The Rape of Nanking

Name: The Rape of Nanking
Author: Iris Chang
ISBN: 9780465068355

by Iris Chang

A groundbreaking, deeply disturbing historical investigation into the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, uncovering the forgotten atrocities of World War II through survivor testimonies and archival evidence.

Unearthing the horrors of a forgotten holocaust.

In December 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army swept into the Chinese city of Nanking (Nanjing). Over the course of six weeks, soldiers engaged in an unprecedented campaign of mass murder, systemic torture, and widespread sexual violence against hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Through meticulous historical research, interviews with aging survivors, and recovered diaries from Western witnesses like John Rabe, Iris Chang restored a catastrophic human tragedy to global memory, examining both the brutality of war and its psychological toll on humanity.

Dark historical archive tones reflecting the solemn memory of the Nanjing massacre.

“

A moral imperative of historical recording, giving voice to the victims of an unspeakable tragedy.

KODAMA / EDITORIAL NOTE

The author 1968 — 2004

Iris Chang

Iris Chang was an American historian, journalist, and author renowned for her tireless dedication to exposing historical atrocities and giving voice to the marginalized and forgotten.

Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Chang pursued a career in investigative journalism and historical writing. Her profound courage in uncovering the Nanking massacre permanently changed how the world understands the Pacific theater of World War II.

ABOUT IRIS CHANG

Also the author of The Chinese in America and Thread of the Silkworm.

A few things that make the book even more intriguing.

Uncovering the 'Chinese Schindler'.

Chang discovered the diaries of John Rabe, a German businessman who used his Nazi party status to establish a safety zone and save thousands of Chinese lives.

A massive bestseller impact.

The book spent over ten weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and sparked international awareness, debates, and educational curricula regarding war crimes.

Rigorous archival investigation.

Chang combed through dusty archives across multiple continents, translating firsthand accounts, military reports, and photographic evidence.

Profound psychological weight.

The intense emotional trauma of documenting extreme wartime atrocities profoundly affected Chang during and after the writing process.

On screen

Documentaries & Visual Legacy.

The book's revelations inspired major documentary features examining the historical tragedy.

2007

Nanking (Documentary Film)

A documentary film directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, based heavily on Iris Chang's research and focusing on the Western expatriates who saved thousands in the Safety Zone.

Watch

The story behind the book.

An in-depth review and historical analysis of Iris Chang's landmark work, The Rape of Nanking.

BOOK REVIEW Iris Chang · The Rape of Nanking · Review & Historical Context

Solemn architectural memorial tones under a quiet sky.

Legacy

A monument to historical truth.

The Rape of Nanking ensured that one of the darkest chapters of the twentieth century would never be erased from human memory. It stands as an enduring testament to the power of investigative historical writing.

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