This book investigates how national history textbooks in Asia shape collective memory and perpetuate political divisions regarding the conflicts of the twentieth century. The authors, Daniel C. Sneider and Gi-Wook Shin, utilize extensive comparative research to examine the educational curricula of Japan, China, South Korea, and the United States. They argue that these textbooks serve as instruments of state-building and national identity, often prioritizing specific historical narratives that complicate regional reconciliation and diplomatic cooperation.

Experts recognize this work as a critical contribution to the study of historical memory and educational policy in the Asia-Pacific region. Scholars frequently cite the text for its rigorous methodology and its ability to clarify the link between classroom instruction and geopolitical tension.