Hirohito: Behind the Myth

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

``Armed with new evidence, Behr convincingly argues that Hirohito, far from being an innocent tool of the Japanese military, actually sanctioned military expansionism in the 1930s; did little to reverse a tendency toward battlefield confrontation with the U.S.; was fully informed of preparations for the attack on Pearl Harbor; and, in fact, presided over the war to the end,'' argued PW. Photos. (Sept.)

Library Journal

The late emperor Hirohito has been the subject of several biographies, notably David Bergamini's Japan's Imperial Conspiracy (LJ 12/15/71) and Leonard Mosley's Hirohito: Emperor of Japan (LJ 6/15/66). The life and times of Hirohito remain controversial, however, and there is ample need for an ongoing reassessment by responsible writers. Behr, a Newsweek correspondent, presents a well-researched (though in English-language sources only) study that provides a fascinating and probing look at the life of the 20th century's longest-reigning monarch. Behr argues that a generation of Hirohito apologists have propagated the notion that Hirohito was a ``peace-loving puppet'' who didn't know what his generals and ministers were up to in the 1930s and 1940s; Behr's intention is to ``restore the balance.'' The result, however, is not ``balance'' but a lawyer's brief for the prosecution.-- John Boyle, California State Univ., Chico