Japanese castaway gives a whaler’s son in New England a dream – the boy’s dream comes true when he captains the shogun’s flagship – he meets a samurai who wants to change Japan, and beautiful friendship of two men begins. Along with the commodore’s hat, he witnesses the collapse of shogunate and a new sun rising, the birth of new Japan. In the mid-nineteenth century, Japan was deeply entrenched into their isolationist stance. Their brutal treatment of foreigners was known by seamen that sailed in the Pacific. Those who shipwrecked in Japanese waters dared not to seek refuge on nearby shores, preferring to surrender their fate to the waves. At the time some five hundred American whaling ships were working in the Pacific, and whale oil was needed for lighting American homes. Former Prime Minister wrote the introduction of this remarkable novel. The back cover scribing: In 1960, a student-led uprising in Korea created a new and fragile government. However, the political situation was tense and dangerous; order could not be maintained. The very structure of society began to crumble as the people struggled in dire poverty. Hoping to take advantage of the situation, North Korea laid plans for another invasion. But a young patriot, Jong Pil Kim, was unwilling to see his country invaded and ruined. Heroically, he and his fellow officers led the army to overthrow the incompetent government. The new regime made incredible progress in social and economic reform, the positive effect of which still continues today. And yet, the restoration of his country was not the greatest challenge Mr. Kim would face. While he was in office, Mr. Kim accomplished the task, thought to be impossible, of establishing a diplomatic relationship with Japan. Most Koreans still harbored a deep resentment of Japan, and Mr. Kim was branded a traitor. However, he never wavered in his vision, despite this fierce opposition, and was determined to normalize relations between the two countries. His success is an impressive legacy for future generations. Today, Korea and Japan enjoy a harmonious relationship in both politics and culture that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Commodore Perry left his hat behind when his expedition fleet visited Japan. That hat witnessed the rebirth of Japan, and the reinvention of the relationship between Japan and Korea. If that hat could talk, what might it teach America about how true alliances are formed? Jack E. Jon’s remarkable novel, with an introduction by Jong Pil Kim, shows us how history was made.