Hal Gold (–1925)

Horrifying. That’s the only word to describe the contents recorded in this book. I was aware of some of the things described before listening to it, but much of it was new information, and that new information is some of the most disturbing.

One of the most incredible things that Gold captured in writing was the journey the Japanese military and scientific society took from developing a robust body of healthy military practices to maintain health among the ranks in the field, to studying show more that information further by torture and intentional infection of innocents. And make no mistake, innocents made up the vast majority of those who suffered under the ministrations of Japan’s bio weapons research. Not only does the book record a historical tragedy and evil, but the apathy with which members of Unit 731 and sister units infected and experimented on human beings for “science” shines a glaring spotlight on Burns’ “inhumanity to man.” Man’s depravity has few more extreme demonstrations of itself, especially on a large scale, than those recorded in these pages.

This book is not for the faint of heart. I have found myself brought alternatively to sickness and tears throughout. Though wonderfully written, it is a terrible book, but only awful in the sense of its contents. The author deserves the credit for making a truly horrific portion of history clear and all too real. show less

Significance
First-hand accounts by Japanese army Unit 731 members who conducted or were closely involved in human experiments in WWII published by a reputable publisher, Tuttle. These first-hand accounts are from the Unit 731 Exhibition that took place in Japan during 1993 and 1994. Furthermore, many other books that cover this period make evidential reference to this work in order to support their statements.

Artwork/Writing/Narrative/Organization
Very good organization and substantiation as show more follows:
* Historical introduction and overview of Japanese military biological and chemical warfare.
* Several chilling pictures.
* Detailed description about how the US decided not to prosecute Unit 731 members for war crimes.
* List of living, former members and their current occupations.
* The very real and consequently chilling interviews with mostly low-ranking members--everyday people as opposed to leaders from which much history is usually drawn.

Personal Notes
How can we truly know ourselves as human beings if we don't know history? I would also highly recommend Japan at War: An Oral History, which also gives first-hand accounts of common, everyday people--both victims and perpetrators of violence.

How can we comprehend the breadth of our actions--the compassionate and monstrous--without acknowledging our history? When we, as individuals and as a nation, consider going to war, we must understand what we are capable of doing to each other. show less

Horrific

Essential reading on the atrocities of war.