The Japanese

A History in Twenty Lives

By: Christopher Harding

Narrated by: Christopher Harding

Brought to you by Penguin.

Chris Harding's enormously enjoyable new book distils Japan's long, complex and fascinating history into the stories of twenty remarkable individuals. These vivid and entertaining portraits take the reader from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to the life of the current empress, Masako. We encounter shamans and warlords, poets and revolutionaries, scientists, artists and adventurers - each offering insights of their own into this extraordinary place.

For anyone new to Japan, this book is the ideal introduction. For anyone already deeply involved with it, this is a book filled with surprises and pleasures.

© Christopher Harding 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Critic reviews

Skilled, ambitious, mightily impressive ... Harding turns out to be as adept at describing the country's artistic development as he is at unpicking its brutal politics. Another of his talents is a sharp eye for the telling quote that makes these distant presences tangible ... a marvellous read, full of startling information. (Waldemar Januszczak)

Splendid ... It's an effective way of telling an unfamiliar story, leavening the course of social change with plenty of enjoyable individual details. (Dominic Sandbrook)

An enjoyable romp through the ages across the Japanese archipelago ... Harding is in his element ... A tour de force, this imaginative book may well be the "ideal introduction" for anyone new to Japan ... Vividly written, there are certainly some interesting surprises to savour along the way. (Andrew Cobbing)

A fresh and fascinating perspective ... By shifting focus without losing the renowned figures or the sweeping trends but rather leavening them with formerly unsung individuals, Harding is able to say something new about the history of Japan and reinvigorate old stories. As such, this book can act as a primer for the archipelago's long and complex story, or as a refreshing take on familiar periods for those already well-versed in the emperors, shoguns and battlefields. (Iain Maloney)

The people included in this look at the lives of 20 of Japan's most notable characters are not, it's fair to say, household names, but historian and broadcaster Christopher Harding brings them to life with warmth and insight. Together, they offer a great primer to the nation's expansive, dynamic story.

Two Thousand Years Never Flew By So Fast

Rarely can an author cover so much time and make it enjoyable and cohesive throughout. I read this as a physical book and have since gotten the audiobook too; it's read by the author in his smooth British accent! Japan is wonderful because they have retained what is ancient while mastering modernity - it's all in this book.

ENJOYABLE

I am surprised that there are no reviews of this book.
I have studied Japan and its history extensively and this book adds much to my knowledge.
The author talks about so many aspects of Japanese life and history.
An interesting fact, how Buddhism plays a role in Japanese life and philosophy.
In studying Buddhism, I was aware of this, but having it mentioned in a detailed fashion is refreshing.
The author as the narrator does an excellent job.
His book “The light of Asia”, a history of Western fascination with the East is next on my program.
My thanks to all involved, JK.