Book Description
"It is very rare that you get this kind of expertise . . . with this level of communicative ability."-
Daily Yomiuri
Asian Extreme cinema is hot, and this book lays it out in all its gory glory. Patrick Galloway, who last looked at samurai movies in his well-received
Stray Dogs and Lone Wolves, now takes on Asian masters of suspense, exploitation, the supernatural, and bone-chilling, blood-curdling fear and evil. The films featured here are pan-Asian, including Korea and Thailand, and represent a mix of classics and the contemporary cutting edge. Included are viewing tips and overviews of genres and cultures.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read - Setting the Record Straight.......2007-05-19
As an aspiring writer who was extremely impressed by the author's tone and style, as well as a fan of many of the films reviewed in Asia Shock, I am rather bemused by comments made by Vegan Viking from San Francisco. She writes: "Galloway mentions how Western audiences might not find cannibalism in Hong Kong such a stretch to imagine ... he shrugs it off by rationalizing along the lines of 'the Chinese eat a lot of weird food anyways,' implying that because the Chinese occasionally enjoy snake soup, it's only logical that they would break the universally held taboo against eating human flesh. I found this magnificently ignorant." These comments are just plain wrong. The movie in question is Three Extremes, a fictionalized account of real-life events in mainland China, and nowhere in his review does he say "Western audiences might not find cannibalism in Hong Kong such a stretch to imagine." Rather, Galloway discusses Chinese medicine's reliance on the body parts of some endangered species, then writes (pg. 69): "Such regrettable disregard for life has led many in the West to make the misguided leap of logic that Chinese people must not mind eating their own as well, whereas in reality, cannibalism is no doubt as abhorrent to Chinese people as any other group." Where Vegan Viking got the impression that Galloway was saying the exact opposite is beyond me!
Luckily most readers who love these movies and are interested in learning more will get so much from Asia Shock that I can't recommend it enough.
Enthusiastic Summary of Extreme Asian Cinema.......2007-03-22
One of the most vital and exciting developments in the last decade has been the trans-national dissemination of horror films from the east. Often made with one eye firmly on the international market, these films travel very well, without totally foregoing their own cultural specificity. Hideo Nakata's "Ring" has become the totemic film from which all other J-horror has been inspired and although I think western audiences have finally tired of the creepy kids and the long haired ghosts, these films remain persistently innovative and challenging. Galloway's very readable and entertaining book brings together a number of films from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand, that could be loosely categorised as Extreme Asia. It must be noted that Galloway's book is an entirely subjective summary of films which have left an impression on him. It is in no means academic, which lends itself to a wider audience. Therefore Asia Shock is more a device to generate debate and to encourage those with more explorative tastes to seek out material from more exotic climes. In this respect the book succeeds totally. I particularly liked the book because of the number of South Korean films include; films such as "Oldboy," Tale of Two Sisters," and "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" are nothing short of masterpieces and deserve too be recognised by a wide audience. This is Mr. Galloway's quest with Asia Shock and I for one certainly hope he succeeds.
Asia Shock is the connoisseur's definitive guide to the classics of this pop-culture genre........2007-03-06
Written by multinational traveler and lifelong student of Asian film culture and philosophy Patrick Galloway, Asia Shock: Horror and Dark Cinema from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand is a movie buff's guide to the horror and shock cinema of the far east. Asia Shock is not a comprehensive encyclopedia of all films in the genre, but rather a "reviewer's choice" of top shocking picks, some with in-depth reviews and some with capsule reviews, nearly all with extensive notes on unique cultural paradigms, viewing tips, and genre considerations. Focusing on over 50 critical and fan-favorite gory, chilling, and startling Asian horror movies, Asia Shock is the connoisseur's definitive guide to the classics of this pop-culture genre.
