Three Tigers, One Mountain: A Journey through the Bitter History and Current Conflicts of China, Korea and Japan

Good book which explains the relationship between Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. Writer is negatively biased about Japan Despite that, this is good book.

“Two tigers cannot share the same mountain.” ~ Ancient Chinese ProverbThree Tigers, One Mountain is a part travelogue, part history book exploring the long history of turmoil between China, Korea, and Japan. The author takes us on an informative and enjoyable journey through China, Japan, and Korea and also Hong Kong and Taiwan.Written more like a travelogue, each chapter is based in a city and explores its associated history and its current state. The author gives the historical/political background of each country to give the reader an insight into the reasons based on history, politics & culture as to why there continues to be so much tension between these countries.This is not purely a history book or a travel diary but also attempts to speak with a multitude of people from all walks of life including politicians, academics, former govt officials, and even YouTubers. The interviews were particularly interesting and a glimpse into the psyche of the citizens of each country. I really liked how it tried to understand viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum. The history combined with these viewpoints painted a very comprehensive portrait of these countries, their citizens, and their complex, relationships with their neighbors.This is not a history book. So, if you are looking for a deeper understanding of the historical issues between the countries, it may feel insufficient. Also the historical coverage, incl the post-WWII event feels light.However, Booth does a good job of combining history with his own experiences to keep the readers engaged. This book was both informative and thoroughly entertaining. If you are interested in Asian History as well as exploring the countries and people, this book will be a good choice.

Michael Booth explores the relationships between China, Japan and Korea in this book, whose title derived from a Chinese saying “there is only room for one tiger on a mountain”. The book mixes travelogue with geopolitics as the author travels around the three countries, interviewing a mix of academics and ordinary people regarding how each of the three nations regards the other two. There are plenty of points of conflict explored: a museum to the Nanjing massacre, the notorious wartime Unit 731 Japanese biological weapons unit and more. There is also a lighter side as the author observes day to day life in a manner that reminded me, at times, of the great travel writer Bill Bryson. Even if you have travelled through these countries yourselves extensively there is plenty to learn, and the writing style is entertaining. Recommended.

Michael Booth has travelled to Japan, South Korea and China, and less extensively in Taiwan, to ascertain why nations that would seem to have much in common rarely seem to be on anything but bad terms. Japan’s invasion and long occupation of two of the others, plus the odd spectacular massacre, look like being key reasons, but of course it’s more complicated – and more interesting – than that.The author has done a good job with this book in balancing face-to-face interviews and secondary sources with just enough historical and cultural context to make sense of what he finds. A streak of dry humour also helps. In terms of production, this is a straight-up-and-down book, even if my copy wasn’t quite printed straight on the page. There is an index and a single (serviceable) map, but no separate notes or bibliography and, mystifyingly for a travelogue, no photographs. Cost savings, no doubt.But this is one for the lay reader - uncluttered and entertaining – and easy to recommend.

How much you enjoy this book will depend on what you are hoping to get out of it. If you are looking for a travelogue then I would go for a different option, however if you are looking for an insight into the recent past and the social & cultural interactions of these 4/5 countries then it is a wonderful introduction.It's even more important and relevant these days as here in the UK we are still getting to grips with our own imperial legacy.As someone that has always had a fascination with this part of Asia, but has never visited I couldn't recommend this book more.The insights I felt when comparing this to Britain show just how difficult these topics are and how much further we all have to go to ensure we continue to revisit and explore both the 'good' and 'bad' parts of our respective history, while hopefully progressing to an equitable and shared future

Well written, in the form of a travelogue. The easily accessible information is covered, as are the main historical events. The style is good, with wit. Nice read.If you are not familiar with the region, it's a good place to start.However it does not dig under the surface, nor really involve any analysis. The 'new Chinese empire' , mostly in Africa, is not covered. The development of that empire is telling about Chinese government thinking.The post war industrial developments of Japan, S Korea, and Japan are similar, with government intervention and funding. ( But China didn't start until the 80s.).I'll throw in a bit about trade balances. The Japan population is about three times that of S. Korea. Japan exports to S. Korea are going on twice what Korea exports to Japan. Please discuss !

I like the easy to read tone of the book, however gave a lot of researched information about this intriguing but complex part of world.