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This week I'm going to recommend Old Man's War by John Scalzy, which I can't remember

if I've recommended before, but even if I have, it's

really good, so if you didn't read it, well, you should.

John Scalzy is one of my favorite authors.

Old Man's War is, in my opinion, his best book, so if you've never had a chance to experience

the Galactic Military Adventures of John Perry, well, here's your lucky day.

Go to audibletrial.com slash Japan to claim your copy.

Thank you. Hello, and welcome to the History of Japan podcast, episode 321, The Regent.

So first things first, yes, as a few of you did notice, the opening music is different now.

That's because when I upgraded my computer a few weeks ago, the hard drive that had the old version of the music was damaged.

Fortunately, all my notes are backed up online.

I was able to find the original file again, but in the process I actually found a different file of the same song, a different performance, I should say,

and I actually liked that one a little better, so I decided to change the music, so it's the same

song, Miyakunoharu, just a different performance of it. Now, today we're going to do something

very rude. We're going to read someone's diary, though to be fair this person has been dead

for a thousand years, so I've supposed we've passed out of the realm of shameless breach of trust

...