The Knights of Bushido

A History of Japanese War Crimes During World War II

By: Lord Russell of Liverpool

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The war crimes trials at Nuremberg and Tokyo meted out the Allies' official justice; Lord Russell of Liverpool's sensational bestselling books on the Axis' war crimes decided the public's opinion. The Knights of Bushido, Russell's shocking account of Japanese brutality in the Pacific in World War II, describes how the noble founding principles of the Empire of Japan were perverted by the military into a systematic campaign of torture, murder, starvation, rape, and destruction. Notorious incidents like the Nanking Massacre and the Bataan Death March emerge as merely part of a pattern of human rights abuses. Undoubtedly formidable soldiers, the Japanese were terrible conquerors. Their conduct in the Pacific is a harrowing example of the doctrine of mutual destruction carried to the extreme, and begs the question of what is acceptable—and unacceptable—in total war.

©2008 Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Well presented.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I learned quite a lot about the conduct of the Japanese during the war that I had not been aware of.

A great book

A great book that has a wonderful source of information on the history of Japan.

Very Difficult at Times to Read On...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Knights of Bushido to be better than the print version?

I enjoy audible with a good pair of headphones much more reading a book. Yes it was better for sure.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Really not applicable as there were many. I would have to give the narrator the credit for best performance.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not. I will purchase future books if they are of interest if Mr. Vance is the narrator!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No as I stated at times because of the truth of what really happened in the camps in Japan it was mind boggling how many men were killed and the way they were killed. Truly disgusting is all I can say. I feel more of the persons responsible should have been tried and hung!

Any additional comments?

I would just worn folks this is a very technical account of what really went on in these camps and at times you will get very angry and if you have a lite stomach ill at what you are reading if you think about what transpired. We owe a tremendous amount to the men that sacrificed their lives for out freedom!

The Benighted of Bushido

If you could sum up The Knights of Bushido in three words, what would they be?

Japan's WW2 Crimes

Who was your favorite character and why?

I honor all the more now than before the courage and tenacity of Allied POWs.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Clear, even toned narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would be too difficult. Too heartbreaking.

Any additional comments?

This is an important, dreadful story. Whenever possible, we need to be reminded of Japan's War Crimes and, more importantly, of their intransigence in owning up to these
crimes against humanity.

Harrowing even to listen too.

The atrocities of WWII Germany are well know to me, but I was woefully unaware of the extent of the atrocities committed by the Japanese.

Eye-opening

Very well documented in telling the facts and the stories but not overly gratuitous. A stark reminder for us to never forget the hardships and atrocities suffered by those in wartime & to strive for the best within us.

Murder, Torture, And Rape At Every Turn

If you want to learn more about activities so horrible that the Nazis disapproved, look no further. this book details the terror and brutality inflicted on Allied servicemen/women, the Red Cross, slaves, and the local population. Everybody knows of the holocaust, but this book deeply explores the absolutely terrible things done by "The Knights of Bushido" perpetrated.

Great book! Only one complaint.

I thought this book was excellent! I only have one knock. Countless times through the narration, the first word or two of a new paragraph or section are cut.
I still highly recommend this book to others.

Excellent documentation of Japanese war crimes

Excellent documentation of Japanese war crimes. It is lengthy and can be hard to hear, but important to know such that it is never forgotten.

ABSOLUTE MUST READ

I consider this book a must read!
It is important to read all the reviews written.
I totally agree with most of the reviews.
A personal note:
I am a 85 year old women and was in a Japanese Concentration camp for women and children in mid Java.
I was 4 yrs old and 8 yrs old when freed from the camp by Gurkha forces.
The book is accurate, even for one so young, many instances are engraved on your mind.
In studying history I made it a point to focus on Japan, its history, art, literature and in the past 20 years its religion, Zen Buddhism.
It is difficult to put the war atrocities and the refined culture of the Japanese people, together.
My upcoming trip to Japan is my final point to come to terms with it all.
The narrator is excellent and so is the author.
My thanks to all involved, JK.