[tallhappy]

Sad.

I saw her picture on the cover of World Journal this morning and wasn't sure who it was.

I read her books, except the most recent Chinese in America book. She covered important territory, but got more liberal in her perspective and therefore lost objectivity.

[Mr. Bird]

Sad story. However, I hope the kneejerk inclination to lionize her as an historian can be resisted. I read The Rape of Nanking because I had heard such great reviews. As the work progressed, I definitely felt she had invested a little too much emotion in her writing. It started coming off as if the Chinese (historically) were pure as the driven snow while the Japanese had zero redeeming qualities as a people.

To be sure, researching such a topic can bend your thinking. But, as a rookie to that particular subject, I could have done without her rooting interest.

All this said, Ambrose said she was the "best we have", and I respect his opinion greatly.