Engineering Triumphs That Transformed Meiji-era Japan. Here we have an extraordinary book. There are not many English-language books about Japanese railway history, so this is a welcome addition. It is a very well-written, well-researched history, where the author is clearly a master of his subject. It is a nice picture book with about 300 illustrations including maps, old advertising material and other prints in addition to photos. All are printed in color. The book also serves technically minded readers and as an appendix gives a locomotive list (without builder's numbers), and explains the numbering systems and reclassifications. 288 pages, 22x28cm, about 300 illustrations, hb with dust jacket.