Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945

Forgotten Ally examines China's experience during World War II, beginning with Japan's invasion in 1937 through the war's conclusion in 1945. The book follows key figures including Chiang Kai-shek, Mao Zedong, and their complex relationships with Allied leaders Roosevelt and Churchill. The narrative tracks major military campaigns and battles across China's vast territory, while also depicting the toll on Chinese civilians through firsthand accounts and historical records. Through extensive research and documentation, Bernstein reconstructs the political tensions between the Nationalists and Communists as they fought both Japan and each other. The book details China's efforts to gain support and recognition from Western allies, highlighting diplomatic missions and military aid programs that shaped the course of the war in Asia. Bernstein incorporates previously untranslated Chinese sources and eyewitness testimonies to present multiple perspectives on this period. This history illuminates a critical but often overlooked theater of World War II, exploring themes of nationalism, modernization, and the shifting balance of power in East Asia. The work raises important questions about historical memory and recognition in the context of global conflict.

Readers cite the book's detailed coverage of China's role in WWII and its examination of atrocities like the Rape of Nanking. Many note it fills gaps in Western understanding of the Pacific theater beyond just US-Japan conflict. Positives: - Clear explanations of complex political dynamics between Nationalists and Communists - Personal accounts and testimonies that humanize the history - Coverage of lesser-known battles and campaigns Negatives: - Some find the writing dry and academic - A few readers note factual errors in military details - Critics say it focuses too heavily on political leaders vs ordinary citizens Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Made me realize how little I knew about China's WWII experience" Several military history readers praise the strategic analysis but note it's not comprehensive enough for serious scholars. General readers appreciate its accessibility despite complex subject matter.

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China's War with Japan, 1937-1945: The Struggle for Survival by Rana Mitter The book examines the impact of the war on Chinese society and politics through the experiences of Chiang Kai-shek, Mao Zedong, and Wang Jingwei.

🔸 Bernstein's research reveals that China suffered an estimated 15-20 million casualties during WWII, with about 90% being civilians - numbers that dwarf most other nations' losses except the Soviet Union. 🔸 The author served as Time magazine's first Beijing bureau chief and lived in Asia for over a decade, giving him unique insights into Chinese culture and history that enrich the book's narrative. 🔸 The "China Lobby" in America, discussed in the book, successfully pressured the U.S. government to provide over $1.5 billion in aid to China during the war, equivalent to about $26 billion today. 🔸 Despite China's crucial role in tying down millions of Japanese troops, the country was excluded from major Allied strategic planning meetings, including the 1945 Yalta Conference that helped shape the post-war world. 🔸 The book reveals how the Chinese city of Chongqing endured the longest aerial bombing campaign of WWII, lasting from 1938 to 1943, yet this devastating series of attacks remains largely unknown in Western historical accounts.