Japan: The Toothless Tiger

Rating:
Summary: Prophetic
Review: A large part of this book is devoted to discussing the threats North Korea and China pose. Now, reviewing the book in January 2003, as North Korea once again threatens Japan and other countries with its nuclear arsenal, this book can be seen as prophetic. Hayes tells it like it is, not like how wet liberals want it to be.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Read
Review: After returning from Singapore, where this book has been a mini sensation,I picked up a copy in WH Smith. I liked the pace: fast and snappy. There was a touch of the Communist Manifesto style at the beginning: There is a specter (sic) haunting Asia. Hayes is obviously playing up to the American readers...At least Hayes has tried to educate them, a thnakless task undoubtedly but a necessary one given their unfortunate preeminence in world afairs.

Although the book should sell well in the United States among the small literate community there, I can not see it chalking up great sales this side of the Atlantic. We tend to be better informed on current affairs in general ( the BBC, civilisation and all that). Therefore, although the Toothless Tiger will be a big help to ignorant Americans, on this side of the pond, it is a different story. We know it all already. And yes, the North Korean leader is an exceptionally arrogant twit with an ego surpassed only by his late father's. Fancy complaining that the Russians would not get 300,000 scholl kids out ot greet him and his silly train. Hayes is right to show the feet of clay of the lunatics who run the asylum known as North Korea.

Rating:
Summary: Red Dragons and Paper Tigers
Review: How refreshing to read a well written analysis of the threat China and North Korea pose both to our way of life and to their own citizens. North Korea, as Hayes points out, atumbles from one famine and one man made (Great Leader made one could say) to the next. Hayes is correct to point out that brutes like the North Korean military only understand one language. Ask anyone who has served there. Hayes also does a good service by pointing out the threat China poses. Look how many incidents we have clashed with them over of late.

Hayes is also correct to show that our Japanese allies are worse than useless. However, Hayes goes much further than that. As well as discussing Taiwan and the South China Sea, he shows precidsely why Japan isa such an emasculated power. He also cogently explains why China runs the risk of imploding. We need another Russia mafia state there like we need a hole in the head.

Hayes has written a good, short book explaining in better and more concise detail than anyone else the poweder keg that is east Asia. To suggest he is urging Japan to unilaterally rearm is the imaginings of some sad soul wanting to wave a liberal flag. Hayes, in conrast, argues the Republican corner - before cutting it to shreds. A neat trick excellently carried out.

Rating:
Summary: Ahead of its time
Review: The book has been ahead of its time. Now in mid-2003, the world's attention is focussed on North-Korea and how Japan and the US should react. Well, readers of this book find little surprising in this turn of events. Prof Hayes does not mince words or pull punches. Those who like engaging and easy-to-read writing style will find it appealing. There are no footnotes and academic references to clutter up the text and reduce readability.

Rating:
Summary: Good Fare
Review: This is the best book I have read on TMD so far. Hayes knows what he is on about. It is a pity Bush abd his cronies do not. Although Hayes shows the Chi coms and North Koreans for the murderous men that they are, he also shows why missiles can't stop them. From Okinawa to Myanmar, hayes gives the best exlpanation to date of the dangers we face, what our Japanese allies must do and what political strategywe must adapt if we do not want world war.