Japan's Imperial Conspiracy
Japan's Imperial Conspiracy
Pocket Books | 1972 | ISBN: N/A | English | 1444 pages | PDF | 142 MB
This revelatory work retains most of its value despite its age. David Bergamini's research on the seamy history of Japan's imperial family and household is hardly flawless, but it's massive enough that he substantially proves their culpability for much of the horror Japan inflicted on Asia since 1868. Critics rightly note some errors in using sources, and his argument is overstated. While Bergamini stresses the personal role of the Imperial family, structural/systemic elements of Japan's militarism and attitudes toward other peoples (not innate national character) deserve more attention. But earlier withering reviews also reflect scholarly disapproval of his lack of academic credentials–-not to mention his assault on the conventional "wisdom," especially about Hirohito, one of history's greatest unpunished war criminals.