Sometimes crosses the line between connoisseur and otaku.......2007-02-28
Overall, as someone who enjoys "dark cinema" from Asia, I found this book very enjoyable, not only to learn about new titles that I may enjoy, but also to explore another person's perspective on films that I have already seen. Galloway definitely displays a genuine passion for the subject matter, as well as a profound knowledge of many aspects of Asian art and cinema. In addition to sitting back and enjoying the movies, he has clearly done a good deal of research on them.
However, I do take issue with the way in which some of the narrative veers towards the festishistic 'exotification' of Asia. Female cinemaphiles in particular will probably be put off by Galloway's repeated transformation into a dirty old Wan Chai cheek-toucher, unprofessionally slavering over the assets of various Asian actresses rather than over their performances.
I was also disappointed by an entry describing a Hong Kong cannibalism flick: Galloway mentions how Western audiences might not find cannibalism in Hong Kong such a stretch to imagine. However, rather than attributing such attitudes to racism and xenophobia, he shrugs it off by rationalizing along the lines of 'the Chinese eat a lot of weird food anyways,' implying that because the Chinese occasionally enjoy snake soup, it's only logical that they would break the universally held taboo against eating human flesh. I found this magnificently ignorant.
If you are a person who hates even the slightest hint of a spoiler, then this book is definitely not for you. Understandably, it's very difficult to write a movie review without revealing some of the plot, and Galloway is often put in the difficult position of writing about a movie that simply cannot be described or explored without tearing the gift wrapping of the film just a little bit. Ultimately, this book is best as a companion piece, and readers may wish to do as I did and skip the entries for the films they haven't yet seen, while revisiting and gaining new perspective on films they have already enjoyed.
Brilliant!.......2006-11-28
I picked up this book because I already have the same author's book on Samurai movies. It's clear that Patrick Galloway has a deep and discerning love for this material -- the world of Asian cinema is rich and rewarding, but if you're not too familiar with it it can seem too daunting to explore. That's where this book comes in: it not only looks at specific films and genres, but it puts everything into the larger context, so you can really learn about the deeper aspects of what is going on in a particular film. Whether you are new to Asian film, or a long-time aficionado of these particular horror films, there's a lot to learn, and this book is a fun and comprehensive way to really dig deeper.
Book Description
Whether you're conducting business, traveling for pleasure, or even relocating abroad, one mistake with customs or etiquette can leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth. International travelers, now more than ever, are not just individuals from the United States, but ambassadors and impression makers for the country as a whole. Newly updated, redesigned, and resized for maximum shelf appeal for travelers of all ages, Culture Shock! country and city guides make up the most complete reference series for customs and etiquette you can find. These are not just travel guides; these are guides for a way of life.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative.......2007-08-13
I ordered several books for my grand daughter who was moving to Okinawa. She said that they were very helpful and made the transition easier.
An excellent book with misunderstood humor.......2007-05-03
Having known Sean Bramble since 1989, when he got me hooked on Strat-o-Matic Baseball over the July 4 weekend as my co-worker for a newspaper in Maryland, I can safely say that anyone who thinks Sean does not like Japan, or the Japanese, is dead wrong.
Sean has a very acerbic wit, and most of what he says and writes is tongue-in-cheek. I also point you to his Japanese WIFE, daughter and son, whom I refer to as Mini-Gaijin-Me, as evidence that he most likely doesn't hate the Japanese. Sean is a lifelong Monty Python fan, just like myself, and his humor reminds me of it at some times. And yes, some of the things one sees in Japan are laughable by American standards (and vice versa, like our inability to work together when times get tough, at least since, say, 1945).
If he didn't like living there or interacting with the people of Japan, I don't think he'd have stayed there for 15 years. Just a guess.
The book (since this is a book review, after all) is well-written, typical of the way Sean describes things -- with a laugh waiting around every corner -- and covers a great variety of things. In having the chance to speak with him over the Christmas break about his work on it, I see just how much time he has devoted to explaining and describing the experience of a roundeyed galoot in the Land of the Rising Sun.
