- Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Books; Reissue edition (Feb 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0553578545
- ISBN-13: 978-0553578546
- Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 2.5 x 17.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 963,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Webb's vividly imagined thriller arrives with imprimatur of Tom Wolfe, who calls him one of the five most important writers in America today. Does Webb justify this lavish praise? In the year 1945, General MacArthur has brought off the allied triumph in the Pacific. Webb's hero, Captain Jay Marsh, a young aide-de-camp, is happy to serve his hero. But when he discovers that the General has undertaken a strange agreement with the Emperor of Japan, Marsh finds himself dealing with a bizarre scenario in which MacArthur plans to become an American Caesar, ruling over his conquered Japanese subjects while preserving their imperial system. Webb's fascinating and original plot is carried off with considerable style and authority, and he is particularly assured in his characterisation: MacArthur is created with a convincing detail that is cleverly not allowed to eclipse the tormented protagonist Marsh.
Like all the best historical fiction, the day-to-day detail of the forties is sketched in with assurance and the narrative (culminating in the rigged trial of Japan's greatest General) is handled with clarity and precision. It's no surprise that the film rights for The Emperor's General have been sold--but, as a reading experience, this is a book that justifies Wolfe's fulsome praise --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Captain Jay Marsh had never questioned where his ultimate loyalty lay. He had witnessed the bloody horror left behind by the retreating Japanese army during World War II's final days. And he had abandoned his beautiful Filipina fiancée to see his duty through.
But not even Marsh could guess the terrible personal price he would have to pay for his loyalty. He would follow General Douglas MacArthur to Tokyo itself. There he would become the brilliant, egocentric general's confidant, translator, surrogate son--and spy.
Marsh would play a dangerous game of deliberate deceit and brutal injustice in the shadow world of postwar Japan's royal palaces and geisha houses, and recognize that the defeated emperor and his wily aides were exploiting MacArthur's ruthless ambition to become the American Caesar. The Emperor's General is a dramatic human story of the loss of innocence and the seduction of power, about the conflict between honor, duty, and love, all set against an extraordinary historical backdrop.
But not even Marsh could guess the terrible personal price he would have to pay for his loyalty. He would follow General Douglas MacArthur to Tokyo itself. There he would become the brilliant, egocentric general's confidant, translator, surrogate son--and spy.
Marsh would play a dangerous game of deliberate deceit and brutal injustice in the shadow world of postwar Japan's royal palaces and geisha houses, and recognize that the defeated emperor and his wily aides were exploiting MacArthur's ruthless ambition to become the American Caesar. The Emperor's General is a dramatic human story of the loss of innocence and the seduction of power, about the conflict between honor, duty, and love, all set against an extraordinary historical backdrop.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As fiction, this is first-rate, with vivid scenes and excellent characterization of the Philippines and Tokyo in the closing months of World War II. As history it is flawed by numerous errors, which will not be noticed by most readers but grate on my own personal experiences as long-time resident of the Philippines, where from 1941 until February 1945 I a civilian POW; then an Associated Press war correspondent in devastated Manila, later covering the war crimes trials of Yamashita and Homma. For example, Webb discusses only military POWs, ignoring the 7500 American and other Allied civilian men, women and children who remained alive for liberation in February 1945 and even then confuses prison camps. He provides a location for Yamashita's surrender across two major mountain ranges from the actual site. It was the Roosevelt administration that prodded him to provide details on how he planned to try Japanese war criminals. Even historical fiction needs to get the background details right.
Format:Paperback
Some men have greatness thrust upon them - but how do they react, and what changes as wrought by the new powers?
From the backwoods of Arkansas, to the inner sanctum of MacArthur proconsular administration in Tokyo, we grow with Jay Marsh's incredulous rise through the diplomatic machinations of being the supreme commander's monkey boy.
Webb has been there and done it and he writes a book that, standing alone, is thought provoking, but when considered with his knowledge makes you wonder when he crosses the line between fact and fiction. There are real people described - did SE Asia after VJ day really pan out as outlined?
To many Europeans, the Far East was the forgotten war, a much more American effort - books like this serve to educate but do they misinform, too?
Format:Paperback
I agree with previous reviewer - most thoughful and moving book since Birdsong, although much more emphasis on the moral dilemma's and political intrigue than Birdsong.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Douglas MacArthur's aide comes of age, as he changes history
Probably the most insightful, thought-provoking book I've read since Angela's Ashes and Birdsong.
As it was written by a former Secretary of State, the book makes you think... Read more
Published on 17 April 2000
Impressive.
I thought The Triumph and the Glory would be the best WWII novel of the summer, but it has been edged into 2nd place by Webb's outstanding The Emperor's General. Read more
Published on 3 July 1999
A must read
This has to be the best book I have read in a long time. The story of Jay Marsh and his victories and failures of his navigation through post-war Japan and the Philippines is... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 1999
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