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91 reviews for:
Japan's Infamous Unit 731: Firsthand Accounts of Japan's Wartime Human Experimentation Program
Hal Gold
3.73 AVERAGE
91 reviews for:
Japan's Infamous Unit 731: Firsthand Accounts of Japan's Wartime Human Experimentation Program
Hal Gold
3.73 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
A much needed and well presented, documentation, of historical events that is not talked abut enough!! Remembering the events of history, and in turn remembering the sacrifices of victims is essential to ensure it isn't repeated. Remembering the sufferings of victims is, in my opinion, the first (and necessary) step in honoring them. As such, it was interesting to learn about the atrocities committed by people, and to read first hand accounts of how people can be influenced/brainwashed/indoctrinated to forego their humanity for "the greater good".
Unlike other events of the world war, we did not (and can never) get to know about these incidents from the mouth of the victims themselves (something that I would have really liked to learn about). However, considering the efforts that multiple governments collectively made in the name of politics to erase these incidents from history (something that can be assumed from the information in this book, and something that is somewhat proven true by the lack of discussion around this when the atrocities of WWII are brought up), it is impressive how there is an increased interest from the current generation (and hopefully for the generations to come) to bring to light the crimes of the leaders of the past. Never should this be forgotten if we wish to prevent a recurrence of anything even remotely similar.
As a scientist myself, I was disgusted by what people were capable of, convincing themselves that it was necessary for "scientific progress" when it was nothing more than "personal, sadistic curiosity" stemming from their feeling of superiority.
Unlike other events of the world war, we did not (and can never) get to know about these incidents from the mouth of the victims themselves (something that I would have really liked to learn about). However, considering the efforts that multiple governments collectively made in the name of politics to erase these incidents from history (something that can be assumed from the information in this book, and something that is somewhat proven true by the lack of discussion around this when the atrocities of WWII are brought up), it is impressive how there is an increased interest from the current generation (and hopefully for the generations to come) to bring to light the crimes of the leaders of the past. Never should this be forgotten if we wish to prevent a recurrence of anything even remotely similar.
As a scientist myself, I was disgusted by what people were capable of, convincing themselves that it was necessary for "scientific progress" when it was nothing more than "personal, sadistic curiosity" stemming from their feeling of superiority.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Very educational but read very textbook-y so at times hard to follow if you’re not up to date with terms, places, etc.
Personal testimonies always the most moving.
It’s insane to think that this was all occurring/ending around the time I was born and that 30ish years later I’m just learning about the atrocities. If these sort of war acts were performed in Asia, Europe, etc… does that mean they’ve happened everywhere throughout time? I think yes, makes me lose a little faith in humanity.
‘There is nothing more stupid and fearful than war.’
‘The build up of a big invading army has been forgotten. The present situation in Japan is cause for concern, some people see a similarity with the 1930’s. Are we now in a post war era or a pre war era? This is a strange atmosphere, and we are in the midst of a strange education.’
Dangers of feeling like ‘the superior race’ and what genocide does to a culture
Personal testimonies always the most moving.
It’s insane to think that this was all occurring/ending around the time I was born and that 30ish years later I’m just learning about the atrocities. If these sort of war acts were performed in Asia, Europe, etc… does that mean they’ve happened everywhere throughout time? I think yes, makes me lose a little faith in humanity.
‘There is nothing more stupid and fearful than war.’
‘The build up of a big invading army has been forgotten. The present situation in Japan is cause for concern, some people see a similarity with the 1930’s. Are we now in a post war era or a pre war era? This is a strange atmosphere, and we are in the midst of a strange education.’
Dangers of feeling like ‘the superior race’ and what genocide does to a culture
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Ugh. Brief and filled with first hand accoutns along with generalized timeline and history of the unit.
It's mich saying that given (access to) todays atrocities in the world (wide web) books like this don't phase me as much as they should have. A book about a terrible part in a terrible time, that's for certain, unfortunately the writing itself is quiet dull and incohesive.
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
Incredible and thorough history of Japan’s biochemical weapons testing and torture performed on thousands of Chinese prisoners.
Archival research, first-hand accounts, and interviews from surviving Japanese soldiers who took part in the war crimes.
Archival research, first-hand accounts, and interviews from surviving Japanese soldiers who took part in the war crimes.
- difficult book to get through bc of some graphic/heavy topics and scenes
- but also an important read so that history isn’t forgotten
- not a huge fan of history so some parts went over my head oops
- but also an important read so that history isn’t forgotten
- not a huge fan of history so some parts went over my head oops