It was very interesting to know how the modern state was established in Japan during and after the Meiji Restoration. So many bright people got involved in this interesting time of the history of Japan. Shiba Ryotaro is my favorite author and this era when the power switched from Tokugawa Shogunate to the Emperor is my favorite time of the history of Japan. I read so many book written by this author and you will enjoy this book due to so many historical photos and it was written as if Shiba is talking to you.