In December 1937; the Japanese army swept into the ancient city of Nanking. Within weeks; more than 300;000 Chinese civilians and soldiers 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 the definitive history of this horrifying episode.
#1015092 in Books 1982-05-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 #File Name: 0465041191271 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. BRILLIANT...one of the best Lincoln books!By LeaJacqueline23This is one of the most well-rounded; well researched books on Abraham Lincoln's "inner" self I have ever read. In fact I actually think it's the best. It goes beyond facile pop psychology and actually examines every important relationship in the great man's life beginning with his parents. Wife Mary gets a very long chapter of her own and I must say it's fascinating.Lincoln struggled with intimacy issues his entire life. Author Strozier very effectively writes of the often painful push/pull cycle of his personal relationships...how Lincoln struggled with the very real need for intimacy and love that characterizes all human beings; with an equally intense need for distance and freedom. Strozier even shows how a part of him actually NEEDED to be idealized in the lives of the people he chose to allow closeness with him...in order to maintain a certain distance from them at the same time he was engaging and loving them.And indeed; everyone in his circle of family and friends was somewhat in awe of him; even before his rise to prominence and greatness. But they were also frustrated at the ways he purposefully created distance in those relationships; by withdrawing. Sometimes quite literally disappearing for weeks and months from the family who adored him to pursue his career as a circuit lawyer and later as a politician. The explosive effect of his behavior on his complicated relationship with Mary Todd is analyzed very effectively and in great detail. The possible explanation and reasons Strozier gives for the couples' broken engagement and long separation-as well as what drew them to one another and kept them together-makes more sense to me than anything I have ever read yet. And I have more books on Abraham and Mary Lincoln than I can count.I wish everyone who is truly interested in why Abraham Lincoln was who he was would pick up this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very enjoyableBy mattozExcellent; enjoyable book. Focuses mostly on psychology; but has lots of references if you want more historical detail.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The 16th American President on the therapist's couchBy The Straw ManThis book is a wonder insight into the psyche of Abraham Lincoln. This book focuses on the history of Lincoln; not so much the history of his political terms as president; rather the history behind the morals and personality of the man himself. Charles Strozier does a wonderful job in piecing together the facts and fables in order to tell the tale of Lincoln. There are so many folk tales on Lincoln that it can be hard to figure out what really happened and what didn't. There are myriad sources used in order to give this book the depth needed to paint a lush illustration of such an interesting person.Abraham Lincoln is easily connected to the American Civil War. However in this book; not much of the war is really mentioned. Nor are detailed aspects of his political policies. The book traces the lifeline of Lincoln as child all the way to his death. Many psychological depictions are utilized in understanding the soul; mind; emotion and motivation behind the spirit of Abe Lincoln. I found it very interesting and satisfying to have such a blend of history and psychology; which is a wonderful way to do a case study on a person.
