Emperor's General
Book Reviews from amazon.com

I want to contact the Author! I am visiting the Philippines, February 12, 2001
Reviewer: Scott Schroeder from Chicago, IL United States

This book was great! I was riveted through the entire story line. This book offers great insight into MacArthur, the Philippines, and the Second World War.

This book convinced me to study the Philippines in a class at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business titled "The Politics and Economics of Development". Soon I will travel to the Philippines to complete this class.

I desperately want to talk to the author! Can anyone help me contact the author of this book?

Thanks, Scott

Ha! Surprised I liked it so much, November 29, 2000
Reviewer: Charse Yun (see more about me) from LA, CA

Seems to me that the people who would read this book are white, middle-class conservative men with some link to the military--sorry about the generalization if it seems unfair. Moreover, the book is written in that unsophisticated prose style that I usually associate with popular consumer fiction, not "real" literature.
But I thoroughly enjoyed this work and was surprised at Webb's historical accuracy and addressing of themes in US-Japan relationships--unpleasant facts that have only been written about in recent scholarly books about collusive ties between the US and post-War Japan (cf. Dower's "Embracing Defeat" and the new Hirohito biography). Well, seems like Webb and others in the US military are well aware of MacArthur's personal and political faults as well (or maybe just the Marines). Happened to run across an obituary in the New York Times of one of the US defense attorneys of the wrongfully indicted Japanese general, which verified every one of Webb's narrative details!
Gen. MacArthur's character comes to life and his arrogance is inextricably linked to the way he established US military policy toward East Asia's Pacific Crescent, a restructuring of Japan's own WWII Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere imperialism, but this time American style.
The prose is smoothly-paced and highly readable; I whipped through this book in no time. As someone who has no connection to the world of men like Webb (whom I assumed represents the military elite who served in Vietnam and came to public attention in the Reagan-era Iran-Contra scandal), I was not only pleasantly surprised, but extremely impressed.
I think this is an engaging, intriguing piece of work. Webb should be commended for producing a fascinating narrative that will stimulate and satisfy the minds of both lay reader and history buff alike.

Webb's Best Work Yet!, November 25, 2000
Reviewer: Tim Haraden (see more about me) from Woodruff, SC, USA

Without a doubt, James Webb's best novel yet.
Fast paced and thought provoking, I found The Emperor's General to be a fascinating historical novel. Not only does the author present an insight into MacArthur's world at the end of World War II, he examines the morality of the events, from the rigged war crime trial of a Japanese general to the personal troubles of a young junior officer. I was torn between not being able to put the book down and having to stop and examine the issues brought to light by Webb.

The Emperor's General, November 2, 2000
Reviewer: Steven Weaver from Cypress, TX United States

Outstanding. I listened to the audio version as I was driving through the mid-west this week. I was often spell bound. Many passages are profound. I got choked up two or three times. Best book I've read/heard since Memoirs of a Geisha. Can't wait to get my next James Webb book.

Polished, Entertaining and Educational, October 5, 2000
Reviewer: brazos49 (see more about me) from Sugar Land, TX USA

As one who has read all of Webb's books, I found this one to be even more polished than his earlier works. The guy is simply an amazing writer and it shows in this book. He puts you in the scene with MacArthur through his fictional character Jay Marsh. This is a great and highly entertaining way to enjoy an interest in history and learn about MacArthur, WWII and the Philippines and postwar Japan. If you even think you might have an interest in any of these, read this book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Webb's best yet., August 30, 2000
Reviewer: sgbowles (see more about me) from Florham Park, NJ USA

I have read all Webb's novels & liked them all, but this is by far his best. Protagonists in his previous books have been either stereotypes or mouthpieces for Webb himself, but in Capt Jay Marsh Webb has created an interesting, entertaining & likable, but flawed, character who is an original & speaks in his own voice. The other characters both fictional & real are deftly drawn, too. This is a terrific novel, well-researched & well-written, & raises some important issues.

Excellent!, July 6, 2000
Reviewer: A reader from Hawaii

Exceptional piece of historic fiction. The characters are vivid and realistic. The historical background is very well laid out and comes alive in the context of this excellent novel. This book has it all--history, war, romance, intrigue. Very highly recommended!

Excellent read and history lesson, June 20, 2000
Reviewer: Jurg Gassmann from London

I lived in Japan in the late 80s. I found it remarkable to read in print in Webb's novel about historical episodes which were generally common knowledge to anyone who questioned the sanitized official line about the Occupation Period (put forward by both Americans and Japanese), but could not be written about by academics who valued their career prospects. Webb's book tallies precisely with David Bergamini's analysis. On top of that, an excellent read.

  The Emperor's General changes a world, May 21, 2000
 Reviewer: editor@rebeccasreads.com (see more about me) from Washington State

I found myself riveted, absorbed page after page, chapter after chapter of this deeply satisfying underbelly view of great men, great cultures, great deceit & gullibility. As a naive ADC, Jay Marsh basked in the reflected glory of MacArthur's return to the Philippines & his rule over Japan. Old Jay Marsh is back in Manila to remember & atone for his cowardice when that war-torn world of treachery & arrogance opened before his young eyes. An amazing vision of the Pacific Theater recoupment is this fictional memoir of America's advance on Japan & the ensuing peacetime transformation. Splendid read!...