The Chrysanthemum and the Sword Audiobook By Ruth Benedict cover art

The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

Patterns of Japanese Culture

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The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

By: Ruth Benedict
Narrated by: Cindy Kay
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"One of the best books ever about Japanese society ... [A] thoughtful, nuanced study of the Japanese character." (U.S. News & World Report)

Essential for anyone interested in Japanese culture, this unsurpassed masterwork opens an intriguing window on Japan. The World War II-era study by the cultural anthropologist Ruth Benedict paints an illuminating contrast between the people of Japan and those of the United States. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a revealing look at how and why our societies differ, making it the perfect introduction to Japanese history and customs.

©1946 Ruth Benedict; copyright renewed 1974 by Donald G. Freeman (P)2022 Tantor Anthropology Asia Japan Nepal Imperial Japan China
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Clarity of arguments with evidential examples using common sense logic. Using this book to describe Japan in my college courses has made a significant impact on my students despite the obvious historical progressions in the societal mores. I recommend it highly for anyone trying to understand Japanese for the first time.

Must read even after all these years

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True classic— remains just as relevant today. Well worth listening to. And terrific narration by Cindy Kay— made listening extra enjoyable.

Brilliant!

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This is an excellent book, well researched, well conveyed, and well narrated. Something I’ve meaning to learn. Should have read/listened to years ago.

Amazing

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Comprehensive and well integrated study that shows multi layered insight-perennial wisdom, intelligently written, well-read.

Outstanding study

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Every culture changes, obviously the values held by our grandparents may or may not be similar to what we hold as meaningful. But this book is a great look at the Japan at the moment in time at the end of World War 2. It sounds a little dated in places where it talks about the 'unusually high birth rate of the Japanese' but it does give a sense of the overall cultural differences between Japan and the broader Western culture they've been assimilated into. I'd love for a followup talking about Japan in the era of videogames and kawaii but I don't think Ruth will be doing one since she's been dead since my father was born...

Fascinating Even If A Little Dated

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This book describes all aspects of Japanese culture, in many ways far superior to Western mentality.
Needless to say that I HIGHLY recommend listening to this book, especially to the younger generation.
There is a lot to learn and to apply to one’s own philosophy and way of life.
The narrator Cindy Kay is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involve, JK

GOOD

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Full of fascinating information. This book will not explain the Japan of today, but that does not lessen its value as an objective while sympathetic study of a culture.

Japan as it was Just after WWII

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I have meant to read this for some time. I definitely have a greater-than-before understanding of Nipponese culture. However, I will need to read it again, maybe twice, before I can really “follow” all of this material. It is quite complex at times.

very interesting

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Chrysanthemum is well written and presented but it’s obviously not the guide to Japan that it might have been 80yrs ago when written.

Historically interesting but outdated

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This book is valuable if you're interested in history of anthropology or a snapshot of immediate postwar Japan. Other than that, it's horribly outdated and does little in explaining Japan of 2024.

Outdated book

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