It's worth the time and money. Of course, having an autographed copy might make me a tad biased, but if this book stunk, I'd certainly tell you so. It's 240 or so pages of interesting and unseful information on what it's like to live in Japan as a westerner. While geared toward the British by its verbiage, it's still clear, understandable, and, as I've said, a good read. I finished it in two just-before-bed sessions, and was a real page-turner. Birnbaum sucks. Go Bramble!
PS - A note to Sean: I *WILL* bat Pee Wee Reese third, whether you like it or not. Nyaah!!
Negative!!!.......2006-08-22
This *is* in reference to the P. Sean Bramble version. It's awful. I don't know why they would hire someone so disdainful to write a book about another culture. I find myself skimming this book just to find one comment that DOESN'T bash the Japanese. I read this book because I was excited to move to Japan and I think I am going to stop reading it because it is having the complete opposite affect on me. The author finds the need to commment endlessley on his opinions on Japan, which are 99% negative. I am reading the entertianment section now where he drones on about how much he hates Anime (um, I think most of the population disagrees with you there!) and how stupid Japanese TV shows are (as if American news is not as biased and gossipy as Japanese). Seriously, don't buy this book unless you want to be talked out of going to Japan!
Author doesn't seem to like Japan very much.......2006-05-16
I'm an American, and I spent a few months living in Japan on my own a few years ago. I'm going back for a month-long trip soon. I picked up this book, thinking it would be helpful. Well, it does have some helpful information that you don't get from the usual Japan guides (such as the difference between uchi and soto), which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 star. My complaint is that the author (P. Sean Bramble) doesn't seem to like Japan very much. The book is extremely negative about the Japanese. Yes, every culture has some downsides and Japan is no exception, but I found most of the book to be focused on the negative with very little written on the positive. I didn't realize it until I was 75% through the book and thought, "Why am I going to this awful place again?" Then it hit me, what a downer this book has been! I flipped back through what I had read and was surprised to see how much the author focused solely on negative aspects of Japan. So the problem is that I don't think he presents a realistic view of Japan and the Japanese culture - by overemphasizing the negative, he doesn't present a balanced view. For example, after you read the health care section (which says doctors suck and pharmacists are a joke and the dentists are awful), you would think Japan would be the worst place in the world for health care. That's simply not true - Japanese health care is excellent despite its flaws. Perhaps he was trying to injecting a little reality into the normally too-sunny descriptions of Japanese culture, but he goes too far the other way and in the process loses his ability to describe Japan accurately. I also question his ability to appreciate the nuances and beauty of Japanese culture -- this quote tells it all: "When people ask me to explain the real reason I've stayed here all these years, I shrug, scratch my head, and say 'Beer.'"
Clarification re multiple editions.......2006-03-22
Note P. Sean Bramble's comment that his authorship of this book began in 2004. Amazon has scrambled his edition with what seems to be a previous edition by Rex Shelley in 1992. The images and the "look inside" links take you back and forth to wrong web pages... The Shelley book, which seems to be the one to avoid, is ISBN 1558680713.
I will order what I hope is the Bramble book, and hope that Amazon straightens out this mess.
Book Description
5'4" American Male MIT Graduate, Joins Company X Japan. Join me as I enter the Japanese social and business world through a variety of humorous, and at times, serious anecdotes. Whether it's the mad dash from the train for the 8:30 bells at work, or my female MIT colleague serving tea, or my manager telling me always to be vague in business meetings, or simply being in a public bath and everyone pointing at my chest hair, you won't want to miss my adventure! As I explore Japan, I will share my views with you on the positives and negatives, challenges, and changes I see for the future.
