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Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 3:36 am
by Retlaw83
Username wrote:Anything in the jap book about why China was invaded? "pure impieralism"? Or was there some deeper "united Asia" sort of thing
The Japanese did a little of both. They dressed Imperialism up in an economic alliance thing they called "The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" or something to that effect. What it came down to was you willingly joined this and became Japan's puppet, which many countries did, or you get conquered. Japan had a lot of area under it's control before it struck at China.
Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 2:34 pm
by Atomkilla
Sakai criticises imperialism, Japan's politics and the fact that they started the war against the US (and other countries). So, no, he doesn't support his Emperor, or make "united Asia" propaganda, or anything in that matter. However, he does his job by killing enemies, which he respects greatly (especially the US pilots), and fighting for his nation (which he loves).
When it comes to the "victim complex",well - war is war. Many people get killed, some of them lose, others win. And when it comes to that matter, Sakai doesn't write it in the manner "It is inhuman to drop A-Bomb" and similar stuff. Sure, it's horrible, but Japan wasn't innocent and Japanese soldiers weren't knights in the shining armor, and writer knows it.
And that's the reason why I recommended it, because it isn't some random bitching about WWII. It's realistic and honest, and that's what makes it a good book.
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 2:40 am
by rad resistance
Finished Soldaten, a very deep book about the feelings and mentality of Landsers. Recommended for Nicolai.
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 2:59 am
by Username
Sakai criticises imperialism, Japan's politics and the fact that they started the war against the US (and other countries). So, no, he doesn't support his Emperor, or make "united Asia" propaganda, or anything in that matter. However, he does his job by killing enemies, which he respects greatly (especially the US pilots), and fighting for his nation (which he loves).
When it comes to the "victim complex",well - war is war. Many people get killed, some of them lose, others win. And when it comes to that matter, Sakai doesn't write it in the manner "It is inhuman to drop A-Bomb" and similar stuff. Sure, it's horrible, but Japan wasn't innocent and Japanese soldiers weren't knights in the shining armor, and writer knows it.
And that's the reason why I recommended it, because it isn't some random bitching about WWII. It's realistic and honest, and that's what makes it a good book.
That sounds interesting actually. Worth a look if I get some free time. And the concept that Retlaw mentioned is well known to me...but not much more. Was there ever any sincere thoughts behind it or was it just as you say propaganda?
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:42 am
by Retlaw83
Username wrote:Was there ever any sincere thoughts behind it or was it just as you say propaganda?
I haven't studied it as extensively as I want to yet, but as far as I know the co-prosperity sphere was the Japanese government being polite about stealing other countries' land, women and property. If you rejected the co-prosperity sphere then they invaded your ass.
Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:40 am
by Atomkilla
Well, honestly, I'm not quite sure how to answer to that.
Generally Japan in WWII reminds me of Germany in WWII - they both started "peacefully" annexing and taking nearby territories, and then they suddenly attacked (Germany attacked Poland, and Japan attacked China - at least I think it was that order, not quite sure).
Later, when they had full control over a region, both of them started making death camps (Germany made Dachau, Aushwitz etc. while Japan created Unit 731 and other horrible things), and of course, later spreading false propaganda about winning the war in their own cities...
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 6:45 pm
by rad resistance
Books I got for Christmas:
Blood Red Snow
Battle Group!
To the Bitter End
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 6:46 pm
by Superhaze
The Stephen Fry biography. He ha a sexy brain.
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:06 am
by S4ur0n27
Reading some Cormac; finished No Country and am reading All the pretty horses. Once you get used to his wacky style it's pretty good :bueno:
Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:04 am
by jetbaby
Just finished World Made By Hand, James Howard Kunstler. Currently reading A Game of Thrones, George RR Martin and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein.
All three are A+ material.
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:15 am
by Megatron
i read flow my tears the policeman said today it was pretty good i guess i havent had time to read for a while and now i do im tryng to build up my reading muscles before i crack on wtih ww2 descriptors and ancient viking space rtuals.
heart of darkness next maybe i dunno i watched the film venos it was good then hyuk uh nah jk uh jk wai hey we can all walk out of her
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:41 am
by gobbleykins
ok how the FUCK did you find that book? I have seriously been looking for three years for it.
heart of darkness is good if you like "hey everybody we fucked africa" kind of remorse-for-colonialism books. I've never seen apocalypse now but I've been told it's pretty good, I honestly can't tell whether you watched that or the film version of heart of darkness from your post but if not, do it, it has charlie sheen's bro (father) in it, need I say more.
I found it really hard to start reading again, like actually physically hard, so I suggest (from personal experience) to get a shitty, easy job (maybe from the government?) where you don't have anything to do but read, and just read books from the library or something.
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:52 pm
by Manoil
gobbleykins wrote:ok how the FUCK did you find that book?
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:33 am
by jetbaby
gobbleykins wrote:ok how the FUCK did you find that book? I have seriously been looking for three years for it.
http://www.amazon.com/Flow-My-Tears-Pol ... 067974066X
The internet is a good place to start. Took me about five seconds.
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:36 am
by Yonmanc
Shh don't tell him. He'll buy them all!
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:46 pm
by Megatron
gobbleykins wrote:ok how the FUCK did you find that book? I have seriously been looking for three years for it.
heart of darkness is good if you like "hey everybody we fucked africa" kind of remorse-for-colonialism books. I've never seen apocalypse now but I've been told it's pretty good, I honestly can't tell whether you watched that or the film version of heart of darkness from your post but if not, do it, it has charlie sheen's bro (father) in it, need I say more.
I found it really hard to start reading again, like actually physically hard, so I suggest (from personal experience) to get a shitty, easy job (maybe from the government?) where you don't have anything to do but read, and just read books from the library or something.
i got it for my birthday : ). apocalyps now is pretty good but its been a while since ive seen it as it lasts for a few years anyway lol heart of darkness the film is a documentary about making apocalypse now IIRC also, if you liked that then you might like AGUIRRE wrath of god ok klaus kinski need i cé more??
its been a while since i read anything beyond science reference books and the odd article but i quite enjoy reading its just finding a good spot where theres no sound or people or pet cats which is harder than it sounds! Ok!
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:23 pm
by POOPERSCOOPER
Before looking at the book I thought you had asked a police man to see if the book was good, I didn't know that was the actual name. I only read one Philip K Dick book and that was the Blade Runner one, it was okay.
I bought the book Neuromancer (I like to call it necromancer) and I intend to read that next if I read a book. I haven't really read much at all since maybe last summer.
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:25 am
by Megatron
S4ur0n27 wrote:Reading some Cormac; finished No Country and am reading All the pretty horses. Once you get used to his wacky style it's pretty good :bueno:
im reading blood meridian at the moment its really good. about a troupe of cowboys hunting apache down in mexico
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:46 am
by rad resistance
Rant; Chuck Palahniuk. Good read way out there but a good and pleasing read.
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 10:30 pm
by Tofu Man
Oi can anyone recommend a recent (2008 or later) sci-fi novel of the non-visual kind that's gotten good (or better) critical reception? Not so much interested in the story, rather on the form, so predictable/bad plot is of no real consequence. Sci-fi lite is ok as well.