Based in part on the author's first-hand experience during his diplomatic postings to Tokyo and Bonn (1984-93), and supported by significant primary research, this parallel study of the post-war 'resurrection' of two defeated nations provides a striking new and insightful analysis into the nature of Germany and Japan's recovery - highlighting in particular the shared cultural, linguistic, moral and technological factors that were essential for this 'phoenix' phenomenon to take place. Indeed, it is his in-depth investigation into the shared philosophical tradition of renewal, preserved and...