Saburo Ienaga – The Pacific War, 1931-1945 | Books in Bytes Podcast

In this candid podcast episode, our AI hosts explore The Pacific War, 1931–1945 by Saburō Ienaga, a bold and unflinching account of Japan’s road to war and ultimate defeat, written by one of the country’s most outspoken postwar historians. Ienaga traces the roots of the conflict from Japan’s expansion into Manchuria through the bloody campaigns of the Pacific War, blending military history with political critique. He examines the militarism, nationalism, and suppression of dissent that drove Japan’s leaders, while also highlighting the suffering of ordinary Japanese citizens and the devastation inflicted across Asia. Written in a clear, forceful style, the book is as much a moral reckoning as a historical narrative, reflecting Ienaga’s lifelong struggle against government censorship of wartime history in Japan. The result is both a chronicle of events and a passionate argument for confronting uncomfortable truths.

Perfect for listeners seeking a Japanese perspective that is critical, reflective, and committed to historical accountability.

Join us as we unpack Ienaga’s searing narrative and discuss how his work challenges collective memory and reshapes our understanding of Japan’s wartime experience.

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*Book Information*
Title: The Pacific War, 1931–1945: A Critical Perspective on Japan’s Role in World War II
Author: Saburō Ienaga
Year of First Publication: 1968 (English edition 1978)
Publisher: Pantheon Books (English edition)
Genre: History, Political Nonfiction, World War II Studies

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