This fascinating history tells the story of the people of Japan, from ancient teenage priest-queens to teeming hordes of salarymen, a nation that once sought to conquer China, yet also shut itself away for two centuries in self-imposed seclusion.

First revealed to Westerners in the chronicles of Marco Polo, Japan was a legendary faraway land defended by a fearsome Kamikaze storm and ruled by a divine sovereign. It was the terminus of the Silk Road, the furthest end of the known world, a fertile source of inspiration for European artists, and an enduring symbol of the mysterious East. In recent times, it has become a powerhouse of global industry, a nexus of popular culture, and a harbinger of post-industrial decline.

With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests.

Among the chapters in this Japanese history book are:

• The Way of the Gods: Prehistoric and Mythical Japan
• A Game of Thrones: Minamoto vs. Taira
• Time Warp: 200 Years of Isolation
• The Stench of Butter: Restoration and Modernization
• The New Breed: The Japanese Miracle

The gripping history of Taiwan, from the flood myths of indigenous legend to its Asian Tiger economic miracle--and the renewed threat of invasion by China.

Once dismissed by the Kangxi Emperor as nothing but a 'ball of mud', Taiwan has a modern GDP larger than that of Sweden, in a land area smaller than Indiana. It is the last surviving enclave of the Republic of China, a lost colony of Japan, and claimed by Beijing as a rogue province--merely the latest chapters in its long history as a refuge for pirates, rebels, settlers, and outcasts.

Jonathan Clements examines the unique conditions of Taiwan's archaeology and indigenous history, and its days as a Dutch and Spanish trading post. He delves into its periods as an independent kingdom, Chinese province, and short-lived republic, and the transformations wrought by 50 years as part of the Japanese Empire. He examines the traumatic effects of its role as a lifeboat in 1949 for two million refugees from Communism, and the conflicts emerging after the suspension of four decades of martial law, as its people debate issues of self-determination, independence, and home rule.

There are those who think the goal of investing is to beat the market and amass as much wealth as possible, that street smarts and hard work ensure investment success, and that the road to happiness is paved with more of everything. And then there are those who get it.Want a more prosperous, less stressful financial life? Jonathan Clements, longtime personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal, is here to help. His goal: to provide readers with a coherent way to think about their finances, so they worry less about money, make smarter financial choices and squeeze more happiness out of the dollars that they have. How to Think About Money is built around five key ideas:

Money can buy happiness, but we need to spend with great care.

Most of us will enjoy an extraordinarily long life--and that has profound financial implications.

We are hardwired for financial failure, so sensible money management takes great mental strength.

We need to bring order to our financial life--by focusing on our paycheck, or lack thereof.

If we want to add to our wealth, we should strive to minimize the subtractions.Now why didn't I think of that? That's what you'll ask yourself after you read Jonathan Clements's fine new book. Its beauty lies in the commonsense and wisdom that is summed up in just five simple steps that will help you to earn your financial independence. Easy to understand, essential to follow.--John C. Bogle, founder, The Vanguard GroupJonathan Clements brings his intelligence, insight and commonsense to How to Think About Money, which is packed with wisdom and great guidance. Read it and reap the rewards in the years and decades ahead.--Eric Tyson, author of Personal Finance for Dummies and Investing for Dummies How to Think About Money is financial feng shui --a blueprint for harmonizing all the aspects of personal finance into a balanced way of approaching and managing money. I found myself measuring my own attitudes and beliefs against the yardsticks in Jonathan Clements's book, and was pleased to find that we're on the same page. Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the challenges of today's world can benefit from Clements's advice on how to make smart financial choices, as well as how to develop, in his words, a 'coherent way to think about their financial life'.--Janet Bodnar, editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazineConcise, important and true. Jonathan Clements provides you a path not just to better finances, but to a better life.--Terry Burnham, finance professor, Chapman University, and author of Mean Markets and Lizard BrainsJonathan Clements writes so well and thinks so clearly that even financial planning, saving, and wise decisions are almost fun to think through with him as our guide.--Charles Ellis, author of Winning the Loser's GameIn How to Think About Money, Jonathan Clements, one of the premier financial writers of our times, provides readers with a roadmap for a successful financial life. It's an easy read that can result in changing the way readers look at investing and life. Read it and reap.--Mel Lindauer, Forbes.com columnist and co-author of The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing and The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement PlanningJonathan Clements is one of the greatest financial consumer advocates of our time, not only because of his emphasis on a practical and commonsense approach to personal finance, but because his message is delivered in a welcoming, easy-to-understand manner. That approach moves his readers to take the most important step toward winning in the personal-finance world--taking ownership of one's financial life and following that with action.--Peter Mallouk, president of Creative Planning and author of The 5 Mistakes Every Investor Makes and How to Avoid Them

