Price:    $14.95 (may vary)

Pros:     Reprint of long-out of print book; subject matter still little written about.

Cons:    Info. a bit superficial, even for a 30-year-old book; color plates simplistic.

 It is unnerving to realize that the Osprey Men-At-Arms series was launched 30 years ago! Its earliest titles did not even have series numbers. While some of the early titles have been reworked and republished over the years, other early titles in this extensive series have not been available for many years. 

Recently, Osprey reprinted some of its early, unnumbered titles just as they appeared nearly 30 years ago. This title, JAPANESE ARMY OF WORLD WAR II, is one that has been long out of print but has again seen the light of day. 

In one sense, this book is still useful. Unlike German Armed Forces in WW2, little has been published on Japanese uniforms in the last 30 years. Many accounts of tactics, training, weaponry, and the like have been published, but not much on the uniforms & insignia of the Emperor’s army.  

The color plates are simplistic, but that was the style of the original Osprey artwork 30 years ago. They do illustrate some unique uniforms and items–Japanese paratroopers, tankers, take-down rifles, submachine guns, and “turtle armor.” The reader used to the more exact artwork of current Osprey titles may find these older plates a bit disappointing. Still, the subject matter of the plates is comprehensive–as well as the subjects listed above, there are officers, infantrymen, and even a JAAF pilot. The photos are numerous and of good quality. 

The text is more difficult to evaluate. There are a few photos of weapons such as artillery, machine guns, AFVs, and rifles, but the descriptions of same in the text are broad, general, and a bit vague. A lot was known in the early 1970s about Japanese AFVs & weaponry, and the reader unfamiliar with the details will have to look elsewhere for more info. 

Is this book worth purchasing? Perhaps. Osprey has announced two volumes on the WW-II Japanese Army  in the Men-At-Arms series for release in early 2002. That forthcoming two-volume set should supplant this book. However, this older book still has a place as a decent one-volume introduction to WW-II JAAF uniforms. Decide for yourself... 

Review courtesy of me & my wallet! 

Comments: BobShoop@aol.com