Review: Green Star Japan: Esperanto and the International Language Question, 1880–1945 (by Ian Rapley)

This book is not a simple, chronological history of Esperanto, as its subject cannot be easily described in a straightforward and linear manner. It revisits certain periods multiple times, examining them from different viewpoints and with varying focus. The result is a multifaceted history that reveals two key themes: the diverse visions of Japan at the time and the role of language in relation to these visions. Finally, Rapley’s writing is excellent, if not captivating, making the book a joy to read from start to finish.