A comprehensive, yet entertaining look at China's history through a modern lens.

For millennia, China was the largest and richest nation on earth. Two centuries ago, however, its economy sank into a depression from which it had not fully recovered--until now. China's modern resurgence as the world's largest nation in terms of population and its second-largest economy--where 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty in the space of a few decades--is the greatest untold story of the 21st century.

A Brief History of China tells of the development of a rich and complex civilization where the use of paper, writing, money and gunpowder were widespread in ancient times and where silk, ceramics, tea, metal implements and other products were produced and exported around the globe. It examines the special conditions that allowed a single culture to unify an entire continent spanning 10 billion square kilometers under the rule of a single man--and the unbelievably rich artistic, literary and architectural heritage that Chinese culture has bequeathed to the world. Equally fascinating is the story of China's decline in the 19th and early 20th century--as Europeans and Americans took center stage--and its modern resurgence as an economic powerhouse in recent years.

In his retelling of a Chinese history stretching back 5,000 years, author and China-expert Jonathan Clements focuses on the human stories which led to the powerful transformations in Chinese society--from the unification of China under its first emperor, Qinshi Huangdi, and the writings of the great Chinese philosophers Confucius and Laozi, to the Mongol invasion under Genghis Khan and the consolidation of Communist rule under Mao Zedong. Clements even brings readers through to the present day, outlining China's economic renaissance under Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping.

What really separates this book from its counterparts is the focus on women, and modern themes such as diversity and climate change. Chinese history is typically told through the stories of its most famous men, but Clements' telling gives women equal time and research--which introduces readers of this book to equally important, but less commonly-known facts and historical figures.

Often seen in the West in black or white terms--as either a savage dystopia or a fantastical paradise--China is revealed in the book as an exceptional yet troubled nation that nevertheless warrants its self-description as the Middle Kingdom.

Japanese animation is at the nexus of an international multimedia industry worth over $23.6 billion a year, linked to everything from manga to computer games, Pokémon and plushies. In this comprehensive guide, Jonathan Clements chronicles the production and reception history of the entire medium, from a handful of hobbyists in the 1910s to the Oscar-winning Spirited Away and beyond.

Exploring the cultural and technological developments of the past century, Clements addresses how anime's history has been written by Japanese scholars, and covers previously neglected topics such as wartime instructional animation and work-for-hire for American clients. Founded on the testimonies of industry professionals, and drawing on a myriad of Japanese-language documents, memoirs and books, Anime: A History illuminates the anime business from the inside - investigating its innovators, its unsung heroes and its controversies.

This new edition has been updated and revised throughout, with full colour illustrations and three new chapters on anime's fortunes among Chinese audiences and subcontractors, 21st century trends in 'otaku economics', and the huge transformations brought about by the rise of global streaming technology.

A fascinating history of Finland from prehistoric times to the twenty-first century.

The modern nation of Finland is the heir to centuries of history, as a wilderness at the edge of early Europe, a borderland of the Swedish empire, and a Grand Duchy of tsarist Russia. And, as Jonathan Clements's vivid, concise volume shows, it is a tale paved with oddities and excitements galore: from prehistoric reindeer herders to medieval barons, Christian martyrs to Viking queens, and, in the twentieth century, the war heroes who held off the Soviet Union against impossible odds.

Offering accounts of public artworks, literary giants, legends, folktales, and famous figures, Clements provides an indispensable portrait of this fascinating nation.

