(4) YA Lucent Library of Historical Eras: Twentieth Century Japan series. Samurai gives insight into Japan's military leading up to World War II. Home describes Japanese life during wartime. Ashes traces the rebuilding of Japan from its WWII defeat to its rise as a world power today. Scrolls chronicles Japanese artistic movements throughout the twentieth century. Archival photographs and sidebars enhance the information. Density of text and crowded pages make the format unappealing. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Historical Eras: Twentieth Century Japan titles: Up from the Ashes, From Painted Scrolls to Anime, Samurai, Shoguns, and Soldiers, and The War at Home.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg