Steve Kemper’s *Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor* plunges readers into the heart of pre-World War II Japan through the eyes of Ambassador Joseph C. Grew. Winner of the American Academy of Diplomacy’s Dillon Book Award, this riveting biography, available in a large print edition, chronicles Grew’s decade-long mission to navigate the increasingly dangerous political landscape of a militaristic and nationalistic Japan. Kemper masterfully weaves together Grew’s personal diaries, diplomatic cables, and firsthand Japanese accounts to reveal the escalating tensions and miscalculations that ultimately led to Pearl Harbor. More than just a historical account, it’s a compelling portrait of a dedicated diplomat struggling against the tide of war, offering crucial insights into the complexities of US-Japan relations and the perils of unchecked aggression. It sheds light on the inner workings of the Japanese government, the influence of extremist factions, and the pervasive atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia. Readers gain insight into Grew’s personal life in Tokyo with his wife, Alice, and the dangers that constantly threatened him and his family. This book is praised by The Wall Street Journal, and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked nationalism and the critical importance of effective diplomacy in a world on the brink.
Our Man in Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor
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Winner of the American Academy of Diplomacys Dillon Book Award
“Gripping history, offering both drama and suspense.” Wall Street Journal
A riveting, behind-the-scenes account of the personalities and contending forces in Tokyo during the volatile decade that led to World War II, as seen through the eyes of the American ambassador who attempted to stop the slide to war.
In 1932, Japan was in crisis. Naval officers had assassinated the prime minister and conspiracies flourished. The military had a stranglehold on the government. War with Russia loomed, and propaganda campaigns swept the country, urging schoolchildren to give money to procure planes and tanks.
Into this maelstrom stepped Joseph C. Grew, Americas most experienced and talented diplomat. When Grew was appointed ambassador to Japan, not only was the country in turmoil, its relationship with America was rapidly deteriorating. For the next decade, Grew attempted to warn American leaders about the risks of Japans raging nationalism and rising militarism, while also trying to stabilize Tokyos increasingly erratic and volatile foreign policy. From domestic terrorism by Japanese extremists to the global rise of Hitler and the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor, the events that unfolded during Grews tenure proved to be pivotal for Japan, and for the world. His dispatches from the darkening heart of the Japanese empire would prove prescientfor his time, and for our own.
Drawing on Grews diary of his time in Tokyo as well as U.S. embassy correspondence, diplomatic dispatches, and firsthand Japanese accounts, Our Man in Tokyo brings to life a man who risked everything to avert another world war, the country where he staked it alland the abyss that swallowed it.
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| Binding | |
| Condition | |
| ISBN-10 | 0063268175 |
| ISBN-13 | 9780063268173 |
| Language | |
| Pages | 720 |
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| Year published | |
| Weight | 658 |
| Edition | Large type / Large print |
