Publisher's Synopsis
Gen. MacArthur's Ploy is an historical novel about the framing of Japan's constitution. Japan lay in ruins when occupying American and Allied forces came ashore in September, 1945. Major population centers and much of Japan was devastated, people were dying in the streets from starvation and disease, families were lost or scattered. Only a few decades earlier this peaceful, near-feudal society was high-jacked by a clique of the ruling class and became a rogue fascist state aggressively conquering millions in Asia. Now it was over, the monumental task of changing the culture and rebuilding had begun. Fortunately, the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers, Gen. Douglas MacArthur possessed the humanity and skill to guide the perilous process. Russians had already accomplished a takeover of all of Eastern Europe and planned to take part of Japan. MacArthur was not about to let that happen, but had only a small window of opportunity for success that was rapidly closing. To satisfy the terms of surrender and for a sound foundation for future peace and prosperity Japan needed a democratic constitution. In other countries this evolved over many years, in Japan they had but a few months. Success came not just from policy decisions, but more from the passion and hard work of the Occidentals and Orientals intimately involved. From hatred and fear, respect and understanding emerged for most, while persons bent on scuttling the process were put down. Historians have described the details in many books, but none have captured the human drama that took place. Having personal experience in Gen. MacArthur's Command, Valley tells the story from the point of view of a GHQ insider as he brings together fictional and real persons in this entertaining and educational tale which led Japan to the "Bright Life" of a new constitution.