Customer Reviews:
Required Reading for my MBA Intl. Business class.......2005-05-16
Do you ever find yourself in a large bookstore overwhelmed by the sheer number of titles, and wonder how so many new ideas continue to emerge in such mass quantity? Well, this is one of those books that keep us returning to bookstores with faith in the fact that we will not always leave disappointed! This book is unique in its perspective on a subject I am interested in as a professor of international business (Zicklin School of Business; Baruch College, City University of New York) - cross cultural understanding. Written in a pen indicative of ample experience in Japan's corporate world, yet from an outside Western perspective, it reveals nuances of Japanese business culture that only an expatriate can easily discern. "No Elbow Room" is blunt to a pain yet carefully objective and fair in its exposé of little known tidbits of Japanese culture and business protocol outside of the Island nation itself. Yet while set in Japan, I found myself easily adapting lessons learned to virtually any cross-cultural setting, prompting me to list this book as required reading in my "Foreign Markets, Cultures, Regimes" class. This is a self-authored text, that no doubt a large publishing house will soon discover and market to the masses. The book is short (179 pages) and a quick yet informative read. I recommend it for not just international business scholars, but as an aid for sociology class discussions, gender-relations discussions, for anyone interested in international relations, and particularly for anyone wishing to travel to Japan, particularly from the West. And if you think you're well traveled and immune to culture shock, you must pick up this book!
A Trip into the Culture of Sameness.......2005-04-23
No Elbow Room is a quick and informative read into the Cultural mind set of Japanese relationships. It opens up for examination a world of contradicting correctness and sheds light on some of my own experiences in Japan. You will read it from cover to cover enjoying the wonderful illustrations and lighthearted humor.
Fun, Fun, Fun.......2005-02-23
Fun, Fun, Fun. A funny and informative documentary of first-hand experiences in Japan. A must if you are considering working for a few years for a company in Tokyo. Also a must if you want to get insight into the workings of a culture totally different from American and European cultures. The illustrations are hilarious. The book is precise with marvelous drawings. There are informative comments on improving the lot of women in Japan. Be prepared for a fun ride!
Fascinating Read!.......2005-01-22
Kenneth writes a detailed and fascinating read. What an experience. Having stayed in Japan myself for a while, I found No Elbow Room to confirm some things I had suspected about living in Japan. Great book!
Fascinating Look.......2005-01-12
I think that this book is a fascinating look into living and experiencing a new culture. I think anyone who has ever had the opportunity to work in a different country and experience a new culture can relate to the humorous, shocking, as well as serious experiences that Mark has as he is a new grad of MIT and finds himself working for a Japanese company in Japan for the first time. His humor as well as insights into Japanese culture make this a fascinating book.
While this book is a joy to read,it is also very informative about Japanese culture, including areas such as Corporate Japan, the education system in Japan, family life in Japan, and social expectations,which I believe are often misunderstood by many Americans.
Average customer rating:
- Bought second hand..... Unfortunately no refunds given
- Complete rubbish
- An intriguing examination of what makes them tick
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The Hollow Doll (A Little Box of Japanese Shocks) (A Little Box of Japanese Shocks)
William A. Bohnaker
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Japan
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Social Theory
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Culture
| Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0345364406
Release Date: 1990-03-31 |
Customer Reviews:
Bought second hand..... Unfortunately no refunds given.......2005-09-11
If you are looking for something actually educational about Japan and it's secrets... keep looking.
This volume is an extended rant by an obviously disatisfied outsider who managed to learn that Japan is a society where rule dictates action (SHOCK!) and not reason or free thought. Oddly enough, the author was astute enough to descern even some of the more obsure dictates of Japanese society, yet seems to have been completely dumbstruck by the concept that his time in Japan would be better served attempting to fit into the rules instead of acting like a dumbstruck tourist. This book comes off as little more then a baby "waaaa" rant that Japan isn't a western nation, foreigners are not equal to Japanese, and no.. you're opinion really isn't wanted. I suspect half or more of the authors semi-fictional difficulties with the Japanese could have been easily avoided had he merely followed the rules he clearly knew enough about to write in the book.