This updated edition includes expanded coverage on the Second World War, as well as new sections on Finns in America and Russia, the centenary of the republic, and Finland's battle with COVID-19, right up to its historic application to join NATO.

Impressive, exhaustive, labyrinthine, and obsessive--The Anime Encyclopedia is an astonishing piece of work. --Neil Gaiman

With over 10,000 entries nothing comes close . . . from classics to hidden gems, all the anime you love is finally at your fingertips.

This 3rd edition of The Anime Encyclopedia brings the landmark reference work up to date with six additional years of information on Japanese animation, its practitioners and products, as well as incisive thematic entries on anime history and culture. Even the most diehard anime fans will come away with new facts about their favorite anime and hidden gems to watch.

More than just generic listings, these reviews have snark, intelligence, and a discerning point of view. Data-obsessed fans will relish the extensive credits, online links, and cross-references, and parents and librarians will appreciate the content advisories.

A lucid history of the rise and fall of militarism in Japan... --New York Journal of Books

Japan at War in the Pacific recounts the dramatic story of Japan's transformation from a Samurai-led feudal society to a modern military-industrial empire in the space of a few decades--and the many wars it fought along the way. These culminated in an attempt by Japan's military leaders to create an Asia-Pacific empire which at its greatest extent rivaled the British Empire in scope and power.

The battle for supremacy in the Pacific brought the Japanese to great heights but led ultimately to the nation's utter devastation at the end of World War II, culminating with the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki--the only time such weapons have been used in warfare.

In this book, author Jonathan Clements offers fascinating insights into:

• The wars that Japan fought during its rise to supremacy in the western Pacific, including the Russo-Japanese War, the seizure of Manchuria and war in China, and the Pacific theater of World War II.
• The many military actions undertaken by Imperial Japanese forces including the horrific Rape of Nanjing, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the decisive defeat at the Battle of Midway, the savage Battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and many more.
• The motivations and beliefs of Japan's leaders, as well as the policy decisions of a government dedicated to expansion which ultimately led to a complete dismantling of the nation's political and social order during the Allied Occupation.

With over 75 photographs and maps, this book vividly recounts the brutal story of Japan's military conquests. Clements charts the evolution of the Japanese empire in the Pacific and the influence of a ruthless military-led government on everything from culture and food to fashion and education--including the anthems and rallying calls of a martial nation which were silenced long ago but continue to echo in Asian politics.

The First Emperor In 1974, Chinese peasants made the discovery of the century... Thousands of terracotta soldiers guarding the tomb of a tyrant. Ying Zheng was born to rule the world, claiming descent from gods, crowned king while still a child. He was the product of a heartless, brutal regime devoted to domination, groomed from an early age to become the First Emperor of China after a century of scheming by his ancestors. He faked a foreign threat to justify an invasion. He ruled a nation under 24-hour surveillance. He ordered his interrogators to torture suspects. He boiled his critics alive. He buried dissenting scholars. He declared war on death itself. Jonathan Clements uses modern archaeology and ancient texts to outline the First Emperor's career and the grand schemes that followed unification: the Great Wall that guarded his frontiers and the famous Terracotta Army that watches over his tomb. Published in 2015, this revised edition includes updates from a further decade of publications, archaeology and fictional adaptations, plus the author's encounter with Yang Zhifa, the man who discovered the Terracotta Army.

'Clements has a knack for writing suspenseful sure-footed conflict scenes: His recounting of the Korean invasion led by samurai and daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi reads like a thriller. If you're looking for a samurai primer, Clements' guide will keep you on the hook' Japan Times, reviewed as part of an Essential Reading for Japanophiles series

From a leading expert in Japanese history, this is one of the first full histories of the art and culture of the Samurai warrior. The Samurai emerged as a warrior caste in Medieval Japan and would have a powerful influence on the history and culture of the country from the next 500 years. Clements also looks at the Samurai wars that tore Japan apart in the 17th and 18th centuries and how the caste was finally demolished in the advent of the mechanized world.

