Born in Aberdeenshire in 1838, Thomas Blake Glover was a widely-travelled merchant and a key figure in the industrialisation of Japan. Using material which has only recently become available, Michael Gardiner's highly readable and informative biography of this remarkable man offers a balanced view of his legacy. From a historical perspective, Gardiner discusses his centrality to the modern system of Japanese government and the Japanese Imperial Navy, as well as to the growth of Mitsubishi, Kirin beer and communications between Japan and Scotland. This biography is a celebration of Scottish-Japanese relations and Glover's legacy.