Our Man in Tokyo

An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor

By: Steve Kemper

Narrated by: Dan Woren

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A gripping, behind-the-scenes account of the personalities and contending forces in Tokyo during the volatile decade that led to World War II, as seen through the eyes of the American ambassador who attempted to stop the slide to war.

In 1932, Japan was in crisis. Naval officers had assassinated the prime minister and conspiracies flourished. The military had a stranglehold on the government. War with Russia loomed, and propaganda campaigns swept the country, urging schoolchildren to give money to procure planes and tanks.

Into this maelstrom stepped Joseph C. Grew, America’s most experienced and talented diplomat. When Grew was appointed ambassador to Japan, not only was the country in turmoil, its relationship with America was rapidly deteriorating. For the next decade, Grew attempted to warn American leaders about the risks of Japan’s raging nationalism and rising militarism, while also trying to stabilize Tokyo’s increasingly erratic and volatile foreign policy. From domestic terrorism by Japanese extremists to the global rise of Hitler and the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor, the events that unfolded during Grew’s tenure proved to be pivotal for Japan, and for the world. His dispatches from the darkening heart of the Japanese empire would prove prescient—for his time, and for our own.

Drawing on Grew’s diary of his time in Tokyo as well as U.S. embassy correspondence, diplomatic dispatches, and firsthand Japanese accounts, Our Man in Tokyo brings to life a man who risked everything to avert another world war, the country where he staked it all—and the abyss that swallowed it.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Steve Kemper (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

I hope this book is required reading for all students of the military.

Great book. I learned SO MUCH from it. I almost put it down as the beginning chapter or two were a struggle for me but glad I kept at it.

Fascinating book

For those really interested in history and the politics behind the events leading up to the war against Japan, this is a tremendous read. I thoroughly enjoyed and really learned a lot.

Indispensable and highly “readable” account of why Japan went to war

If you liked Erik Larson’s “In the Garden of Beasts”, you will love this page-turner about the conflicting factors that led Japan to decide on war in the 1930s and 1940s. The book also deepened my understanding of contemporary attitudes toward Japan within the US State Department during the same time period. Finally, the book offers a fascinating depiction of Roosevelt, Hull and above all of the heroic Ambassador Grew. Even though I knew the outcome, I couldn’t stop listening.

Excellent insider perspective

Given both my parents were involved in World War II I am fascinated by the different perspectives on the history of that conflict. I am much more familiar with the European front than the Asian, and therefore was quite interested in this story. The chronological review of 10 years in Tokyo is fascinating, but could be tedious at times, otherwise, I would’ve rated the story 5 stars. I think the most relevant aspect for me was getting the insider view of the division between the Japanese military fanatics and the government. All in all, if you’re interested in World War II and want more perspective on what led up to the war with Japan, I recommend this read.

I learned so much

I have read a lot of books about WWII including ones that specifically focused on Pearl Harbor but I still learned new & interesting details leading up to that day of infamy. Kemper's biography of Joseph Grew - our man in Tokyo - is a compelling account of his life and his years of diplomatic service leading up to the war between the U.S. & Japan. I learned so much about the details of life in pre-war Japan -the politics, militarism, relations between Japan & the U.S. and the instability of the region. I feel I have a much better understanding of a very important time in our nation's history.

Insightful and so well written

So detailed and compelling. There are many things about the lead up to the war on the Japanese side that I never knew that this book brings to light.

Required reading for wwii buffs

An amazing book that gives you a better understanding and fresh perspective on the road to the war in the pacific.

Missed opportunities

A well written account of how missed opportunities and missed perception led two nations to stumble into war

A fascinating tale

The amazing truth comes out that Mr. Grew was told so little before Pearl Harbor.

Pretty good

A pretty good book - but there are better ones out there. The author inserts way too much of his own opinion - feels the need to make out obvious points, apparently not think much of his readers. But outside of that, the book is pretty good - and at times can be really good.

The reader did a very good professional job. I listen at 1.3x by default - and it sounded perfectly natural.