Historian/journalist Downer (The Shogun’s Queen) has created a delightful and illuminating read about Japan’s long history. Her book covers prehistoric times through the present-day. This work has the rare quality of being both scholarly and approachable for the non-expert. Some of the book’s numerous highlights include sections about the early emperors, the arrival of Buddhism, the rise of the shoguns and samurais, the Meiji Restoration, World War II, and much more. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture. This title could serve as a fun read for a history buff, or even a textbook for an introductory course on the country. VERDICT Essential reading for both general audiences and scholars who are interested in an engaging overview of Japan’s complex history. Pair with Richard Tames’s A Traveller’s History of Japan, which also offers an overview of Japan’s history but with a focus on information for tourists.