Acclaim for Professor Rana Mitter book on Chinas war with Japan (1937-1945)
Rana Mitters new book Chinas War with Japan, 1937-45: The Struggle for Survival is published this week by Allen Lane. It is the first comprehensive history of the politics, experience, and aftermath of the Sino-Japanese War that became part of World War II, seen from the Chinese side and drawn from a wide range of Chinese materials. It argues for a revisionist view of the Nationalist contribution to the Allied war effort, and that a new model of authoritarian social welfarism emerged from the conflict. It will be published under the title Forgotten Ally in North America in September.
Reviews so far include:
Restor[es] a vital part of the wartime narrative to its rightful place. . . . A remarkable story, told with humanity and intelligence; all historians of the second world war will be in Mitters debt. . . . No one could ask for a better guide. - Richard Overy, Guardian
The best narrative of that long-ago war, whose effects still linger in China today. - Jonathan Mirsky, The Spectator (London)
Illuminating and meticulously researched. . . . It is the voice of the Chinese [. . .] that gives the distinctive tone to Mitters narrative. From the diaries of Chiang Kai-shek to those of national journalists and middle-class Chinese fleeing the conflict, these first-person observations are woven skilfully into his chronicle of the battles and struggles. -The Economist
Shortly, Rana Mitter will talk to Rob Gifford, China editor of The Economist, about the book here:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2013/06/legacy-sino-japanese-war
Fuller reviews and comment are at:
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jun/06/china-war-japan-rana-mitter-review
The Spectator
http://www.spectator.co.uk/books/books-feature/8938411/chinas-war-with-japan-by-rana-mitter-review/
Prospect
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/books-in-brief-july-2013-rana-mitter-china-war-japan/#.UcoEzpdwbIU
Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0a50d49c-d93a-11e2-84fa-00144feab7de.html
You can also read more about Ranas book on our Politics In Spires blog.
