American Shogun: MacArthur, Hirohito and the American Duel with Japan

(Paperback)

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From the mid-nineteenth century on, America and Japan were caught in an extraordinary political, military and economic duel. This clash was characterised by a cultural incompatibility that was to haunt the negotiations of their two leaders, Emperor Hirohito and General MacArthur.

Hirohito was a remarkable man. Diffident, uncharismatic and apparently obtuse, he survived as god-ruler of Japan for six decades through internal strife, war, defeat, occupation and economic victory. But Hirohito met his equal in MacArthur. Brash and domineering, MacArthur merited the honorary Japanese epithet shogun or 'army leader' for his almost single-handed six year rule over Japan.

In this absorbing dual biography Robert Harvey traces their tense and complex relationship. His broad scope encompasses two great nations in war and peace - a momentous period of history which provides illuminating insight into American actions across the world today.

Reviews

Exhilarating and wildly enjoyable - Simon Sebag-Montefiore on LIBERATORS

No one makes historical narrative move with more energy and elan than Robert Harvey' - Scotsman on COMRADES

Harvey wields his pen like a sabre, slashing with gusto at cant and received wisdom as he leads an exhilarating charge into history - Sunday Telegraph on A FEW BLOODY NOSES

Stirring history, in which heroism and tragedy are brought together on an epic scale - James Fergusson on LIBERATORS

Pacy engaging and brisk in its broad sweep - Daily Telegraph on COMRADES

Fascinating to anyone with an interest in the Second World War - Simon Heffer, Country Life

Fascinating to anyone with an interest in the Second World War - Simon Heffer, Country Life

Author Bio

Robert Harvey has been a columnist for The Daily Telegraph, an assistant editor for The Economist and an MP serving on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. His book Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for Independence was described as 'an exhilarating and wildly enjoyable ride from start to finish' by Simon Sebay-Montefiore. Raymond Seitz, US ex-Ambassador to Britain said of A Few Bloody Noses: The American War of Independence, 'Harvey wields his pen like a sabre, slashing with gusto at the cant and received wisdom.' He lives in London and Wales.