Getting to financial independence can seem like an impossible journey. What path should you take? How do you get started? What about bumps in the road?

The good news is there are proven routes to freedom and wealth--and they're nearer and simpler than you think.

To help you make your own way to true and lasting financial independence, acclaimed personal finance writer Jonathan Clements has brought together the inspiring financial life stories of 30 people, all told in their own words.

Learn from the triumphs and disasters, the challenges and reflections of a wide range of real men and women just like you--and the surprising but repeatable ways they achieved financial freedom.

From a chemical plant worker to an Army lawyer, a unitarian minister to a high-school teacher, a software engineer to a retired mutual fund manager--all have timeless wisdom and inspiration you can put into action right now, bringing you one step closer to your own financial freedom.

My Money Journey is a must read for people--of any age or experience--who want to be better at managing their financial lives. It is chock full of real-world stories of financial and investing success, and challenge, from people 'just like us.' There's no better way to learn. Those stories, and the summary lessons from each contributor, provide a great road map for readers as they chart their own course to financial well-being.
Jack Brennan
Author of More Straight Talk on Investing and the former CEO and Chairman of Vanguard Group

I loved every bit of this wise book. Its financial success stories don't owe to towering salaries or complicated investment strategies. Instead, the contributors chalk up their financial freedom and peace of mind to more relatable factors: healthy savings habits, common sense, and a dash of good luck. I saw a bit of my own story reflected in its pages, and it's a good bet that you will, too.
Christine Benz
Morningstar's director of personal finance

A real-life look at how messy, complex--but ultimately rewarding--a personal relationship with money can be.
Morgan Housel
Bestselling author of The Psychology of Money

Any book can talk about the blocking and tackling involved in personal finance. What I love here are the stories of the stops and starts, the successes and the oops through the decades of a personal journey. No one's life is a predictable straight line. It is how we navigate the unexpected that gives us the foundations for financial independence and security.
Clark Howard
Renowned consumer advocate and founder of Clark.com

These 30 deeply personal essays on achieving financial goals are inspiring and instructive. Great reading for all who want to achieve lifetime financial security.
Consuelo Mack
Anchor and Managing Editor, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack

Embedded in the unique and delightful financial life stories of 30 individuals are the most important lessons investors must learn. Financial security requires disciplined,
regular saving and investing, minimizing costs (as through indexing) and taxes (as through Roth IRAs), and avoiding common blunders. Perhaps even more important than financial health, loving your work and having a genuine interest in others leads to a fulfilling life.
Burton G. Malkiel
Author of A Random Walk Down Wall Street (50th anniversary edition)

'If I had to pick a single general martial arts history book in English, I would recommend A Brief History of the Martial Arts by Dr Jonathan Clements'

RICHARD BEITLICH, Martial History Team blog

From Shaolin warrior monks to the movies of Bruce Lee, a new history of the evolution of East Asian styles of unarmed combat, from Kung Fu to Ninjutsu

Folk tales of the Shaolin Temple depict warrior monks with superhuman abilities. Today, dozens of East Asian fighting styles trace their roots back to the Buddhist brawlers of Shaolin, although any quest for the true story soon wanders into a labyrinth of forgeries, secret texts and modern retellings.

This new study approaches the martial arts from their origins in military exercises and callisthenics. It examines a rich folklore from old wuxia tales of crime-fighting heroes to modern kung fu movies. Centre stage is given to the stories that martial artists tell themselves about themselves, with accounts (both factual and fictional) of famous practitioners including China's Yim Wing-chun, Wong Fei-hong, and Ip Man, as well as Japanese counterparts such as Kano Jigoro, Itosu Anko and So Doshin.

The history of martial arts encompasses secret societies and religious rebels, with intimate glimpses of the histories of China, Korea and Japan, their conflicts and transformations. The book also charts the migration of martial arts to the United States and beyond. Special attention is paid to the turmoil of the twentieth century, the cross-cultural influence of Japanese colonies in Asia, and the post-war rise of martial arts in sport and entertainment - including the legacy of Bruce Lee, the dilemma of the ninja and the global audience for martial arts in fiction.

Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, the philosopher-founder of an intellectual, ethical tradition that has shaped a quarter of the world's population. Jonathan Clements reveals Confucius to be an outspoken and uncompromising man, and places him within the context of China of 2500 years ago.

STOP THINKING ABOUT MONEY IN THE SAME OLD WAY
Have you ever been told that you can't go wrong with mutual funds? That stocks are risky? That you should take out the largest mortgage possible? That life insurance is a good investment? That you should keep six months of emergency money? These myths and more are shattered in 25 Myths You've Got to Avoid -- If You Want to Manage Your Money Right. Each of the book's twenty-five chapters tackles a cherished money myth, first telling you why it no longer works and then showing you how to do it right. Along the way you will learn winning strategies for investing in mutual funds, building a portfolio, saving for retirement, paying for college, buying a house, preparing for financial emergencies, selecting insurance, and planning your estate.
The result? Instead of the predictable compendium of tedious advice tossed out by most personal-finance tomes, Clements's book offers a witty, fast-paced journey through today's treacherous investment world. Amusing and irreverent, here is an intriguing and accessible approach to personal finance.

A gem from one of the most brilliant minds in personal finance.
-- Ben Stein, author, actor, TV personality, and New York Times columnist

In a financial world gone mad, you still need to manage your money, put your kids through college, and save for retirement. To the rescue comes Jonathan Clements with 21 easy-to-follow rules to help you secure your financial future. Clements has spent a quarter century demystifying Wall Street for ordinary, real people on Main Street, including more than thirteen years as the Wall Street Journal's hugely popular personal-finance columnist.

In The Little Book of Main Street Money, Clements brings us back to basics, with commonsense suggestions for intelligent money management. Chock-full of financial guidance that will stand up in any market, the book also reflects a financial philosophy that Clements has developed over a lifetime of watching Wall Street and writing about money--and that is even more important in the current volatile market. From the big picture (home, retirement, financial happiness) to the micro (taxes, inflation, investment costs), he offers clear-cut advice for taking control of your financial life, detailing the strategies needed to thrive in today's tough economic times.

The 21 truths outlined throughout this book are a guiding light for everyone, young and old, whether starting out or soon retiring. Each chapter reads like a Clements column--clear, pithy, and feisty. From the obvious to the counterintuitive, the truths will bolster your returns, cut your costs, and give you financial peace of mind. Collectively, the 21 truths show you how to think about your entire financial life--not just stocks and bonds, but your home, your debts, your financial promises to your children, your income-earning ability, and so much more. They will help you not only survive today's treacherous financial terrain, but also prepare you for success tomorrow.

Renowned for his spirited writing and shrewd investment guidance, Clements is the sane voice investors need to stay grounded in the midst of so much financial insanity.

Togo Heihachiro (1848-1934) was born into a feudal society that had lived in seclusion for 250 years. As a teenage samurai, he witnessed the destruction wrought upon his native land by British warships. As the legendary Silent Admiral, he was at the forefront of innovations in warfare, pioneering the Japanese use of modern gunnery and wireless communication. He is best known as the Nelson of the East for his resounding victory over the Tsar's navy in the Russo-Japanese War, but he also lived a remarkable life: studying at a British maritime college, witnessing the Sino-French War, the Hawaiian Revolution, and the Boxer Uprising. After his retirement, he was appointed to oversee the education of the Emperor, Hirohito. This new biography spans Japan's sudden, violent leap out of its self-imposed isolation and into the 20th century. Delving beyond Togo's finest hour at the Battle of Tsushima, it portrays the life of a diffident Japanese sailor in Victorian Britain, his reluctant celebrity in America (where he was laid low by Boston cooking and welcomed by his biggest fan, Theodore Roosevelt), forgotten wars over the short-lived Republics of Ezo and Formosa, and the accumulation of peacetime experience that forged a wartime hero.

