I do not know how I could have forgotten "Nomonhan: Japan Against Russia, 1939"
by Alvin D. Coox. Definitive, well written.
"Burma: The Longest War 1941-1945" by Louis Allen. Allen both fought in the conflict and is a Japanese linguist. A lot of Japanese sources used. Very good. May have to start rereading it again soon.
I have not read the following and solicit thoughts before I part with my hard earned yen.
"Nomonhan" by John Colvin - reviews are not that good.
"The Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905" by Geoffrey Jukes
Thoughts on the above?
I also think it is wise not to ignore fiction to sometime gain an understanding of a time and a people...to some extent.
Bridge on the River Kwai, both the Pierre Boulle (sp?) original novel and the movie are good and I think fair to the Japanese.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Director Nagisa Oshima, left a hell of an impact on me the only time I saw it. I never plan to see it again, but I do suggest it...once.
And finally, "Rising Sun Victorious: The Alternate History of How the Japanese Won the Pacific War" by Peter G. Tsouras (Editor) is fun to start conversations, either with friends or in your own mind.
Ciao for now - Jeffrey