Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780394589428
ISBN number: 0394589424
Label: Knopf
Manufacturer: Knopf
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 355
Printing Date: January 27, 1992
Publishing house: Knopf
Release Date: January 27, 1992
Sale Popularity Level: 475637
Studio: Knopf
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
During the grand opening celebration of the new American headquarters of an immense Japanese conglomerate, the dead body of a beautiful woman is found. The investigation begins, and immediately becomes a headlong chase through a twisting maze of industrial intrigue and a violent business battle that takes no prisoners.
From the Paperback edition.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
I am not a hard-core Crichton fan, but have read enough of his books to expect a combination of mystery, cutting edge science and some "historical/political" message. You get all three in this novel. As others have said, this is a treatise on Japan...the culture, how they do business, and a good one at that...not very flattering to us in the US and, hence, some of the pans by others. Well, folks, the Japanese may not have taken over the US, but, now in the 2000's, we are still open to outside investment. Lessons may not have been learned and Budweiser has gone to the Belgians. Putting the politics aside, the mystery surrounding the murder relies heavily on being guided by the hero, Conner, and his understanding of the Japanese mind. So folks, you will not be bored by REALLY knowing who dunnit before the end of the book...though you may guess. The use of advanced digital recording and processing is no longer so new, but still an interesting addition to the detectives' bag of tricks. I do agree with some reviewers in that the characters were a bit exaggerated, so only 4 stars. Recommended as a good read for mystery and social commentary.
Rated by buyers 
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Many of the predictions in this book about the Japanese "taking over America" by buying it up have not come true. Indeed, with Japan's current economic decline the alarmist tone of this book is quite laughable. I remember reading it at the time and being somewhat skeptical, but in 2008, this book has almost no relevance except as an example of fear-mongering from a prior decade. The mystery story itself is only so-so. Stick to Jurassic Park or the Andromedia Strain.
Rated by buyers 
-
As with every review here, it is merely an opinion. So very first let met try to find and build a little rapport with a few of potential readers. The Micheal Crichton books which I immensely enjoyed and considered enjoyable reading were Airframe, Disclosure, and Timeline. Airframe, being an immensely captivating read. Disclosure, being one of the few books that led to two sleepless nights of reading. And Timeline, an excellent departure from your typical "Thriller" novel, with a unique and somewhat timeless storyline.
With that said, Rising Sun was a bit of a disappointment. The story is not nearly as suspenseful or intriguing as the above titles. The pace is not nearly as fast, nor are the plot twists as captivating or unexpected as his better novels. The plot is, for the most part, quite linear. There are very few moments when you will wonder (or care) what will happen next. Most times it is quite clear where it is going, and there are VERY few times when a plot twist occurs that you didn't see coming. In other words, no "Cliffhanger" chapter endings, or parts of the story you a waiting in suspense to be resolved.
There are two elements in this book that lead to those disappointments. The very first is the redundant use of the word "Japan" and the "Japanese". It is possible that at the time of this writing it was a groundbreaking topic, and an exposing of the corporate Japanese influence and involvement that was a hot topic and a newsworthy concern in the early 90s but seems rather outdated today. In almost every chapter, if not every page, some reference to the Japanese and how their culture/business practices are incorporated, and how they differ from the United States'. It may not sound like much of a big deal, or perhaps a slightly awakening topic to those who have no clue about these differences, but it is too say the least, redundant.
The second aspect, is the emergence of the Thriller genre competitor, Dan Brown. While some may disregard this as an issue to this actual story or book itself, it is hard to read books like the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and Deception Point, and then transition to a story such the Rising Sun, where the writing, subjects, and incredible plot just does not compare.
But despite the cliches, and exhausting explanations of trivial (i.e. corny) and somewhat outdated Japanese business practices, the book is worth a read. But no highly recommended.
If you were looking for a Micheal Crichton that while still dated but is in easy competition with today's modern thrillers, Airframe and Disclosure are sure fire bets.
Rated by buyers -
I found this to be one of Crichton's most disappointing books. When it was published, it may have found an audience that could relate, but with a currently different economical situation, most of the story is too outdated for a reader to appreciate. The mystery is thrilling, but Crichton ruins it with characters like Graham, who fits the racist anti-Japanese stereotype, and Connor, the enigmatic, all-knowing Sherlock Holmes. Even Connor treats the Japanese like a bit cruelly, referring to them the way a scientist would describe the characteristics of a strain of bacteria. I can see how certain qualities of Asian culture can be annoying, especially in business, but had Crichton written with a bit more diplomacy, his book would be a lot more popular today.
Rated by buyers -
This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed when I read it. Although a detective story, Michael Crichton used this as the background to inform Americans about our competitive relationship with Japan. I have met others who have read this book stating that Crichton was way out of his league when he wrote it. They criticized how he stereotyped the Japanese, but much of what he wrote although somewhat exaggerated were true. As a business student in the 80s, I often read about the tension between American industries and their Japanese counter-parts. Japanese business approaches, practices and attitudes were studied and well documented. Such practices as product dumping were common for Japanese businesses, which drove many American electronics companies to bankruptcy and at a market disadvantage.
I believe that Crichton by writing this novel was trying to alert Americans to the growing threat that concerned many in corporate America. The novel was to serve as a warning not only about Japan's growing economic power, but its aggressive acquisitions of market positions, industries and real estate which were once dominated by Americans.
Accusations of racism are often attributed with this novel, but such thinking is unavoidable as the Japan Ltd. is being scrutinized. As one reads one cannot feel some animosity towards the Japanese, which again is Crichton's purpose to awaken the reader to American interests. One case in point was how when American made cars were purchased in Japan that the consumer was marked for tax audit by the government. What Crichton failed to include was the reason for this was that American cars were the trademark for the Japanese Yakuza, who primarily purchased such cars: thus triggering the tax audits. Such a presentation of "racist" policies by the Japanese are emotionally charged and effective, but are only a partial truth of what was occurring between Japanese and American business relations.
At the time that it was written, none foresaw the economic recession that hit Japan in the mid-1990s, and how it would deflate not only their economies but their national ego as well. One can only speculate where would the two countries be if the recession had not halted Japan's economic advance.
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