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booksnooksandcooks's review against another edition
2.5
I’ll admit, this was one of the first books I’ve read about Japanese culture and society. So I started off with a rough introduction.
I’m torn between two thoughts right now. One, I find that Adelstein’s depiction of Tokyo’s underworld to be both startling (compared to how I’ve seen Tokyo/Japanese culture depicted) and obvious (because of this history of Japan and the emphasis on sex in Japanese culture because wow, that is pervasive). On the other hand, I do struggle with the fact that this is coming from an American who is viewing all of this from a biased and, respectfully, patriarchal douchebag. So often he appears to justify or excuse his beliefs but, frankly, I’d probably throw a drink at him if I had a conversation with him in person. He definitely enjoys the shock value writing of a journalist.
Interesting book that has made me want to read more about Japan, but also ehhhh, probably wouldn’t recommend for others.
I’m torn between two thoughts right now. One, I find that Adelstein’s depiction of Tokyo’s underworld to be both startling (compared to how I’ve seen Tokyo/Japanese culture depicted) and obvious (because of this history of Japan and the emphasis on sex in Japanese culture because wow, that is pervasive). On the other hand, I do struggle with the fact that this is coming from an American who is viewing all of this from a biased and, respectfully, patriarchal douchebag. So often he appears to justify or excuse his beliefs but, frankly, I’d probably throw a drink at him if I had a conversation with him in person. He definitely enjoys the shock value writing of a journalist.
Interesting book that has made me want to read more about Japan, but also ehhhh, probably wouldn’t recommend for others.
joshhall13's review against another edition
5.0
Yakuza methods written about here really overlap methods that have come to light about Donald Trump in 2020.
Trump is an American mobster. Morally bankrupt.
Trump is an American mobster. Morally bankrupt.
bentrevett's review against another edition
2.0
basically a short story collection of this guy's experiences in japan. very hit and miss. the main "hook" story about some global conspiracy between the FBI and the yakuza ends up being underwhelming. considering the author claims to be amazing at everything (japanese, karate, banging women, not banging women) he's a terrible writer. i don't think he could make some of his stories more boring if he tried.
viviennemorgain's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I also felt that parts of the book are exaggerated or fiction. However, the greater part of it is chock-full of information. Not about the yakuza, but about journalism and police work of an era in Japan. It made me want to read more books written by investigative journalists.
ztroberts0's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
ursineultra's review against another edition
1.0
Excruciatingly poorly written, and hard to tell how much is true and how much is the wank fantasy of the self-obsessed author. Adelstein thinks he's some James bond/batman hybrid but his exploits seem as believable as a 12 year old's fan fiction. Everyone underestimates him, he's always got a (incredibly clunky) comeback, every conversation ends with a compliment and women can't stop sleeping with him. So embarrassing I was actually cringing reading it.
Also, when I thought my eyes couldn't roll any further back in my head I come on here and find that not only did the guy review his own book, he also gave it five stars, reducing it to four only because that's 'more Japanese'. I threw up in my mouth a little at this point.
(One star because I learnt some stuff about Japanese culture I didn't know.)
Also, when I thought my eyes couldn't roll any further back in my head I come on here and find that not only did the guy review his own book, he also gave it five stars, reducing it to four only because that's 'more Japanese'. I threw up in my mouth a little at this point.
(One star because I learnt some stuff about Japanese culture I didn't know.)
chan175's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0