This book really is a lot more than you bargain for.The title "...from Samurai to Sony..." gave me the impression of a very basic history book on the most popular facets of Japan. This book doesnt talk about how cool samurai's are, or where to get discount sony products, how to make a bonsai tree, sushi or draw manga. It is actually a politic, social and economic review of Japan and its relations with the world, starting from its, possible, origin of 6000 years ago (although likely to be more recent as discussed in the book).The book deals with:-Why Japanese people consider them selves different from the rest of the worlds human population.-How the country was run up to ~1900CE, at which time international influence (which had been strongly repelled) dramatically changed the whole country.-Why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.-How they forged a super power in under 30years (from war torn country).-Why they have such poor international relations.-Why their economy crashed in the '90s (When everywhere else was doing so well).-Current issues with their society, as well as probably future ramifications (aging population and youth rebellion).The book also highlights peace and success of the japanese way of life, however overall it is targeted at westerners who wish to know answers to the questions above (not that the reader knew of these questions, or there global importance, before reading this book).I would say this book is essential before visiting Japan for any extended period of time.It has given me a VERY different perspective of the japanese people and their culture.It's important to try and subjectively compare what is in this book with your own society to not get the wrong idea, that japanese are racist, fascists only looking out for them selves. But that is the case with any countries history.A follow up book by Curtis Andressen would be very interesting, as he leaves us up to 2002 (date published), with many proposed outcomes for the re-emerging Japan, circa 2010.

这本书真的比你讨价还价的要多得多。书名"......从武士到索尼...... "给我的印象是一本非常基本的关于日本最受欢迎的方面的历史书。这本书并没有谈及武士有多酷，或者哪里可以买到打折的索尼产品，如何制作盆景树、寿司或画漫画。它实际上是对日本的政治、社会和经济的回顾，以及它与世界的关系，从它可能的6000年前的起源开始（尽管可能是更近的，正如书中所讨论的）。 这个国家是如何经营到公元1900年的，当时的国际影响（曾被强烈排斥）极大地改变了整个国家。--为什么日本袭击了珍珠港。--他们如何在30年内（从饱受战争蹂躏的国家）打造了一个超级大国。 为什么他们的经济在90年代崩溃了（当其他地方都做得很好的时候）。目前他们社会的问题，以及可能的未来影响（人口老化和青年叛乱）。 我想说的是，这本书在访问日本之前是必不可少的。它让我对日本人和他们的文化有了非常不同的看法。重要的是，要尝试将书中的内容与你自己的社会进行主观比较，以免产生错误的想法，认为日本人是种族主义者，法西斯分子，只顾自己。但任何国家的历史都是如此。柯蒂斯-安德烈森的后续书将非常有趣，因为他把我们带到了2002年（出版日期），并为2010年左右重新崛起的日本提出了许多建议结果。