Complete rubbish.......2004-02-02
/The Hollow Doll/ is a useless adventure in xenophobia. It has absolutely nothing going for it-- it is terribly overwritten, so much that the last page of the last chapter is exactly page 250, and you can *tell* that's what the author was aiming for. He embellishes every tiny aspect of Japan that is not the same as the United States into a three-hundred-word essay, and some aspects that are. For example, we learn that the author wants to kill dogs that bark at night, as well as people walking their dogs during the day, and furthermore he positively hates women who go shopping. Then, to make it relevant to his book, he adds the xenophobic part by describing all three occurrences as if they only ever happened in Japan.
He goes on at length about something that, if he really cared about the quality of his writing, he would know was an American myth-- the suicide rate of Japan. In reality, the United States has a higher suicide rate than Japan in all categories, and both pale in comparison to some Eastern European countries. But in the twisted world of /The Hollow Doll/, ritual seppuku is a Japanese pastime, like rice planting or gazing at Fuji-san. Oh, those crazy Japanese! When will they ever learn?
The worst thing about this book is that I can't even throw it out, because I am worried that someone else will pick it up and be misguided by all this silliness. So, I keep it safe on my bookshelf. The best thing about this book is that it is good for a laugh. A nervous laugh.
An intriguing examination of what makes them tick.......2002-09-08
The Japanese aren't like you think they are. As Bohnaker so thoroughly demonstrates, they aren't even like *they* think they are. The essential European (and therefore American) mind-set is rational, based on ancient Greece, Rome, the Medieval Church, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution. Westerners ask "why?" The Japanese share none of that history and depend instead on pattern, and especially formula. They ask "what?" For society to work, everyone simply has to behave the same way, every time, in the expected fashion. The famous Japanese consensus is not a rational principal, "wisely deduced from the need to produce cooperative action" -- that?s a Western extrapolation. Where society in the West is supported by an internal structure of reason and principal, what he calls the Japanese social psyche is held together by a "bubble of agreement supported by nothing but itself." And who decides what people should agree to? Tradition and authority, more often than not. American soldiers were baffled at the end of World War II when the "maniacal" Japanese simply ceased fighting, virtually overnight, and became polite and friendly. But they quit because the Emperor told them to, just as they had previously fought tooth and nail because the generals told them to. Of course, those in authority -- political leaders, the corporate boss -- frequently take advantage of this mind-set for their own ends. The author examines the Japanese educational system, the attitude toward public drunkenness, the real reason behind anarchic driving behavior (inability to identify authority), and the casual racism endemic in Japan, and a great deal more. However, when this book was published in 1990, as a result of years of a strong yen and much wider exposure to Western ways of doing things, the Japanese, especially the younger generation and the women, were beginning to resist their own traditions. It would be very interesting if Bohnaker were to write a follow-up volume a decade later, now that Japan has suffered serious economic setbacks.
Book Description
Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular "Culture Shock!" series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. "Culture Shock!" country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. "Culture Shock!" practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. "Culture Shock!" at your Door guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And "Culture Shock!" Success Secrets guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.
Each "Culture Shock!" title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.
Customer Reviews:
I've cut down a lot of my "ugly American" acts because I have more insight..........2007-05-29
I was stationed overseas for about 1 1/2 years before I read the book. Many questions I had were answered. This book explains a lot of the everyday things you'll see/notice in Japan. Not much of a history book (which wasn't what I was looking for @ the time) but a very modern explanation of all the strange things Japanese people do.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that is going to live in Japan for an extended period of time.
Disappointing.......2007-03-04
The book does contain usefull information, but it left me with an awkward feeling after reading.
It describes the 'typically Japanese things' from a personal western point of view, without explaining why, how, what, etc.
-Japan is a weird and silly country, but there are nice temples-
Or is it the writer that is the culture shock ?
If you want an objective book about Japan, keep searching.
An insider's true advice.......2005-12-13
As an administrator in a ESL school, where 10% of our students come from Japan, and at least 10% of our ESL teachers trainees plan on going to Japan to teach English, Culture Shock Japan was an wonderful discovery for me! P. Sean Bramble unveiled the cultural mystery step by step from every aspect of life. It's a great reference book for anyone, no matter whether you are planning a trip to Japan, moving to Japan for a long period of time, your work involves dealing with Japanese culture like mine, or you are simply curious about this modern and ancient eastern country. One of my favorite things about the book are the hilarious little stories that Bramble collected from his own 12 years of experience living and working in Japan, which gave me many giggles through out the reading.
