Necessary background for Zen hype!
After Victoria's critical discussion of how Zen ideology supported Japan's militarism before, during and even after the II. World War (Zen at War), this second book provides a detailed picture of how deeply the Japanese military was indeed influenced by the same ideology.
Presumably shocking to many Zen afficionados, both books together provide much needed historical background to show how even an allegedly pacifistic religion like Buddhism can develop into a fashist, inhuman ideology.
Zen War Stories can be read on its own, but is easier to follow after having read the first book. Therefore only four stars, otherwise it is an excellent book.