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Three Tigers, One Mountain

A Journey Through the Bitter History and Current Conflicts of China, Korea, and Japan

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Three Tigers, One Mountain

By: Michael Booth
Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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About this listen

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states, "Two tigers cannot share the same mountain." However, in East Asia, there are three tigers on that mountain: China, Japan, and Korea, and they have a long history of turmoil and tension with each other.

In his latest entertaining and thought-provoking narrative travelogue, Michael Booth sets out to discover how deep, really, the enmity is between these three "tiger" nations and what prevents them from making peace. Currently, China's economic power continues to grow, Japan is becoming more militaristic, and Korea struggles to reconcile its Westernized South with the dictatorial Communist North.

Booth, long fascinated with the region, travels by car, ferry, train, and foot, experiencing the people and culture of these nations up close. No matter where he goes, the burden of history and the memory of past atrocities continue to overshadow present relationships. Ultimately, Booth seeks a way forward for these closely intertwined, neighboring nations.

An enlightening, entertaining and sometimes sobering journey through China, Japan, and Korea, Three Tigers, One Mountain is an intimate and in-depth look at some of the world's most powerful and important countries.

©2020 Michael Booth (P)2020 Tantor Asia Political Science Politics & Government Travel Writing & Commentary World South Korea Tiger War Military Japan History Culture Current Politics China Culture

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All stars
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these issues are so politically charged that their treatment will be controversial no matter what. Other reviews have suggested a bias toward Japan in the author, yet I think he recognises this and offers a remarkably accessible insight into these bitter national conflicts by discussing it with anyone from YouTubers to anthropology professors. To pair such traumatic national history with the experience of travelling said nations today is a fascinating project. Somehow, the disturbing history of comfort women and Japanese imperialism is balanced by the humour of a Korean man playing golf in torrential rain, or a mini locomotive. A very good book.

Entertaining, insightful, and steeped in learned conversation, but…

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Very interesting travelogue of the history and current relationships between China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, by Michael Booth

Very interesting travelogue of China, South Korea,

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I agree with the other reviewers saying the author's Japan apologism is rather blatant, and there were times I felt offended on behalf of the Korean people especially when the author describes even their waiters, cars and architecture unfavourably in comparison with Japan. He emphasises atrocities committed by the Japanese, and yet you always hear the "but" hovering, and generally it shows up, too. There are no buts for the war crimes of China or Korea.

That being said, it is informative and in parts insightful, rather entertaining, and I emphatically agree with the author that it would benefit the region (and the rest of the world) if history was written and taught as it happened, to the best of our collective knowledge, instead of being subject to politics or a sore national pride. (That one goes to my history teacher in junior high who tried to make the Finnish Continuation War sound noble.)

Informative political travel diary, not unbiased

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NE Asia leads the world economically and in many ways culturally, and the interplay between these 3 (4 including Taiwan) makes for a fascinating portrait of the strengths and hang ups of each.

It's easy to see a Japanese bias and also to see the Japanese as the villain, but would any other Empire get very different reactions from the countries that it invaded? It causes me to reflect on how other countries feel about my own nations legacy with the British Empire. A lot of what went on in the first half of the Twentieth Century would have been fairly unremarkable a century or two further back in history.

It's well narrated and I learned a fair bit.

History from 3 (or 4) sides

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The question of how to deal with the crimes of history links directly to the pushback from the nationalist right wing, exaggeration for propaganda purposes by authoritarian governments and the related theme of reconciliation and its challenges, with the author exploring the phenomenon deftly exploring the reasons for seemingly sincere apologies being deemed insufficient and thus unacceptable. I chose this title against my instincts (as I would not usually wish for the eyes of an outsider — in this case, a Western perspective) on the recommendation of a native of one of the Tigers, and am very glad I did.

Standout exploration of fabled and ancient geo-political rivalries in the Far East

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Increasing interest in this world region stimulated my curiosity to learn more about the bitterness and complex relationship between these three tigers. I greatly enjoyed this study, especially due to the extensive research conducted by the author, both academically and anthropologically.
The dry, self-depracating humour woven into this travelogue balanced the recounting of many difficult and sensitive topics.

Extensive research and consultation of a cross-section of society

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I struggled to understand how someone so knowledgeable about the topic could get almost every Korean word or name so badly wrong but then I saw that it was not read by the author. Taking a step back, the author has a brilliantly engaging style and the narrator's British accent ensures that every point is portrayed with conviction. Well worth listening to.

Hugely informative

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this is one of the book you would wish to come back again after awhile

absolutely amazing book

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A wonderfully well-researched and well-written exploration of three Asian cultures. Humane and witty: like the very best journalism. Excellent as an audio book for long car journeys as well as for a book at bedtime. Also a joy to listen to a narrator who has taken the trouble to learn the correct pronunciation of foreign place names (sadly not always the case on Audible).

Insightful, informed and entertaining

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I liked this book, it covers a number of important topics and covers them quite well. I wouldn't consider this book to be the only source and I don’t think that was the author's objective. Overall, it was enjoyable and informative.

Very informative

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