Benedict, Ruth. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Studies in Patterns of Japanese Culture, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1946.

A sociological study of Japanese culture concentrating on its dual philosophy of cultural sophistication (the "chrysanthemum") and military prowess (the "sword"). Stokes notes in his biography that Mishima read Benedict's work and praised her for calling attention to the militaristic aspect of Japan rather than focusing exclusively on the delicacy and charm of its culture and traditions as other historians and sociologists conventionally do.

Chan, Sucheng. Asian Americans: An Interpretive History, New York: Twayne Publishers, 1982.

A comprehensive and thorough history of Asian migration to North America. Brings to light the poverty and economic disenfranchisement precipitated in Asian countries by western infiltration and forcible opening of trade ports, belying the myth that Asians migrated voluntarily to North America in search of the "Ameri-can dream." Includes concise chronology of Asian American...