Those stories are particularly funny to me, because they often echo my own experience of of culture shock when I first immigrated to the United States from China 7 years ago. Although, I am completely annoyed when people get confused between Japan and China, there are after all lots of similarities when it comes to clashes between Asian and western cultures.
I also admire the fact that the author was willing to take the risk of being accused as negative or judgmental to honestly point out the frustrating reality of living and dealing with a new culture in a tongue in cheek manner. Unlike promotional travel books, which only portray the wonders of a destination, this book gives unvarnished insight into a country where modernity meets ancient traditions, efficiency is created by rules but also destroyed by rules. It gives insider's advices on how a new comer can be prepared to begin understanding, embracing, and even having a bit of fun with the culture he is about to clash into. As I closed the book, I felt as if I had just finished a tour lead by an experienced open heart with a true sense of humor. I am now much more ready for a real trip to Japan.
Average customer rating:
- Wrong Turn
- You too can turn Japanese!
- The best expatriate-in-Japan book ever!
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Turning Japanese
David Galef
Manufacturer: Permanent Press (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1579620108 |
Book Description
A young American seeks work in Japan.
Customer Reviews:
Wrong Turn.......2001-04-10
I wish to enlighted interested readers to an important point: there is another book on this subject by the same name, Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei, by David Mura. Vive la difference! While Galef's attempt at the gaijin novel may be entertaining to those who don't know better, it is hardly the best book on the subject; it may not even be an okay one. Mura's book, on the other hand, is a masterpiece. No wonder. Mura is one of Japanese-America's foremost poet/authors. He wrote the book while working in Japan on a literary fellowship. It is a masterful work of creative nonfiction, relentlessly honest and achingly authentic. Couldn't put it down. And I've read so many books on the same subject that I'm beginning to think that I'M turning Japanese. I also lived there for 13 years, working in the word biz, so I know whereof I speak. Please read Mura's book. Then decide for yourself.
You too can turn Japanese!.......2000-10-08
A "just-about-as-accurate-as-it-gets" account of a young man who comes to Asia to fight off the post-graduation blues, discover himself, and get away from the baggage of home. Main character Cricket Collins comes over on a teaching internship, loses his job, finds a new one, gets over his culture shock and actually learns something about Japan. He picks up a nice girl, somehow remains faithful to her, then tries to sort out his life as he acclimatizes to his new world. I found this book quite accurate in its depictions of the "foreign ghetto" of English teachers in Japan, namely the nutty types that end up here as well as the types of situations that they get into. Some of Cricket's experience mirrored mine in an eerie way, none less than the fact that he ended up living in the same town that I do! The author's style is satisfying and reads well, and he renders the language of Japanese characters in the book quite comfortably for the most part - something that would be quite tricky for someone who hasn't lived for a long time in Japan to do. Trips to Korea, China, and New York highlight the book and keep it interesting. With the last chapter of the book, the author veers wildly in his intent and changes the course of the novel drastically by dealing with the Cricket's ideosyncracies quite directly - I am pretty sure I understand what he was trying to do and find it quite amazing, a rare effort in the field of literature and I admire his dedication to his vision although it may give other readers whiplash. A new second-to-last chapter set in America could have softened the blow, but I'm not really complaining. This book has probably only been read by five or six people, a real shame.
