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

Rana Mitter's captivating narrative sheds light on a long-overlooked aspect of World War II – China's eight-year war of resistance against Japan. This untold story, often overlooked in the West, began two years before Hitler's invasion of Poland and positioned China as a crucial fourth ally alongside the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain. The tale unfolds through the lives of three influential leaders: Chiang Kai-shek, Mao Zedong, and Wang Jingwei. Mitter uses recently opened Chinese archives to vividly depict these figures, as well as significant events like the Rape of Nanking and the bombing of Chongqing. The book highlights the indispensable role the Chinese people played in the broader war effort, offering fresh perspectives on both WWII history and modern China's worldview.