The Emperor's General - Softcover

Webb, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553578545 ISBN 13: 9780553578546

Publisher: Bantam, 2000

Synopsis

An evocation of ego, greed, and imperial politics in postWorld War II Japan follows a young captain involved in a plot between General MacArthur and the Japanese emperor to seize total control.

About this title

Review:

Webb's vividly imagined thriller arrives with imprimatur of Tom Wolfe, who calls him one of the five most important writers in America today. Does Webb justify this lavish praise? In the year 1945, General MacArthur has brought off the allied triumph in the Pacific. Webb's hero, Captain Jay Marsh, a young aide-de-camp, is happy to serve his hero. But when he discovers that the General has undertaken a strange agreement with the Emperor of Japan, Marsh finds himself dealing with a bizarre scenario in which MacArthur plans to become an American Caesar, ruling over his conquered Japanese subjects while preserving their imperial system. Webb's fascinating and original plot is carried off with considerable style and authority, and he is particularly assured in his characterisation: MacArthur is created with a convincing detail that is cleverly not allowed to eclipse the tormented protagonist Marsh.

Like all the best historical fiction, the day-to-day detail of the forties is sketched in with assurance and the narrative (culminating in the rigged trial of Japan's greatest General) is handled with clarity and precision. It's no surprise that the film rights for The Emperor's General have been sold--but, as a reading experience, this is a book that justifies Wolfe's fulsome praise --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk

About the Author:

James Webb, combat marine and author of four bestselling novels, is an attorney and Emmy Award-winning journalist who has served as Secretary of the Navy, Assistant Secretary of Defense, and full committee counsel to the U.S. Congress.  He lives in Virginia.

To find out more, visit www.jameswebb.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0553578545
• ISBN 13: 9780553578546
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 480