Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times

By John Whitney Hall,

Book cover of Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times

Book description


Japan: From Prehistory to Modern Times has a heavy emphasis upon the premodern period of Japanese history. No attempt has been made to provide the usual kind of textbook completeness. Hall’s fascination with Japanese history lies within the manner in which Japan’s political and social institutions have changed and diversified…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The best way to start one’s reading about Japanese history is to pick a short overview written by an expert who writes well. This decades-old book is a splendid example of that and still the best in my opinion. Hall was an American who grew up in prewar Japan and spent his later years as a distinguished scholar of premodern Japanese history at Yale University. The book is a joy to read and identifies the main historic events from prehistoric time up through the American occupation that ended in 1952.

From David's list on captivating Japanese history.

Want books like Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times.

Browse books like Japan from Prehistory to Modern Times

Book cover of They Came to Japan: An Anthology of European Reports on Japan, 1543-1640
Book cover of The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan
Book cover of The Politics of Oligarchy: Institutional Choice in Imperial Japan

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Japan, India, and China?

Japan 516 books
India 483 books
China 646 books