In the ruins of empire the japanese surrender and the battle for postwar asia in the ruins of empire the japanese surrender and the battle for postwar asia by spector ronald h 1943 publication date 2007 topics internationale conflicten tweede wereldoorlog publisher. In the ruins of empire the japanese surrender and the battle for postwar asia paperback july 8 2008 by ronald spector author 44 out of 5 stars 30 ratings see all formats and editions. This situation came about from four developments 1 japan surrendered much more quickly after the second atomic bomb at nagasaki that was expected by the allies 2 japan at the time of surrender still maintained a vast empire in asia staffed by a large army that had not experienced defeat in battle 3 victorious forces of the us britain ussr france and the netherlands had n. The new york times said of ronald h spectors classic account of the american struggle against the . Die hard japanese officers plotted to seize the emperors palace to prevent an announcement of surrender and clandestine relief forces were sent to rescue thousands of allied pows to prevent their being massacredin the ruins of empire paints a vivid picture of the postwar intrigues and violence