chadkoh reviewed Concise History of Japan by Brett L. Walker
Review of 'Concise History of Japan' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
A serviceable survey of Japan's history. He sometimes chooses the obvious examples, but I appreciate some of his more critical takes (eg. emphasis on Emishi, Meiji colonialism in Hokkaido, labour issues, etc). However, the book promises "posing important questions regarding … environmental and climatological uncertainties" but does not fully deliver on this. Rather than an "ecological history" this is more of a standard history where each chapter has a section seemingly tacked on near the end with some environmental point. I would totally read a purely "ecological history" of Japan, and I hope publishers let Brett Walker write one someday.
