From Hiroshima With Love: The Allied Military Governor's Remarkable Story of the Rebuilding of Japan's Business and Industry After Wwii

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Summary: Tells the human side of History...the years 1945-1970.
Review: As Author, I tried to tell the human side of History...the years 1945 to 1970 when a few Americans helped channel the energy, brains and enthusiam of the Japanese people for Japan to emerge from the ashes of World War II as a strong Democratic country and valuable asset to the free world. I am convinced now that it was made possible by three things: Truth, Love and Freedom. From Hiroshima With Love (25 years in the making from the detailed diaries and documents of my father) reads like a novel, detailing history through the eyes of one American Navy Commander turned businessman who fell in love with the country and one special woman and stayed 27 years to help. I found the book has been a hit with everyone who has read it; particularly Veterans of WWII, historians, business people and Asian-Americans. It tells how to build relationships; understand the Japanese; and do business with them. The quarter-century of history of which Americans should be most proud.

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Summary: Disappointed - book implies martial infidelty is OK.
Review: I was looking forward to a book about Hiroshima. Although it did talk a little about Hiroshima, it is mostly a story about Ray's father (Wally) and his "adventures" in Japan after World War II. It seems the main purpose of this book is to show how "smart" his father was. This may be true but I was deeply disappointed that this "smart" father didn't care more about his wife and marriage vows. I guess my biggest disappointment is the somewhat cavalier way the infidelity is treated; as if there was really nothing wrong with it. Any respect I had for Wally went out the window as the story progressed and he eventually simply dumps his wife for his Japanese girlfriend. It is too bad Ray (the author) didn't see this as a more serious matter and acknowledge it as one of Wally's weaknesses instead of tacitly accepting it. Although that was my biggest problem with the book, I also thought there was too much made of Wally's "accomplishments." It seems that Wally was really just trying to keep a job while having a heck of a good time with his new girlfriend and other Japanese friends. Too bad the book didn't talk more about Hiroshima and how it came back after the devastation of the A-bomb.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed - book implies martial infidelty is OK.
Review: I was looking forward to a book about Hiroshima. Although it did talk a little about Hiroshima, it is mostly a story about Ray's father (Wally) and his "adventures" in Japan after World War II. It seems the main purpose of this book is to show how "smart" his father was. This may be true but I was deeply disappointed that this "smart" father didn't care more about his wife and marriage vows. I guess my biggest disappointment is the somewhat cavalier way the infidelity is treated; as if there was really nothing wrong with it. Any respect I had for Wally went out the window as the story progressed and he eventually simply dumps his wife for his Japanese girlfriend. It is too bad Ray (the author) didn't see this as a more serious matter and acknowledge it as one of Wally's weaknesses instead of tacitly accepting it. Although that was my biggest problem with the book, I also thought there was too much made of Wally's "accomplishments." It seems that Wally was really just trying to keep a job while having a heck of a good time with his new girlfriend and other Japanese friends. Too bad the book didn't talk more about Hiroshima and how it came back after the devastation of the A-bomb.

Rating:
Summary: Unique!
Review: This personal, behind-the-scenes account of the occupation of Japan is the only book I've come across on this subject in spite of my interest in WWII history. I found it to be educational and fascinating.