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Judgement at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia

Bass, Gary J.

$47.99

2 in stock

2 in stock

‘A work of singular importance . . . balanced, original, human, accessible, and riveting’ – Philippe Sands, author of East-West Street.

From the prizewinning author of the acclaimed The Blood Telegram, a landmark, magisterial history of the postwar trial of Japan’s leaders as war criminals – and their impact on the modern history of Asia and the world.

In the weeks after Japan finally surrendered to the Allies to end World War II, the victorious powers turned to the question of how to move on from years of carnage and destruction. To them, it was clear that Japan’s militaristic leaders needed to be tried and punished for their crimes.

For the Allied powers, the trials were an opportunity both to render judgment on their vanquished foes and to create a legal framework to prosecute war crimes and prohibit the use of aggressive war. For the Japanese leaders on trial, it was their chance to argue that their war had been waged to liberate Asia from Western imperialism and that the court was no more than victors’ justice.

Gary J. Bass’ Judgement at Tokyo is the product of a decade of research, a magnificent, riveting story of wartime action, dramatic courtroom battles, and the epic formative years that set the stage for the postwar era in the Asia-Pacific.

Review: This important book . . . Magisterial’ — Max Hastings, The Sunday Times
Every so often, a new work emerges of such immense scholarship and weight that it really does add a significant difference to our understanding of the Second World War and its consequences. Judgement in Tokyo is one such, a monumental work in both scale and detail, beautifully constructed and written, leaving the reader not only moved but disturbed as well. — James Holland, The Sunday Telegraph
The word ‘monumental’ is used by reviewers rather too often, but in this case it is entirely deserved . . . Outstanding and detailed . . . Compelling and deeply humane * TLS *
A work of singular importance – balanced, original, human, accessible, and riveting. It is of huge relevance to our times. — Philippe Sands, author of East-West Street
Magisterial . . . A well-crafted, warts-and-all account from which almost no one emerges unscathed. * Financial Times *
A meticulously researched and authoritative account — The Economist, ‘The Best Books of 2023’
Bass has written a massively long and detailed book, always lively and judgmental. He brings out not only the legal arguments, but the colour of the great tribunal itself. * The Observer *

Format: Paperback
Pages: 912
Imprint: Picador
Publication date: 30/01/2024

ISBN: 9781509812752 Category: