Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War IIEmbracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II
Score Modern
What it's about
When Japan surrendered in 1945, its cities were in ruins and its people starving. For nearly seven years, the American occupation tried to remake the country as a democracy. John Dower tells how the Japanese experienced defeat, from black markets and prostitution to a new constitution and the emperor's survival, and how they made the new order their own.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. It's a landmark history of postwar Japan.
You'll love it if you liked
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
An Artist of the Floating World
Embers of WarGood to know
It's long and dense, with many illustrations.
By the numbers
- Readers73 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics90 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller4 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #52 of the 198 history books we rank
- #150 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #290 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story
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Quick answers
Is Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II worth reading?
Yes. It won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. It ranks #290 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 81.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II about?
When Japan surrendered in 1945, its cities were in ruins and its people starving. For nearly seven years, the American occupation tried to remake the country as a democracy. John Dower tells how the Japanese experienced defeat, from black markets and prostitution to a new constitution and the emperor's survival, and how they made the new order their own.
How long does it take to read Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II?
About 17 hours (692 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II won?
Pulitzer Prize (General Nonfiction) winner (2000); National Book Award (Nonfiction) winner (1999).
What should I read after Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II?
If you liked it, try The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro or Embers of War by Fredrik Logevall.