The Yamato Dynasty The Secret History of Japan's Imperial Family [Paperback]

InThe Yamato Dynasty, Sterling Seagrave, who divulged the secrets of Mao Tse-tung and the ruthlessness of Chiang Kai-shek in theNew York TimesbestsellerThe Soong Dynasty, and his wife and longtime collaborator, Peggy, present the controversial, never-before-told history of the world’s longest-reigning dynasty–the Japanese imperial family–from its nineteenth-century origins through today. In the first collective biography of both the men and women of the Yamato Dynasty, the Seagraves take a controversial, comprehensive look at a family history that crosses two world wars, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the American occupation of Japan, and Japan’s subsequent phoenix-like rise from the ashes of the Second World War.The Yamato Dynastytells the story of the powerful men who have stood behind the screen–the shoguns and financiers controlling the throne from the shadows–taking readers behind the walls of privilege and tradition and revealing, in uncompromising detail, the true nature of a dynasty shrouded in myth and legend"The Seagraves have uncovered one of the biggest secrets of the twentieth century"
--Iris Chang, author ofThe Rape of Nanking

"[The Yamato Dynasty] dramatically brings the imperial family–and those behind it–to life, offering readers an intriguing glimpse behind the long-maintained veil of secrecy."
--Publishers Weekly(starred review)Sterling Seagrave grew up on the China-Burma border. For many years an investigative reporter in Asia, he is the author ofYellow Rain,The Marcos Dynasty,Dragon Lady,The Soong Dynasty, andLords of the Rim. Peggy Seagrave is Sterling’s wife and longtime collaborator. They live in Europe.Chapter 1 Reinventing the Emperor The future Meiji emperor was only eight months old in July 1853 when four large, black-hulled American Navy ships appearedl3%