The best expatriate-in-Japan book ever!.......2000-09-18
Forget Bicycle Days, forget Ransom, this is the only novel that captures what it is *really* like to live as an expatriate in Japan. I've lived in Japan for over 8 years and believe me, this is the only one that gets it right. Galef has created the archetype for the disillusioned English teacher in Japan and his name is Cricket Collins. Don't read that horrible Dave Barry Does Japan book, read this. Highly entertaining and informative. Buy one for all your friends who are thinking about living in Japan.@
Product Description
4 Culture Shock! Book Set; Italy; Australia; Germany; Japan; Chicago At Your Door. (Culture Shock)
Average customer rating:
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Culture Shock and Japanese-american Relations: Historical Essays
Sadao Asada
Manufacturer: University of Missouri Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Japan
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Relations
| International
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Political Science
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0826217451
Release Date: 2007-06-15 |
Product Description
Ever since Commodore Perry sailed into Uraga Channel, relations between the United States and Japan have been characterized by culture shock. Now a distinguished Japanese historian critically analyzes contemporary thought, public opinion, and behavior in the two countries over the course of the twentieth century, offering a binational perspective on culture shock as it has affected their relations. In these essays, Sadao Asada examines the historical interaction between these two countries from 1890 to 2006, focusing on naval strategy, transpacific racism, and the atomic bomb controversy. For each topic, he offers a rigorous analysis of both American and Japanese perceptions, showing how cultural relations and the interchange of ideas have been complex and occasionally destructive.
Book Description
Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular CULTURE SHOCK! series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. CULTURE SHOCK! country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. CULTURE SHOCK! practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. CULTURE SHOCK! AT YOUR DOOR guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And CULTURE SHOCK! SUCCESS SECRETS guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.
Each CULTURE SHOCK! title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty good installment in an excellent series.......2005-06-22
Outside the U.S., my two favorite cities in the world are London and Tokyo, and it's far more difficult to find reliable, up-to-date information on the latter, especially with the economic ups and downs Japan has experienced in the past decade. (London mostly just keeps on keeping on.) This series is aimed not at the tourist but at the person who expects to be living, and probably working, in a new cultural environment for an extended period. Sure, you want to know about restaurants and what sights to see, but of more immediate importance is discovering how you go about getting the electricity turned on, and figuring out the subway system, and -- especially in a non-European country like Japan -- knowing how not to look like an idiot and avoid offending your host. The author covers all those things and many more, with sections on introducing children to Tokyo (they'll learn the language much more quickly than you), transportation (forget buying a car), the health care system (keep plenty of cash on hand for emergency medical treatment, because most hospitals and clinics don't take plastic and hardly anyone in Tokyo accepts checks), and many other subjects of interest to the new arrival. My only complaint is that the book received insufficient editing; there are far too many typos, missing words, and awkward sentences. And the index, frankly, is pathetic. But what the author actually has to say is very much worth hearing.
Books:
- Asterix in Corsica (Asterix)
- AT NATURE'S PACE: Farming and the American Dream
- Barcelona and Modernity: Picasso, Gaudi, Miro, Dali
- Battling the Inland Sea: Floods, Public Policy, and the Sacramento Valley
- Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World)
- Born to Win: A Lifelong Struggle to Capture the America's Cup
- Ciao! (with Audio CD)
- Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life
- Dark Noon
- Day & Overnight Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, 2nd (Day & Overnight Hikes - Menasha Ridge)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Migration: The Controversies and the Evidence
- Frommer's 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up
- Beethoven, the Man and the Artist, As Revealed in His Own Words
- Clear, Correct, Concise E-Mail: A Writing Workbook for Customer Service Agents, Fourth Edition
- Coreldraw 12: The Official Guide
- How Doctors Think
- Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, 2nd Edition
- Online Accounting Information Systems: Laboratory Text Using Realworld Practical Accounting System a
- Economics: Hits on the Web, Mankiw Edition With InfoTrac College Edition
- Gap Creek : The Story Of A Marriage
J-Horror: The Definitive Guide to The Ring, The Grudge and Beyond
Nightmare, USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents
DVD Delirium: The International Guide to Weird and Wonderful Films on Dvd
DVD Delirium: The International Guide to Weird And Wonderful Films on DVD: Redux
Stray Dogs & Lone Wolves: The Samurai Film Handbook
