Booray

Been meaning to read that book for a while and always forget to pick it up. Just saw this news story. Very sad



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,138227,00.html

In case you're not familiar with her most famous book, here's a description from Amazon.com:

"In December 1937, the Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking. Within weeks, more than 300,000 Chinese civilians were systematically raped, tortured, and murdered--a death toll exceeding that of the atomic blasts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. Using extensive interviews with survivors and newly discovered documents, Iris Chang has written what will surely be the definitive history of this horrifying episode. The Rape of Nanking tells the story from three perspectives: of the Japanese soldiers who performed it, of the Chinese civilians who endured it, and of a group of Europeans and Americans who refused to abandon the city and were able to create a safety zone that saved almost 300,000 Chinese. Among these was the Nazi John Rabe, an unlikely hero whom Chang calls the "Oskar Schindler of China" and who worked tirelessly to protect the innocent and publicize the horror. More than just narrating the details of an orgy of violence, The Rape of Nanking analyzes the militaristic culture that fostered in the Japanese soldiers a total disregard for human life. Finally, it tells the appalling story: about how the advent of the Cold War led to a concerted effort on the part of the West and even the Chinese to stifle open discussion of this atrocity. Indeed, Chang characterizes this conspiracy of silence, that persists to this day, as "a second rape."

__________________
Persuaded, paraded, inebriated, and down
Still aware of everything life carries on without

jorgelito

Thank you for starting this thread and saying a few words about Iris Chang.

I was a bit surprised that on such a big board that this is the only thread concerning this huge event. I tend to be shy and introverted (yes even behind the anonymity of the 'net') but I can stay silent no more. Someone has to carry on the dialogue Iris Chang started and illuminate those that don't know.

This event is probably more profound than any of us realize. Aside from the tragic circumstances surrounding an abrupt ending, humanity has lost a "voice", a talented speaker for those who cannot speak for themselves, but cry out for justice from the mass graves.

The subject she dealt with is a monumental one. For context, try to imagine a 30 year old Jewish-American woman researching and discovering the horrors and cover up of the Holocaust. To be a sole voice for unspeakable horrors, and then, to be challenged, threatened, and dismissed. I belive that to be a heavy burden to bear, and ultimately, proved too much.

I wonder, who will continue her work, carry on the fight for justice?

I met Iris Chang about a year and a half ago at a book reading and signing. TO say the least, she was an extraordinary woman. I was inspired by her.

Well, hopefully you will read that book, and maybe when you're done, pass it along to someone else, or better yet, they can purchase a copy too. I hope, in some way, something good can come from this.

Thank you for your time.

Mephisto2

I've read it. It's harrowing to say the least.

The lack of general interest and the success of the cover-up is just another manisfestation of contempory Japan's revisionism and simply denial of the "Pacific Holocaust". At least in Germany they don't try to rewrite history.

Mr Mephisto

jaded

i completely agree with the above. a country with rewritten history books in school and a shrine for war criminals to be worshipped publicly by even the prime minister, japan is in utter denial of its dark past. what a shame.