The Good Man of Nanking

The Good Man of Nanking collects the wartime diaries of John Rabe, a German businessman stationed in China during the Nanjing Massacre of 1937-1938. The text captures Rabe's firsthand account of events as they occurred, documenting his observations and experiences in the city during this period. Rabe's writing focuses on daily life in Nanjing and his role in establishing a safety zone for Chinese civilians during the Japanese occupation. His position as a German national and businessman provided him with a distinct vantage point to witness and record the unfolding crisis. The book includes both Rabe's wartime diaries and his later experiences in post-war Berlin under Soviet occupation. The translation from German to English by John E. Woods maintains the immediacy and clarity of the original text. These diaries serve as a crucial historical document, raising questions about moral responsibility and human nature in times of conflict. The text stands as both a personal testimony and an important contribution to the historical record of World War II in Asia.

Readers value this diary's firsthand account of the Nanking Massacre from a unique perspective. Many note the complexity of Rabe's character - a Nazi Party member who saved thousands of Chinese civilians. Positive reviews highlight: - Detailed documentation of daily events - Raw, unfiltered observations - Original photographs and documents - Clear translation from German Common criticisms: - Repetitive diary entries - Dry administrative details - Limited broader historical context - Some passages feel overly sanitized Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (486 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) Several readers mention the book's importance in documenting war crimes, though some find Rabe's Nazi membership difficult to reconcile. One Amazon reviewer notes: "The duality of human nature is on full display." Goodreads reviewers frequently comment on the book's authenticity, with one stating: "The immediacy of his writing puts you right there in 1937 Nanking."

Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang This historical account documents the same Nanking Massacre from multiple perspectives, including survivor testimonies and historical records.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank A first-hand account written by a civilian who witnessed atrocities during World War II while attempting to help others survive.

City of Life and Death by Lu Chuan This narrative chronicles the experiences of Chinese civilians, Japanese soldiers, and foreign witnesses during the Nanking occupation through interconnected stories.

Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze by Peter Harmsen The book presents eyewitness accounts and military records of the Battle of Shanghai, which preceded and led to the events in Nanking.

The Last Train from Hiroshima by Charles R. Pellegrino The text compiles testimonies from survivors, witnesses, and military personnel who experienced the atomic bombing of Japan during World War II.

🔷 John Rabe, despite being a member of the Nazi Party, saved approximately 200,000 Chinese civilians during the Nanjing Massacre, earning him the nickname "The Schindler of China" 🔷 The original diaries were discovered in 1996 by Rabe's granddaughter Ursula Reinhardt, who found them in an old leather trunk in the family's Berlin home 🔷 The book includes Rabe's documentation of 583 specific cases of Japanese war crimes during the Nanjing Massacre, making it one of the most detailed firsthand accounts of the atrocity 🔷 After returning to Germany in 1938, Rabe attempted to inform Hitler about Japanese atrocities through letters and presentations, but was detained by the Gestapo and ordered to remain silent 🔷 After WWII, when Rabe and his family faced starvation in Berlin, the citizens of Nanjing learned of his plight and raised money to send him food and supplies for several months