THE AMERICAN RECORD IN THE FAR EAST, 1945-1951

by Kenneth Latourette ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 24, 1952

This is a brief summary and interpretation of United States action and involvement in the Far East during the six years following the collapse of Japan. The author, Sterling Professor of Missions and Oriental History of Yale, was asked to prepare the book by the American Institute of Pacific Relations. He feels that there are consistent elements in American policy, among them, the concern for the welfare of the Asiatic parties and the containment of Communism. It seems to this reader that perhaps the economic factors are not given full emphasis here. The author gives a quick sketch of former episodes of United States-Asiatic relations, then discusses the various countries separately -- countries in ""the area extending from Japan on the east to Pakistan on the West, and including the mainland of Asia and the adjacent islands"". The book will serve as a quick survey for the ""intelligent general reader"". Its interpretations are open to debate, its facts to supplementation, and its incompleteness, unavoidable in so brief a sketch, will not satisfy the person really interested in our dealings with the Far East, who will want to use it as a stepping stone into further literature. Mr. Latourette feels that on the whole the American record has been favorable; what the final impress of United States actions will be, what will happen to and through the Communism which he sees threatening the Far East, he wisely refrains from predicting.

Pub Date: June 24, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1952

Categories: NONFICTION