---
product_id: 198017908
title: "Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power in the Pacific Century"
price: "5664CFA"
currency: XOF
in_stock: false
reviews_count: 7
url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/198017908-asias-reckoning-china-japan-and-the-fate-of-u-s
store_origin: SN
region: Senegal
---

# Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power in the Pacific Century

**Price:** 5664CFA
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- **What is this?** Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power in the Pacific Century
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## Description

A Financial Times Best Book of 2017 “A shrewd and knowing book.” —Robert D. Kaplan, The Wall Street Journal “A compelling and impressive read.” — The Economist “Skillfully crafted and well-argued.” — Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Financial Times “An excellent modern history. . . . provides the context needed to make sense of the region’s present and future.” —Joyce Lau, South China Morning Post A history of the combative military, diplomatic, and economic relations among China, Japan, and the United States since the 1970s—and the potential crisis that awaits them Richard McGregor’s Asia’s Reckoning is a compelling account of the widening geopolitical cracks in a region that has flourished under an American security umbrella for more than half a century. The toxic rivalry between China and Japan, two Asian giants consumed with endless history wars and ruled by entrenched political dynasties, is threatening to upend the peace underwritten by Pax Americana since World War II. Combined with Donald Trump’s disdain for America’s old alliances and China's own regional ambitions, east Asia is entering a new era of instability and conflict. If the United States laid the postwar foundations for modern Asia, now the anchor of the global economy, Asia’s Reckoning reveals how that structure is falling apart. With unrivaled access to archives in the United States and Asia, as well as to many of the major players in all three countries, Richard McGregor has written a tale that blends the tectonic shifts in diplomacy with bitter domestic politics and the personalities driving them. It is a story not only of an overstretched America, but also of the rise and fall and rise of the great powers of Asia. The about-turn of Japan—from a colossus seemingly poised for world domination to a nation in inexorable decline in the space of two decades—has few parallels in modern history, as does the rapid rise of China—a country whose military is now larger than those of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and southeast Asia's combined. The confrontational course on which China and Japan are set is no simple spat between neighbors: the United States would be involved on the side of Japan in any military conflict between the two countries. The fallout would be an economic tsunami, affecting manufacturing centers, trade routes, and political capitals on every continent. Richard McGregor’s book takes us behind the headlines of his years reporting as the Financial Times ’s Beijing and Washington bureau chief to show how American power will stand or fall on its ability to hold its ground in Asia.

Review: Five Stars - A great book. Even better than his history of the CCP.
Review: A scholarly work of bilateral and international relations - To address the first question that inevitably arises from the title, Asia refers more specifically to China and Japan, with the inevitable participant of the USA, with other countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and the Koreas in a supporting role. As such, the book is really a history of China, Japan and United States relations, and a fine history it is. Richard McGregor has clearly devoted considerable historical scholarship and behind the scenes investigation to deliver what clearly is a comprehensive account of something that is clearly misunderstood, Japan-China relations. What one will learn from this book is that Japan-China relations are not as simple as either side would have you believe. Japan-China relations in the Post-WWII era were not uniformly antagonistic, and the poison in the relationship did not really metastasize until the 1990s, with the Yasukuni issue only emerging in the mid 80s. In a nutshell, founding figures such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were entirely Japan friendly, with Mao himself insisting on the unnecessary nature of apologies. The Deng Xiaoping era receives less attention, though it was just as friendly, however, the real poison in the relationship comes from the mouth foaming Japan baiter, Jiang Zemin. As such, the book does what any decent history book does, disspel myths and common misunderstanding, chief amongst them, "Japan has never apologized". Japan has apologized unequivocally on numerous occasions, the poison of the relationship stems from Chinese hair splitting, and Japanese revisionism. The controversy over Diaoyu/Senkaku issue surrounding their "nationalization" was actually a least worst solution to prevent their purchase by Shintaro Ishihara, the China-baiting ultra-nationalist Tokyo governor, a move made by the most pro-China Japanese government in the latter days of what had been the most pro-Japan Chinese government. While one cannot accurately say whether McGregor's book is an effective mirror for the future, it is difficult to be optimistic for future Japan-China relations due to the uncertain nature of the China-US relationship, and the brain washing of the younger Chinese generation from years of poisonous "Patriotic" Education spear headed by Jiang Zemin. For the curious reader, McGregor has provided a scholarly and penetrating insight into Japan-China relations that is very readable and well structured. It may seem like a slow starter, particularly for those like this reader who are more primarily concerned with recent events, however, perseverance is entirely rewarding. An essential work on international relations, covering a very important bilateral, and in some ways, trilateral relationship, with ramifications for the wider world.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 4,176,453 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 242,237 in History (Books) 404,932 in Society, Politics & Philosophy |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 141 Reviews |

## Images

![Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power in the Pacific Century - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61i4FU2Oq7L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five Stars
*by R***R on 9 May 2018*

A great book. Even better than his history of the CCP.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A scholarly work of bilateral and international relations
*by A***H on 26 January 2018*

To address the first question that inevitably arises from the title, Asia refers more specifically to China and Japan, with the inevitable participant of the USA, with other countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and the Koreas in a supporting role. As such, the book is really a history of China, Japan and United States relations, and a fine history it is. Richard McGregor has clearly devoted considerable historical scholarship and behind the scenes investigation to deliver what clearly is a comprehensive account of something that is clearly misunderstood, Japan-China relations. What one will learn from this book is that Japan-China relations are not as simple as either side would have you believe. Japan-China relations in the Post-WWII era were not uniformly antagonistic, and the poison in the relationship did not really metastasize until the 1990s, with the Yasukuni issue only emerging in the mid 80s. In a nutshell, founding figures such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were entirely Japan friendly, with Mao himself insisting on the unnecessary nature of apologies. The Deng Xiaoping era receives less attention, though it was just as friendly, however, the real poison in the relationship comes from the mouth foaming Japan baiter, Jiang Zemin. As such, the book does what any decent history book does, disspel myths and common misunderstanding, chief amongst them, "Japan has never apologized". Japan has apologized unequivocally on numerous occasions, the poison of the relationship stems from Chinese hair splitting, and Japanese revisionism. The controversy over Diaoyu/Senkaku issue surrounding their "nationalization" was actually a least worst solution to prevent their purchase by Shintaro Ishihara, the China-baiting ultra-nationalist Tokyo governor, a move made by the most pro-China Japanese government in the latter days of what had been the most pro-Japan Chinese government. While one cannot accurately say whether McGregor's book is an effective mirror for the future, it is difficult to be optimistic for future Japan-China relations due to the uncertain nature of the China-US relationship, and the brain washing of the younger Chinese generation from years of poisonous "Patriotic" Education spear headed by Jiang Zemin. For the curious reader, McGregor has provided a scholarly and penetrating insight into Japan-China relations that is very readable and well structured. It may seem like a slow starter, particularly for those like this reader who are more primarily concerned with recent events, however, perseverance is entirely rewarding. An essential work on international relations, covering a very important bilateral, and in some ways, trilateral relationship, with ramifications for the wider world.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Four Stars
*by D***Y on 13 September 2018*

Interesting and timely

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*Last updated: 2026-10-06*