Divergent Memories: Opinion Leaders and the Asia-Pacific War (Studies of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center)

No nation is free from the charge that it has a less-than-complete view of the past. History is not simply about recording past events—it is often contested, negotiated, and reshaped over time. Debate over the history of World War II in Asia remains surprisingly intense, and __Divergent Memories__ examines the opinions of powerful individuals to pinpoint the sources of conflict: from Japanese colonialism in Korea and atrocities in China to the American decision to use atomic weapons against Japan. Rather than labeling others' views as "distorted" or ignoring dissenting voices to create a monolithic historical account, Gi-Wook Shin and Daniel Sneider pursue a more fruitful approach: analyzing how historical memory has developed, been formulated, and even been challenged in each country. By identifying key factors responsible for these differences, __Divergent Memories__ provides the tools for readers to both approach their own national histories with reflection and to be more understanding of others. Disputes over the history of World War II in Asia remain surprisingly intense. Divergent Memories examines the opinions of powerful individuals to pinpoint the sources of conflict, from Japanese colonialism in Korea and atrocities in China to the American decision to use atomic weapons against Japan. Without labeling any views as "distorted" or ignoring dissenting voices, Gi-Wook Shin and Daniel Sneider analyze how historical memory has developed, been formulated, and even been challenged in each case. --Couverture