Author Description

<p>Synopsis</p><p>This book presents the following: (1) the facts and myths concerning Minoa; (2) the catastrophic earthquakes, tsunami, and volcanic eruption in the Aegean Sea; (3) Greece before and after its Dark Ages; and (4) their historical connection with Japan s ancient society. Some historical developments of civilization are deeply rooted in the awful apocalyptic events of nature which were metamorphosed or personalized later by mythologies. That being the case, there is an undeniable mythological similarity between Greece and Japan. </p><p><br></p><p>WORDS OF PRAISE</p><p><br></p><p>Nakamura's scholarly, magnificent sweep of the cultural and socioeconomic advances by Minoan society [on Crete] in ancient times opened my eyes to a historic period with lessons for today’s world. A must-read book that deepens our understanding of how extreme weather changes the way people live, and if their nations survive.</p><p> --Clair Brown, Economics Professor at UC Berkeley, author of Buddhist Economics: An Enlightened Approach to the Dismal Science</p><p><br></p><p>At this moment in the 21st century when humanity is increasingly reminded of the enormous powers of nature to surprise humans and wreak havoc on what humans have created on planet earth, philosopher Toru Nakamura has introduced this instructive short book about two extraordinary (what he terms) catastrophes of nature, and the enormous distortions they caused in the patterns and possibilities for human survival and progress in the ancient world: Thera Island’s volcanic eruption and tsunami 3600 years ago on Crete, the home of the advanced and dynamic Minoan society; and about 2000 years ago the 'Nankai Trough' massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan. </p><p><br></p><p>Through meticulous cross-disciplinary research, the author has kitted together colorful comprehensive portrayals of societal development and human achievement in the centuries before the two catastrophes of nature, followed by the chaos and dark