An Economist Book of the YearA Financial Times Book of the Year“A book that has long cried out to be written.†— Observer (UK); Books of the YearIn 1937; two years before Hitler invaded Poland; Chinese troops clashed with Japanese occupiers in the first battle of World War II. Joining with the United States; the Soviet Union; and Great Britain; China became the fourth great ally in a devastating struggle for its very survival. Prizewinning historian Rana Mitter unfurls China’s drama of invasion; resistance; slaughter; and political intrigue as never before. Based on groundbreaking research; this gripping narrative focuses on a handful of unforgettable characters; including Chiang Kai-shek; Mao Zedong; and Chiang’s American chief of staff; “Vinegar Joe†Stilwell. Mitter also recounts the sacrifice and resilience of everyday Chinese people through the horrors of bombings; famines; and the infamous Rape of Nanking. More than any other twentieth-century event; World War II was crucial in shaping China’s worldview; making Forgotten Ally both a definitive work of history and an indispensable guide to today’s China and its relationship with the West.“In the manner of David McCullough; [Mitter] creates a complex history that is urgently alive.†— Kirkus Reviews
#5288119 in Books KTAV Publishing House 2006-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .67 x 5.98l; 1.32 #File Name: 0521851688294 pages
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