{"product_id":"9780241563205","title":"A Short History of Japan","description":"\u003ch3\u003eAuthor: Christopher Harding\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eJapan\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003ch5\u003ePublished on 3 September 2026 by Penguin Books Ltd (Pelican) in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Pelican Books' series.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaperback | 240 pages\u003cbr\u003e111 x 180 x 14 | 144g\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A history that somehow manages to be at once succinct and sweeping: essential reading for anyone interested in this most fascinating of countries' - Tom Holland'The perfect introduction to [Japan's] intriguing society is Christopher Harding’s lively new A Short History of Japan... The book is short, yes – but its scope is long, deep and rich' - Rana Mitter, History Extra, History Books of the Year 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e In this enormously enjoyable introduction to a remarkable country, Christopher Harding traces Japan's rich history over several millennia. Beginning with its earliest coastal communities through to the spread of Buddhism, the rise of the warlords, the promise and menace of the West and Japan's own empire-building, Harding explores how a distinctly Japanese society and culture was forged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on the latest scholarship, A Short History of Japan moves beyond traditional tourist-board clichés to consider Japan's own view of its past, values and culture, from ceramics and theatre to food and architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe result is a sensory, tactile history conveying to the reader much about Japan’s special nature. Harding skilfully shows how these everyday details are intimately bound up with the bigger historical picture, as an expression of the values that have been extraordinarily successful in helping the country to cope with centuries of radical change.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Bookhouse Broughty Ferry","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57429534605687,"sku":"9780241563205","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0357\/3199\/6807\/files\/9780241563205.jpg?v=1788279090","url":"https:\/\/thebookhousebroughtyferry.live\/products\/9780241563205","provider":"The Bookhouse Broughty Ferry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}