Baron Gustaf Mannerheim was one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century, and the only man to be decorated by both sides in the Second World War. As a Finnish officer in Russian service, he witnessed the coronation of the last Tsar, and was both reprimanded for foolhardiness and decorated for bravery in the Russo-Japanese War. He spent two years undercover in Asia as an agent in the 'Great Game', posing as a Swedish anthropologist. He crossed China on horseback, stopping en route to teach the 13th Dalai Lama how to shoot with a pistol, and spying on the Japanese navy on his way home. He escaped the Bolsheviks by the skin of his teeth in 1917, arriving in the newly independent Finland just in time to lead the anti-Russian forces in the local revolt and civil war. During Finland's darkest hour, he lead the defence of his country against the impossible odds of the Winter War. This major new life of Gustaf Mannerheim, the first to be published for over a decade, includes new historical material on Mannerheim's time in China.

His grandfather was the bloodthirsty Mongol leader Genghis Khan, his mother a Christian princess. Groomed from childhood for a position of authority, Khubilai snatched the position of Great Khan, becoming the overlord of a Mongol federation that stretched from the Balkans to the Korean coast. His armies conquered the Asian kingdom of Dali and brought down the last defenders of imperial China.

Khubilai Khan presided over a glorious Asian renaissance, attracting emissaries from all across the continent, and opening his civil service to 'men with coloured eyes' - administrators from the far west. His reign began the glorious Yuan dynasty that ruled over China for only ninety years, but had a profound impact on Asian history, from international trade to cultural revolution.

Jonathan Clements's insightful biography into the life and times of one of China's greatest leaders is a fascinating introduction to an important era, uncovering the man behind Marco Polo's mythic portrait.

Just 77 days to a happier, more prosperous life

From Here to Financial Happiness is the day-by-day guide for anyone dreaming of a better life. Whether you're dealing with debt, uncertain about retirement or simply want to get a grip on your finances, this book can put you on the road to happiness with a simple 11-week journey. Just 5-10 minutes a day to think about money, your habits, your goals, and your dreams. What steps can you take today to get your finances on track? What bad habits, bad investments, and misconceptions should you let go of? This book is packed with 77 days' worth of real, actionable guidance for getting your money right--for good. It's not an investment scheme, not extreme couponing, not something else to add to your daily to-do list. Instead, it's about changing you--and the way you handle and think about money--so you can start building the life of your dreams.

The next 11 weeks will be a revelation: Some days you'll learn about finance, other days you'll learn about yourself. Many days, you will be given a concrete list of things to do--right at that moment--to start steering your financial situation onto the right path.

• Learn how to stack the financial odds in your favor
• Amass savings for retirement, the children's college or that next financial emergency
• Change your perspective on money and its role in your life

• Get your financial house in order--and keep it that way

A better life is possible. You do have the power to change things for the better. From Here to Financial Happiness is your personal roadmap to financial freedom.

Expanded and updated for 2016, the Jonathan Clements Money Guide is the indispensable companion for Americans looking to stay on track financially. Written by The Wall Street Journal's longtime personal-finance columnist, this annual guide tackles retirement, college, home buying, estate planning and more. Here are just some of the new features in this year's Money Guide: -How to build your own financial plan in 18 easy steps-My story: Clements details how he tackled crucial money issues -Dos and don'ts for 2016-Great debates: A look at seven of the fiercest financial arguments-Fascinating statistics on how Americans are faring financially-Tax information for 2015 and 2016-Up-to-date facts and figures on the economy and marketsIt's hard to imagine a finer place to begin your search for financial peace of mind.-John C. Bogle, founder, The Vanguard GroupClements is a first-rate financial writer who is a genius at making sophisticated advice accessible to everyone and a delight to read.-Burton G. Malkiel, author of A Random Walk Down Wall StreetKeep Jonathan Clements's Money Guide on your desk or tablet for instant answers to your essential money questions.-Consuelo Mack, anchor, Consuelo Mack WealthTrackSince the early 1990s, Jonathan Clements's columns taught his readers, profited them, and made them smile. Trouble was, you needed to have read all his Wall Street Journal articles. Until now, that is. His Money Guide wraps this bounty, and then some, into a tidy package, destined to be enjoyed and referred to over and over by readers for decades to come.-William J. Bernstein, author of The Investor's Manifesto