Description
This book ought to be renamed The Shortest Political History of Japan as its main focus is on the political history, wars, and quests for power by many different clans and families in the history of Japan and not really too much is covered of art, culture, and religion.
The book does lives up to its name and is a quick and digestible history of Japan, though too much focus on the emperors, for people who might be planning a trip to Japan or need a quick brush-up before a test in school. The books covers the major players and events in quick fashion, as each chapter is fairly short, so there is really no analysis of the different events which have occurred in Japan.
For those who know Japanese history will not find too much in here, as the book is geared toward people who know nothing about Japan and it works in that fashion. The pictures, and maps, scattered throughout the book, are a nice touch and help bring to life the history of the island nation.
