Sons of Heaven: A Portrait of the Japanese Monarchy

``The Japanese monarchy is the oldest and most mystery-enshrouded in existence, and this social history of it, the first comprehensive modern one to be published, is engrossing,'' stated PW. ``Writing in a style at once scholarly and entertaining . . . Packard provides a mass of interesting information about the austerities, rituals and daily routine of a Japanese monarch's life.'' PW chose this as one of the best nonfiction books of 1987. Photos. (July)