Was there ever a time when a technically sophisticated civilization reverted to an earlier, less advanced technology? There was, Japan, 1543-1879. During this period Japan effectively prohibited all manufacture of firearms and gunpowder, and isolated itself from the rest of the world with a blockade that remained successful until Commodore Perry's celebrated opening of Japan in 1854. An altogether fascinating book because Perrin is a consistently good storyteller, because even his footnotes are a delight to read, and because this story has few parallels in modern history.
- ISBN10 0394739493
- ISBN13 9780394739496
- Publish Date 12 September 1980
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 20 May 2017
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Random House USA Inc
- Format Paperback
- Pages 122
- Language English