The Economic Aspects of the History of the Civilization of Japan. Three Volume Set Book

This book is simple, interesting , and easy to pick up. It excels at explaining the WHY question. I’ve always wondered why America was so different from other colonies (namely Brazil, my native country). I’ve always been baffled how Americans started out with such a different culture from the very beginning - so stinking individualistic and suspicious of government, but also industrious and self-sufficient right from the start! Why?? The rest of the America’s have not been like that at all. Now I have such a better understanding of the unique circumstances going on in England, France, and Spain that influenced this difference.

Something else I really appreciate about this book is that it very clearly explains and condemns the evils of the time period. Taking other people’s land, slavery, killing entire people groups, etc. At the same time it tells us WHY these people thought they were doing the right thing. It does not justify their actions nor shy away from calling it evil. But clearly the people had their own worldview, and understanding it can help us understand history and ourselves. Why can’t modern history books do this?

However, I don’t think just anyone should read this book. The author is heavy handed with his opinions, he also uses terms to refer to people groups that are unacceptable nowadays (savage, negro, whiteface, etc. depending on which perspective he is speaking from), and the illustrations are hideous caricatures that are pretty offensive to everyone involved. Therefore, I think this book is only appropriate for a mature reader. A young reader will have a hard time grappling with the ideas, and a close-minded reader will throw out the whole book because of the different world view.

Despite of these downsides, I do plan on buying this whole trilogy because it focuses so much on the mindsets and ideas of the time - it puts the facts, people, and actions into a context of worldview. I plan to have my kids read these in high school.