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Summary: A wonderfully crafted journey through the aftermath of WWII
Comment: Some men have greatness thrust upon them - but how do they react, and what changes as wrought by the new powers? From the backwoods of Arkansas, to the inner sanctum of MacArthur proconsular administration in Tokyo, we grow with Jay Marsh's incredulous rise through the diplomatic machinations of being the supreme commander's monkey boy.
Webb has been there and done it and he writes a book that, standing alone, is thought provoking, but when considered with his knowledge makes you wonder when he crosses the line between fact and fiction. There are real people described - did SE Asia after VJ day really pan out as outlined?
To many Europeans, the Far East was the forgotten war, a much more American effort - books like this serve to educate but do they misinform, too?
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Summary: Wonderful - best read of 2000 so far.
Comment: I agree with previous reviewer - most thoughful and moving book since Birdsong, although much more emphasis on the moral dilemma's and political intrigue than Birdsong.
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Summary: Douglas MacArthur's aide comes of age, as he changes history
Comment: Probably the most insightful, thought-provoking book I've read since Angela's Ashes and Birdsong.As it was written by a former Secretary of State, the book makes you think whether its supposedly fictional nature covers a few nuggets of truth. If you're interested in the aftermath of the Pacific War, Japanese and Filipino cultures, war crimes accountability and General MacArthur, you should definitely read it.
Makes you think why the Emperor wasn't persecuted, why MacArthur is such a tough ass, why Yamashita was reponsible for the rape of Manila (or was he?) etc.
The book's also very well-written with its rich descriptive narration and thought-provoking stance of the young narrator, whom you'll definitely come to like and perhaps identify with.
In a nutshell, it's only a matter of time before it's turned into a movie. Definitely go and grab the nearest copy that you can find, you won't reget it.
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Summary: Impressive.
Comment: I thought The Triumph and the Glory would be the best WWII novel of the summer, but it has been edged into 2nd place by Webb's outstanding The Emperor's General. Insightful, fascinating, revealing of a culture and time very alien to American experience, this book is a great read.
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Summary: A must read
Comment: This has to be the best book I have read in a long time. The story of Jay Marsh and his victories and failures of his navigation through post-war Japan and the Philippines is masterfully told by Mr. Webb. I was totally absorbed in this story and could never put the book down, reading it cover to cover in one sitting. A must read for anyone who has even the smallest interest in Eastern Asia.
