Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang 1

The Rape of Nanking is a non-fiction book that describes the events leading up to the Nanking Massacre, which was the mass murder and mass rape of Chinese civilians committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Nanking during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

The book provides graphic details of the war crimes and atrocities committed by Japanese troops and criticizes the Japanese government for its refusal to rectify the atrocities. It also criticizes the Japanese people for their ignorance about the massacre.

One of the primary themes of the book is nationalism/Japanese identity, which Chang places at least some of the blame for the events at Nanking on the development of nationalist and the Japanese identity.

Another theme is the postwar reaction to the massacre, especially that of the American and European governments. The book also examines the circumstances that have kept knowledge of the massacre out of public consciousness decades after the war.

What I Liked

I’m thankful that this book exists. And I’m thankful that Iris Chang was able to stare right into the research and write this book. I appreciate the structure, detail, and pacing. It’s not a dense, academic book – it’s meant to tell this story to a wide audience and ensure that the world does not forget.

What I Did Not Like

I mean…it’s a full-on “eat your vegetables” history book. It’s rough and you gotta be in a clear eyed place to read it. But the actual book – there’s nothing that I wish was changed.

Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang
$14.73
Iris Chang's The Rape of Nanking dives into the horrific events of the Nanking Massacre, where countless Chinese civilians faced unimaginable violence at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The book doesn't hold back on the graphic details and critiques both the Japanese government and its people for their denial and ignorance about this dark chapter in history. I appreciate how Chang presents this story in a way that’s accessible to everyone, though it’s definitely a heavy read. Overall, I’m grateful for its existence and how it keeps these atrocities in the public eye.
Pros:
  • The book provides graphic and important details about the Nanking Massacre.
  • I appreciate the structure, detail, and pacing of the writing.
  • It successfully tells a crucial story to a wide audience, ensuring the events are not forgotten.
Cons:
  • It's a difficult read and requires a clear mindset to engage with the content.
  • There's nothing that I wish was changed.
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02/13/2025 10:31 pm GMT
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