Inventing Japan: 1853-1964

For a short book, in a small format, it does a good job of a summary, or executive summary, of Japan from 1853 to 1964.

This covers the period from when Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in his black ships to the isolated country which politically wanted nothing to do with outsiders, through to the period post World War II when Japan was occupied by the American Military, and on until 1964.

Buruma moves through events in a careful and considered way, covering all the basics in what feels like a thorough explanation, but as you can imagine with a small book, it doesn't pause too long for analysis. He covers the people involved in equal detail, but makes a solid effort to describe Japanese culture and how the common people interpreted the major changes occurring around them.

While this book won't do much for those with a deep knowledge of Japan, or for academics, it provides a simple baseline of knowledge summary for the beginner like me.

3.5 stars, rounded up.