by brevity, Tames does manage to hold the history together, and the book is fairly engaging. Recommended for most travel collections.- Chuck Malenfant, Louisiana State Univ., Baton RougeCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.