Yankees in the Lland of the Ggods: Commodore Perry and the Opening of Japan

Commodore Matthew Perry sailed for Japan in 1853, intent on securing ports for a Pacific steamship line between San Francisco and Shanghai, and preventing British monopolization of the China trade. ``As vivid as a ship's log, as engrossing as a good novel, Wiley's sweeping chronicle casts fresh light on U.S.-Japanese relations,'' said PW. Photos. (Dec.)