Japan's Ocean Borderlands

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'Working in the eye-opening field of 'political ecology,' Kreitman shows how exploiting nature and conserving it both serve to 'perform' sovereignty.' Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs 'An entertaining and enlightening book.' Bill Hayton, Asian Affairs 'After reading this book, the reader can grasp the fluidity that surrounds these territories, invisible at a bird's-eye view. Their sovereignty, resources, and even geography and natural features have changed over time, influenced by both the oceanic environment and human activity.' Beatriz Martinez-Rius, H-Net 'The book's overall significance lies in its exploration of the role of the environment in geopolitical and imperial history, particularly in the context of Japan's oceanic territories. It provides a unique perspective on how ecological considerations can influence territorial claims, and the interplay between environmental conservation and national sovereignty.' Niki J. P. Alsford, International Journal of Maritime History 'Scholars of Japanese history will find Kreitman's arguments about the importance of bird islands and Japan's Pacific borderlands to Japanese imperial politics and identity to be engaging and perhaps surprising ... Anyone working in maritime history will appreciate Kreitman's contributions to exploring the biopolitics of extraction, empire, and conservation ... Finally, Kreitman's prose is engaging, and he explains his important ideas clearly. His writing style is accessible enough to attract the attention of anyone in the reading public interested in histories of nature, maritime exploitation, the Pacific, or Japanese empire. The book is a valuable addition to the scholarship on colonial Asia as well as oceanic history.' David J. McCaskey, H-Net Reviews 'An important read for scholars of Pacific history, environmental history, and Empire studies.' Nathan Samayo, Journal of Pacific History