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tcovey's review
4.0
If you are 12 years old and need a quick broad-stroke overview of Japan's war effort from the invasion of China to its surrender in 1945, this is the book. It's understandably sanitized but still provides a fair accounting. A short list of excellent additional references are provided but I would add just one caveat to that list, watch "Graveyard of the Fireflies" at your own risk. Although in cartoon format, it's probably the most powerful and emotionally draining movie yet made regarding civilians having to endure the horrors of war. I recommend "The War at Home" for preteens but not "Graveyard of the Fireflies."
Spencer adds a nice touch to this book by including quotes from Japanese citizens and soldiers that help describe events. If you find this method of recounting history enlightening, I highly recommend "Japan At War An Oral History" by Cook and Cook.
And finally, while this book provides a high level overview, there are some nuggets of specificity, such as, the full list of the cities targeted for the atomic bombs.
"The War at Home" is a good starting point to understanding the events in the Pacific theater but a true understanding of motivations, effects and the recurring brutality are to be found elsewhere.
Spencer adds a nice touch to this book by including quotes from Japanese citizens and soldiers that help describe events. If you find this method of recounting history enlightening, I highly recommend "Japan At War An Oral History" by Cook and Cook.
And finally, while this book provides a high level overview, there are some nuggets of specificity, such as, the full list of the cities targeted for the atomic bombs.
"The War at Home" is a good starting point to understanding the events in the Pacific theater but a true understanding of motivations, effects and the recurring brutality are to be found elsewhere.
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