Prelude to Pearl Harbor: Ideology and Culture in Us-Japan Relations, 1919-1941 - Paperback

by John Gripentrog (Author)

In this absorbing account of the origins of the Asia-Pacific War, historian John Gripentrog argues that competing ideologies of world order--chiefly the rift between liberal internationalism and Pan-Asian regionalism--lay at the heart of the conflict. Drawing from a rich diversity of primary and secondary sources, the author also examines the Japanese government's vigorous cultural diplomacy in the U.S., which sought to win over American hearts and minds and soft-pedal its imperialist ambitions in Asia. The result is a book that both challenges and amplifies standard interpretations of US-Japan relations in the interwar era, while weaving diplomatic, political, intellectual, and cultural history. Moreover, the author's wide-angle lens offers readers insights into a fascinating assemblage of historical actors--from Japanese and American diplomats, politicians, and military leaders, to cosmopolitan art enthusiasts and major league baseball players.

Author Biography

John Gripentrog is professor of history at Mars Hill University, North Carolina. He earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and specializes in US foreign relations in East Asia. Dr. Gripentrog is the recipient of the Robert S. Gibbs Outstanding Teaching Award at Mars Hill University as well as the Letters and Science Teaching Award at UW-Madison.