Rating: 
Summary: Historical Masterpiece
Review: This is a masterfully written historical novel that I would place in the same category as "Gone With the Wind" and "The Far Pavilions."
Rating:
Summary: A rivetting historical novel of MacArthur in postwar Japan.
Review: This is a ripping good historical novel about General MacArthur's leadership of the American occupation of Japan--the first time in over a thousand years that the "nation family" of Japan suffered defeat and conquest. The author tells the story from the perspective of one Jay Marsh, a young Japanese-speaking American captain and aide-de-camp to General MacArthur. Seen from Marsh's perspective, we see MacArthur from what seemed to me to be an authentic portrayal of a complicated man who was vain, brilliant, ambitious, and charismatic.The essential theme of the novel (no spoilers here) is that in 1945 although MacArthur represented the victor and the Japanese were in fact utterly beaten and indeed devestated by war, the interaction between occupier and the Japanese power structure was complex. The Japanese ruling class, although forced to endure American-inspired democratic reforms, remained the ruling class, at least for a time. In particular, the novel shows how, in exchange for the Japanese establishment's cooperation for a remarkably tranquil and calm occupation, most of the truly culpable Japanese war criminals escaped prosecution. The infamous Rape of Nanking, in particular, largely went unpunished. Although the novel is wonderful history, it never loses sight of its first mission--to entertain. The story is beautifully told, with compassion and humor, as we follow Captain Marsh through his love affairs with beautiful Phillipine and Japanese girls, and his interaction, friendships, and ultimately his outmaneuverings of key Japanese government figures. The most rivetting part of the novel, and its central story, is the trial and hanging of Japanese General Yamashita. Author Webb does an excellent job persuading the reader that this was in fact a travesty of justice in which MacArthur essentially made Yamashita a scapegoat for war crimes committed by others--others in the Japanese power establishment whom MacArthur was shielding from prosecution in exchange for the establishment's cooperation in the occupation and democratic reform process. An unforgettable novel that I have read more than once, each time with added insight and enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: A rivetting historical novel of MacArthur in postwar Japan.
Review: This is a ripping good historical novel about General MacArthur's leadership of the American occupation of Japan--the first time in over a thousand years that the "nation family" of Japan suffered defeat and conquest. The author tells the story from the perspective of one Jay Marsh, a young Japanese-speaking American captain and aide-de-camp to General MacArthur. Seen from Marsh's perspective, we see MacArthur from what seemed to me to be an authentic portrayal of a complicated man who was vain, brilliant, ambitious, and charismatic. The essential theme of the novel (no spoilers here) is that in 1945 although MacArthur represented the victor and the Japanese were in fact utterly beaten and indeed devestated by war, the interaction between occupier and the Japanese power structure was complex. The Japanese ruling class, although forced to endure American-inspired democratic reforms, remained the ruling class, at least for a time. In particular, the novel shows how, in exchange for the Japanese establishment's cooperation for a remarkably tranquil and calm occupation, most of the truly culpable Japanese war criminals escaped prosecution. The infamous Rape of Nanking, in particular, largely went unpunished. Although the novel is wonderful history, it never loses sight of its first mission--to entertain. The story is beautifully told, with compassion and humor, as we follow Captain Marsh through his love affairs with beautiful Phillipine and Japanese girls, and his interaction, friendships, and ultimately his outmaneuverings of key Japanese government figures. The most rivetting part of the novel, and its central story, is the trial and hanging of Japanese General Yamashita. Author Webb does an excellent job persuading the reader that this was in fact a travesty of justice in which MacArthur essentially made Yamashita a scapegoat for war crimes committed by others--others in the Japanese power establishment whom MacArthur was shielding from prosecution in exchange for the establishment's cooperation in the occupation and democratic reform process. An unforgettable novel that I have read more than once, each time with added insight and enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: The Emperor`s General is an epic masterpiece.
Review: This novel represents the best of all possible fictional worlds: a deeply felt, richly observed love story (reminiscent of From Here to Eternity), an epic drama (more powerful than Noble House), and an extraordinary portrait of MacArthur and the Japanese, particularly Yamashita, for readers who want to be entertained at the highest level. A must read. One of the great novels of the 90`s.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful, brilliant and eye-opening.....
Review: Though a novel, James Webb has given us an excellent view of Post-war Japan and political intrigue that should give us all pause. The egos and machinations of MacArthur's "Inner Circle" I found fascinating and frightening. James Webb's description of the first meeting of Generals Wainwright and MacArthur since Corregidor and Bataan should be required reading at West Point. My best wishes for success go out to James Webb on this book and any others he has coming down the line. Semper Fidelis sir!
Rating: 
Summary: The General's Prince
Review: Though it talks a great deal about MacArthur and the Emporer of Japan, the book is really about Jay Marsh, whom I call "The General's Prince." Set in late WWII and post-war Japan, the book looks at the inner circle of MacArthur's staff. Young Jay Marsh is a Arkansas farm kid who moved to California and learned to speak Japanese. This elevated him from an Army nobody to a trusted aide in the Supreme Commander's HQ. Too trusted, perhaps. CPT Marsh learns to work politics and the intricacies of diplomacy, where "belly talk" compliments and shaded, half-lies are the norm. He's good at it. So good, in fact that he ultimately becomes an ambassador (the reader finds that out in the first chapter.) But romance, love, passion, double-dealing, politics and a growing awareness of himself as a person bring CPT Marsh to a series of events which ends the book in a series of memorable plot twists. I highly recommend the book for any WWII enthusiast or MacArthur fan.
Rating:
Summary: Great book; slows down towards the middle, but great end
Review: Towards the middle the book kind of slows down. It finishes with a high bang. Overall, definately worth while.
Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: We have been saturated with post World War punishment and reconstruction of Germany. However, for some reason there had been very little non academic books written with the back drop of Japan and how we dealt with all the complicated issues concerning the differences in our two cultures in our efforts to remold Japan. This book opened my eyes somewhat and I found it very interesting. It contains history, inside information, intrigue and romance
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A FIND!
Review: Webb brought his characters, both real and fictional to life. The studies of McArthur and the Japanese royal family are fascinating. A close relative of mine was captured in Bataan and survived imprisonment [author, Lester Tenney of "My Hitch in Hell"] and has talked often about his feelings, both good and ambivilent about his Japanese captors and emotionally concerning McArthur and General Wainwright. While, I was hardly walking when these events took place, I spent many years working directly with, and studying the Japanese,their culture and language. After reading "The Emperor's General", much like Clavell's novels, I now have a clearer perception of "Majime." I highly recommend Webb's book to anyone who is interested in history, military or otherwise and Asian culture. I will look forward to reading "Fields of Fire."
Rating: 
Summary: A smear campaign
Review: Well, I'm going to be the odd man out. I found this book grated on my nerves from the very first page. The protagonist is an arrogant, pretentious, self-important prig. The main theme of the book seems to be smearing MacArthur. Indeed, in the very first chapter, the author makes reference to the phrase, "An American Caesar", which was the title of an earlier work. Caesar, assuming that refers to Julius, was a traitor to his republic. He betrayed the trust placed in him by the senate and the roman people, and used his power to make himself emperor. There is absolutely no evidence that MacArthur ever contemplated anything even remotely resembling such actions, and to even imply some connection is a base canard against a great American. But as I said earlier, the author's main thrust here seems to be defiling the memory of Douglas MacArthur. While I certainly agree that the author has most of his major historical facts straight, he also engages in an great deal of speculation and innuendo. Then again, while the author identifies himself as a "combat marine" he is also both politician and lawyer, and as such, he is obviously no stranger to perversions of the truth.
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