A Plague upon Humanity: The Hidden History of Japan's Biological Warfare Program

I went ahead that got this book because, as a historian of China in particular and Asia in general, I wanted a good overview of the activities and history of Unit 731. I knew the basic facts already, but I hoped to have a solid book of history, replete with facts, describing the hows and whys for the unit's existence and activities.This book, however, was a real disappointment, for a few reasons. First, the author doesn't really have a command of the subject matter about which he's writing. He has no background in history, instead having a degree in cognitive psychology. The lack of that background is especially telling in a quick glance through the endnotes. Instead of specific sources for specific facts, he uses individual notes to cover sentences in which multiple facts are stated. And to add to this problem, it seems that the author isn't proficient in Japanese. His sources are all English, and often secondary sources. The fact that he uses secondary sources so heavily is surprising, given that he states multiple times near the beginning of the book that the public is unaware of Japanese bioweapons because they have been covered up.Add to these problems the fact that the book doesn't have a thesis that I can make out, except perhaps, "Japan's crimes against humanity are bad." How brave. Presumably he can't make out much more than that because of his lack of proficiency in Japanese.In addition to these issues, there's just sloppiness throughout the book. For example, referring to dissections of live human beings when he means vivisections. And then, in the last chapter, "What The Deal Bought," he strongly suggests that the US used biological weapons in the Korean war, though he admits that "U.S. historians" deny it. Given that the academy is hardly a hotbed of pro-American sentiment, one would think that if there were good evidence for the charge, it would have been found by groups other than far-left organizations.Generally, the book has some decent value as a primer. If all you want is a basic introduction to Unit 731, skimming this book is worthwhile. Otherwise, Factories of Death is a much more scholarly book with more evidence behind it, and Unit 731 Testimony is more direct. If you're only going to read one book on the topic, read those instead.

I purchased this book as a research source for my master's in military history, and it has been one of my favorite books. It is an incredibly detailed account of Japan's biological warfare program during WWII. The subject matter is graphic, but this is an excellently researched and interesting book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in WWII history, and especially that of Imperial Japan's war in China.

I am studying disaster preparedness and emergency managment, this book offered an insight into peoples minds and how they operate in the biological and cheical weapons world, there motivation and the results from there work. The scientists in this book went right to the source to find the real answers to there science endeavors.

very interesting with tons of facts that 90% of the world don't know thanks to Japan and the US covering it up for Bio info that would be used against the cold war bad guys if needed. But accidents happens!!

This book is excellent history of Japanese atrocities. It is well written and easy to read. Well researched. Some surprising events, little known history. Recommend to serious students of Pacific war.

Arrived in great condition.

A Plague Upon Humanity is extremely well-written andand it fills in a gap in the literature on the subjectof Japanese wartime atrocities and US complicity inits cover-up.The review by "Harkius" below contains falsestatements that need to be challenged.First, contrary to Harkius' statement, this bookdefinitely uses a number of primary sources, andquite valuable and dramatic ones at that. They areclearly listed in the endnotes and sometimes in thebody of the chapter texts as well.Harkius writes that the book errs in calling theagent of typus by the name Eberthella typhosa. Infact, this was the common name used for the bacteriain the time period examined in the book, the yearsof Imperial Japanese germ warfare and Unit 731, soit is perfectly acceptable to use the term. It isprecisely the same bacteria that would later go by thename Salmonella typhi.The book's narrative of the unfolding history isquite clear, easy to read and chronological. I hadno problem following the details of the story andcannot comprehend why he would characterize its styleas "schizophrenic".Exactly the opposite is true.Harkius completely misquotes the author by sayingthat he writes that a girl's vivisection by Japaneseinvaders was "the exact act of a devil." AuthorBarenblatt did NOT say that, rather that is a quotefrom the testimony of a Chinese woman from thegirl's village and it is presented in the book asthe account of a Chinese survivor and an eyewitness.And it is perfectly appropriate for her to describethe horrific medical atrocity this way. Once again,Harkius has it completely wrong. The actual quote ofthe woman, Wang Lijun, is: "an 18-year-old girl,named Wu Xiaonai, was disssected alive, and had herinternal organs taken out while she was still alive,which was exactly a devil's act. Zhang Julian whosaw that bloodcurdling scene was frightened andbarely escaped with her life ..."As for the book he recommends, "Alibekov'sBiohazard", I am quite familiar with it and it hasonly a brief, error-filled mentionof Japan's germ warfare and human experiments, andit completely omits the U.S. secret recruitment ofJapan's criminal doctors after the war. This is notsurprising since co-author Alibek (who also uses thename "Alibekov") himselfunapologetically worked in the US biowar program andso cannot be trusted to give an unbiased, truthfulaccount.I would say that if you are interested in thissubject, you will find it quite difficult if notimpossible to find any work aside from Barenblatt's APlague Upon Humanity that is as readable and that is basedupon as much up-to-date independent research as his.

Really interesting book and no one knows this part of the history of Japan, it seems. They were as bad as the Nazi's and in fact, borrowed some of their wicked experiments to use on the Chinese. It is extremely graphic so if torture makes you squirm pass this one by. Otherwise, have at it. It's very detailed and very informative.

Description says it's 304 pages, decent for its price. I ordered this book only to find out there are 260 pages. Don't make this book over 20 dollars if it's not worth it's price!

=o)