A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding

You can learn about history by studying history books and memorizing dates. To know history you have to hear the stories of the real people involved. A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding gave me an understanding of world war two that I did not have before and greatly appreciate now.  At the beginning of each chapter Jackie Copleton gives the definition of a Japanese concept which I think was an extraordinary way of introducing what comes next.  This books covers difficult and uncomfortable ideas in a gentle and healing way.