The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II (Paperback)

The book is organised into three main sections; the first looks at source material of the Rape as it happened from Japanese, Chinese and Western perspectives. The second section is an analysis of such things as how the Rape was reported on at the time, how the Japanese who perpetrated these crimes were, or in some cases were not, punished, and what became of the survivors of the Rape. The third and final section looks at historiography; the ways in which 'history' is made. Chang also attempts to ascertain why a shocking level of selective amnesia seems to surround the Rape, in both Japan and the West. This reduction of the Rape to a mere footnote in most history books dealing with World War Two is what Chang calls 'a second Rape'.

'The Rape of Nanking' is not a light book, and it contains descriptions and pictures of acts so brutal and sordid that it is impossible not to be shocked. But rather than merely describe the events which took place, Chang also sets out clear and convincing arguments about why they took place and in this way she also offers insights into human nature. When faced, for example, with the apparently irreconcilable politeness of Japanese people with the brutality of their soldiers in Nanking, the author argues that politeness may actually be linked to brutality in a Japanese cultural context; Samurai were entitled to chop off a peasant's head if, when asked a question, the peasant did not answer in a way which the Samurai deemed polite enough. It is these immensely perceptive discussions which help make 'The Rape of Nanking' such an important and intellectually powerful book.

In a book crowded with the details of horror, Chang also details the heroic stories of people who, through amazing strength and determination, managed to survive the horrendous mental and physical pain of the Rape. Also interesting are the stories of people such as John Rabe, a Nazi Party Member resident in Nanking at the time of the Rape, who was the head of the committee which ran the Nanking Safety Zone. Dubbed by Chang to be the Schindler of China, Rabe is credited with helping to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chinese.

Ultimately, 'The Rape of Nanking' is about how, in Chang's own words "the veneer of civilisation seems to be exceedingly thin - one that can be easily stripped away, especially by the stresses of war". The book ought to be read, because it will go some way to redress the lack of knowledge in the West about the Rape, but also because the event still impacts upon Sino-Japanese relations to this day. The Rape of Nanking is an event which we should learn about and never forget, and with this book, Chang has given us the opportunity to do so.

Ms. Chang's "The Rape of Nanking" is an easily accessible book to read, if somewhat gut-wrenching at times. It is an undeniable account of the Japanese atrocities and gives an insight into the psychology of the imperial Japanese society of the time. However, what I find really disturbing, after having finished reading this book, is attempting to comprehend how human beings are capable of perpetrating such unimaginable acts of evil and inhumane sadism to fellow human beings. What caused the Japanese to act the way they did, with such a scant and callous disregard for life? Merely the fact that they were "at war" does not come close to justifying their actions.

The Rape of Nanking is an extremely important book if the barbarism of the Japanese during WWII is not to be forever consigned to the realms of history and denial by the subsequent governments of Japan. The Japanese have to accept the truth and face the reality of the atrocities that it's forces committed in its name. Regardless of the fact that these events happened over sixty years ago, it is of vital importance that the world is made aware of what happened. This is the legacy of Ms. Chang's "The Rape of Nanking". Just as the genocide of the Jewish people cannot be forgotten, the events at Nanjing must also be remembered if mankind is to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Only with Japanese recognition of these facts and with a sincere reconciliation and apology can this shameful chapter in Japan's history be finally closed. The truth cannot be denied.