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The Rape of Nanking

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'The Rape of Nanking' by Iris Chang is a harrowing and eye-opening account of the Japanese atrocities committed in Nanking during WWII. The book delves into the brutal occupation of Nanking, detailing the mass carnage, mutilations, rapes, and dehumanizations that occurred. Chang's writing style is factual and unemotional, presenting a clear and straightforward exposition of the events that took place, while also highlighting the lack of accountability of the Japanese government and people.

Chang's book not only sheds light on a dark chapter in history but also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from past atrocities. Through first-hand accounts, testimonies, and detailed descriptions, Chang exposes the cover-up of the grand scale atrocities in Nanking and challenges readers to confront the capacity of humankind for such brutality. Despite the graphic and disturbing nature of the content, the book is praised for its thoroughness, historical significance, and the author's effort to promote humanity and understanding amidst the horrors depicted.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is clear, direct, and often emotionally charged, effectively communicating the horror of the events.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles the Nanking Massacre, detailing brutal atrocities committed by Japanese forces and the efforts of a few foreigners to protect civilians.

Setting:

Set in Nanking during WWII, the backdrop highlights a city in chaos amidst the brutal Japanese invasion.

Pacing:

The pacing retains a relentless intensity, necessitating breaks for the reader to process the content.
IN TRYING to understand the actions of the Japanese, the questions that call out loudest for answers are the most obvious ones. What broke down on the scene to allow the behavior of Japanese soldiers ...

Notes:

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang details the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during their invasion of Nanking, China, in 1937-1938.
An estimated 300,000 civilians were killed and 20,000 to 80,000 women were raped within six weeks during the massacre.
Chang wrote the book to highlight two main atrocities: the massacre itself and the subsequent cover-up by Japan and the world.
The narrative is told from three perspectives: Japanese soldiers, Chinese survivors, and Western foreigners who tried to help.
Iris Chang dedicated her book to remembering the victims, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves.
John Rabe, a Nazi party member, helped create the International Safety Zone, which saved many lives during the massacre.
The book also addresses how Japan has historically denied or downplayed the events of the Rape of Nanking in its educational system.
Chang's writing combines personal accounts, statistics, and historians' views, making it a powerful historical document.
The book caused controversy and backlash from Japanese nationalists, and its author faced intense scrutiny and pressure after its release.
Iris Chang struggled with her mental health after immersing herself in the research for this book, leading to her tragic suicide in 2004.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic violence, sexual assault, murder, torture, and historical trauma.

From The Publisher:

The New York Times bestselling account of one of history's most brutal - and forgotten - massacres, when the Japanese army destroyed China's capital city on the eve of World War II

In December 1937, one of the most horrific atrocities in the long annals of wartime barbarity occurred. The Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking (what was then the capital of China), and within weeks, more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers were systematically raped, tortured, and murdered. In this seminal work, Iris Chang, whose own grandparents barely escaped the massacre, tells this history from three perspectives: that of the Japanese soldiers, that of the Chinese, and that of a group of Westerners who refused to abandon the city and created a safety zone, which saved almost 300,000 Chinese.

Drawing on extensive interviews with survivors and documents brought to light for the first time, Iris Chang's classic book is the definitive history of this horrifying episode.

"Chang vividly, methodically, records what happened, piecing together the abundant eyewitness reports into an undeniable tapestry of horror." - Adam Hochschild, Salon

Ratings (14)

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1 comment(s)

It Was OK
8 months

Very graphic, hard to get through

 
 
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