History Beasley, W. G.: The Modern History of Japan, v1, 7 Jan 2009

[mrmikel]

A clear history of Japan from the 1600s up through the 1950s. When I was in college this textbook was used in my coursework. It outlines the path from military rule by shoguns through the Meiji restoration and the incidents that set Japan on its disastrous path that led to World War II, occupation and return to self rule on democratic lines.

The author is still alive to the best of my knowledge, but he did not renew copyright in the US on this 1963 book. So it is likely in copyright everywhere but the US.

He authored a book which is more up to date than this one in 1999.