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The first complete biography of Matthew Calbraith Perry to appear in well over thirty years, this balanced assessment of the commodore's long and varied military career deals with both his strengths and weaknesses. Best remembered for leading a naval and diplomatic expedition to Japan in 1853 and 1854, Perry succeeded where others before him had failed and ended Japan's isolation from the West by signing a treaty that established formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. Today Perry remains a respected figure in Japan as well as the United States, and the upcoming sesquicentennial of his expedition makes the publication of this book especially timely.

The noted naval historian John Schroeder draws on recent scholarship as well as archival sources to examine every phase of Perry's career, from his service under Commodore John Rodgers in the War of 1812 to command of the Africa Squadron, the Gulf Squadron in the Mexican War, and the East India Squadron. He describes Perry's efforts to modernize and improve the efficiency of the Navy, distinguishing himself not only as a sailor and diplomat but as a naval reformer who advocated technological innovations and better education and training for officers and sailors alike. The author establishes how Perry's views on American expansion in the Pacific foreshadowed the era in which the U.S. Navy would be instrumental in forging an overseas colonial empire. Written for general readers with an interest in nineteenth-century American history, this interpretive biography will also appeal to those with a specialized interest in U.S. naval history. ... Read more

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This reader uses primary sources to illuminate the intellectual, political, and cultural history of Europe from 1900 century to the present. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

On time delivery, Perfect condition
I received the book sooner than I expected and it was in perfect condition.I ordered this book for a class at Ashford University and the book itself is well written and a lot of the information is useful and good to know, even in every day life.

Very pleased
nice quick service and delivery, book was in great condition!! I would definately buy from this seller again. ... Read more

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Matthew J. Perry: The Man, His Times, and His Legacy chronicles the life and accomplishments of the attorney who led the struggle for desegregation in South Carolina, served as a primary legal advocate in the national civil rights movement, and became South Carolina's first African American U.S. District Court judge. In this volume, scholars of the civil rights era, fellow civil rights activists, jurists, attorneys, a governor, and an award-winning photojournalist join together to produce a multilayered biography of Matthew J. Perry. Collectively they bring to light the remarkable achievements of a man well known in his home state but sometimes obscured on the national stage by the shadows of Thurgood Marshall, J. Waties Waring, and Charles Hamilton Houston.

This volume tells the story of Perry's life, including his humble beginnings in Columbia, his service to the nation during wartime, his remarkable career as a creator of positive social change, and, finally, his achievements as a respected member of the federal judiciary. The contributors describe Perry’s courage, skills as an orator, quick legal mind, and genteel nature. They set his story in the turbulent civil–rights–era South,revealing how broad social, historical, and legal issues affected Perry’s life and shaped the trajectory of his activist and professional life. The volume underscores how Perry enabled his home state to escape from Jim Crow's clutches with much less turmoil than many of its neighbors.

Published in concert with the dedication of the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina, this life story portrays an esteemed juror whose grace and resiliency led South Carolina into the twentieth century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Gentleman Lawyer
This books does more than just tell you about the gentleman lawyer, Matthew J. Perry, it sets the scene for him before, during and now in South Carolina.The book puts in perspectivewhat Perry had to deal with as he fought for the rights of South Carolina's African American citizens.He is an unflappable, decisive, thorough, warm, honest human being and a civil rights attorney par excellence. It is well written, with various contributors talking about him based on their experiences. It is well documented, so that it may also be used as a reference tool.It is timely and very readable.I recommend it highly. ... Read more

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Originally published in 1890.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Subtitle: Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M.c. Perry, United States Navy ...General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1856Original Publisher: D. Appleton and CompanySubjects: United States Naval Expedition to Japan, 1852-1854JapanUnited StatesUnited States Naval Expedition to Japan/ (1852-1854)History / Asia / JapanHistory / Military / United StatesHistory / United States / 19th CenturyHistory / Expeditions ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Traces the efforts of Commodore Matthew Perry to use force and diplomacy to end Japan's traditional isolationism and to begin trade with the Asian nation. ... Read more

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Discusses the role of Commodore Matthew Perry in the events from 1852-1854 which terminated Japan's isolation from the rest of the world. ... Read more

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In 1853, few Japanese people
knew that a country
called America even existed.

For centuries, Japan had isolated itself from the outside world by refusing to trade with other countries and even refusing to help shipwrecked sailors, foreign or Japanese. The country's people still lived under a feudal system like that of Europe in the Middle Ages. But everything began to change when American Commodore Perry and his troops sailed to the Land of the Rising Sun, bringing with them new science and technology, and a new way of life.

Customer Reviews (4)

Incredible story- loved it!
We purchased this book because it was required reading for my rising 6th grader.He is a very good reader and could read this book.However, it is non-fiction.He loves fiction and wasn't really motivated to read this.We read this together- taking turns reading pages.We quickly got into the story.Unlike some non-fiction, this book is a story.We both learned so many things about Commodore Perry and his expedition to the Land of the Shogun, Japan.We both thoroughly enjoyed the story.It has many pictures which added greatly to the story.The pictures are drawings by the parties involved in this expedition- the Japanese and the Americans.The drawings are a fascinating part of the story as you get to see how people are viewed by the different cultures.The story also is told from the different perspectives- from the Japanese and the American perspectives.Thus, we can understand why the Japanese were not interested in trading with foreigners.Certainly this topic is relevant to some of our problems today.Our fear of foreigners is certainly causing controversy in modern times in the US.Maybe we can learn a lesson?This book is not political though and does not give a "message".It is a very good, well balanced story that leaves it to the reader to make their own conclusions.Either way, it's an excellent book.I highly recommend it for ages 9-14.You may want to read it with your child unless they love non-fiction -especially for younger ones.My child read it with me at age 11 so any 9 year old readers would need to be gifted readers or very interested in this topic (historical non-fiction) in my judgement.

Journey to Japan with Commodore Perry
Beginning as the "giant dragons puffing smoke" descended upon the fishing village of Shimoda, this book chronologically follows Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition and subsequent opening of Japan for trade with the United States.This volume, which appears to have been extremely well-researched, fits the actions and reaction of both the Japanese and the westerners into an unbiased and even context.Japanese feudal society is explained, as well as Japan's historically isolationist position, and it is pointedly explained just how much misinformation about one another each side believed.One point that will stand out to most readers is the irony of how each side looked upon the other - as barbarians in need of civilizing; and just how much politics and personality impacts the face of world relations.

Artwork is less abundant than in similar texts, but with licensing fees and the rising cost of publishing, this is understandable.A number of Japanese images of Commodore Perry are included, each less flattering than the one before it.The appendices are particularly interesting:a letter from President Millard Fillmore (you just don't see enough about old Millard) to the Emperor of Japan, and a translation of the Emperor's reply; an intriguing list of American Presents for the Japanese (nearly everyone in the Emperor's family or commission received, among other things, at least 5 gallons of whiskey and a revolver), and a similar list of presents from the Japanese for Americans; and the text of the Treaty of Kanagawa.

Fascinating, thorough!
We lived in Japan and I homeschooled when I first read this book.Much more interesting way to learn about the opening of Japan than through a text.Another excellent book that is a great companion to this one is"Born in the Year of Courage."

Its a very good and stuning book...!!!!!
Its a very good book!!!It has alot of detail on the Japanes life in the very old days of the world.Its the best you can get!!!! ... Read more