This little book is full of wisdom and sage counsel. Few occidentals know China as well as does Mr. Lattimore, or are as willing to view its problems with as much objectivity. He finds that the age of old-fashioned economic and political imperialism by the western Powers is over, thanks to Japan, and that the coming struggle will involve political and social ideas -- between those of the American and British capitalist democracies and those of Soviet Russia. This conflict, he holds, is already under way in China between the landlord-controlled Kuomintang and the progressive forces represented by the Communists. As for Japan, some of his interpretations and suggestions are original and challenging. This is definitely one of the best books of the season.
