President Fujimori of Peru: The President Who Dared to Dream

by Rei Kimura

A comprehensive biography of Peruvian president, Alberto Fujimori (believed to be the first published in English). The book charts his ascent from the poverty of the Japanese immigrant community in Peru's capital, Lima, to his presidential victory in 1990 and beyond. Includes a detailed account of the political, economic and social circumstances in Peru, Fujimori's dealings with the formidable Shining Path terrorist organisation, and the infamous 127 day Embassy siege of 1996. Thoroughly researched and entertainingly written, this is essential reading for anyone interested in modern South American politics.

Paperback

First published June 24, 2011

About the author

Rei Kimura is a lawyer with a passion for writing about unique events and personalities. She has adopted an interesting style of creating stories around true events and the lives of real people in a number of her books, believing that is the best way of making hidden historical events and people come alive for 21st century readers.
With this objective in mind, Rei has touched on historical events like the horrific sinking of the Awa Maru and the Kamikaze pilots of World War II and woven them into touching stories of the people who lived and died through these events.
Then there are stories of courage, love and rejection beautifully portrayed in “Butterfly In the Wind” a story of the concubine of Townsend Harris, first American consul to Japan, set against the colorful and turbulent era of the Black Ships. This book has touched the hearts of many and been translated into languages from Spanish, Polish, Russian, Dutch to Thai, Hindi, Indonesian, Marathi.
Rei's writing also touches on interesting issues like that raised in “Japanese Magnolia” a book based on the true story of two men, a samurai and a peasant who dared to cross two forbidden areas in feudal Japan, that of homosexuality and a class society “so sharply defined it cut like a knife.”
Other controversial stories she has written include “Japanese Rose” a book which asked the question was there ever a Japanese female kamikaze pilot in the Second World War?
But it's not all history and culture, she also writes on contemporary events like “Aum Shinrikyo-Japan’s Unholy Sect” an expose of the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Occasionally, her love for animals and sense of humor surfaces in this very heart warming and delightful story of a rogue Pomeranian dog, “My Name is Eric,” a complete departure from Rei’s normal story lines but nevertheless, a refreshing one!
Kimura considers her writing as part of the perennial quest for truth, challenge and fulfillment. Her books have been translated into various Asian and European languages and widely read all over the world.
Apart from being a lawyer, Rei Kimura is also a qualified freelance journalist and is associated with the Australian News Syndicate.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book was written in 1998, so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane. I think the last 13 years need to be covered, maybe a new book? I was recalling events of the 90's as I was reading, as someone I've been real close to is from Peru. And this someone had family members killed by the Shining Path. Where is Fujimori now? I know his daughter Keiko is running for office. May she do well. I am not political, but the book is just as much a testimonial to a man who has strong beliefs and his will to overcome obstacles of poverty, class status and race. In this regard it is obvious the author has a deep respect for the man.

[gail ober · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. Either she is the worst writer ever or her translator is.