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Baron Edward Frederick Langley Russell Russell of LiverpoolBaron Edward…
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The Knights of Bushido: A History of Japanese War Crimes During World War II Paperback – August 17, 2008
by Edward Frederick Langley Russell (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (520)
3.9 on Goodreads
498 ratings
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.
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Print length
384 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A stark reminder of the dangers of appeasement and pacifism in the face of a fanatical and nondemocratic enemy.”
About the Author
Edward Frederick Langley Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool, was a three-time winner of the Military Cross in World War I. He served as Deputy Judge Advocate General for the British army of the Rhine and was a chief legal adviser for Britain during the war crimes trials following World War II. He also wrote The Scourge of the Swastika about the war crimes of the Nazis. He died in 1981.
Product details
Publisher : Skyhorse
Publication date : August 17, 2008
Language : English
Print length : 384 pages
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From the United States
J. Bair
5.0 out of 5 stars Documents Well the Horrors of Japanese Occupation in WWII and the Policy Behind It
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2017
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There are other books documenting Japanese atrocities such as Daws’ Prisoners of the Japanese and Weller’s First to Nagasaki, yet none have as many testimonies as The Knights of Bushido. The book focuses mainly on British and Dutch prisoners including colonials from India, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, etc. Still, there are numerous descriptions of events in the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and Japan.
What Lord Russell details is stunning. From the time that Japan began fighting in China in 1931 until Japan surrendered in 1945, the pattern changed little. Civilian populations were raped and killed, often deliberately massacred to instill fear or to demonstrate Japanese racial superiority. Prisoners, whether military or civilian, were often summarily executed or retained for slave labor. They rarely had access to any medical care and were always inadequately fed and (as they say today) hydrated.
The Knights of Bushido includes photographs, much testimony, and selections from many incriminating Japanese documents. Lord Russell is not being sensational. Every detail is carefully documented. I understand now why so many sources on the Pacific War refer to this book. The reader realizes, too, upon completing the book that the information contained in it just scratches the surface. Everywhere Japan conquered from the Russian border to the Nicobar Islands, from Melanesia to the home islands, their treatment of the local population and prisoners (including civilians) was cruel and ruthless.
Russell devotes a chapter to the war crimes trials. There was enough documentation still in existence to show that extermination was a protocol and mistreatment of civilian populations and prisoners was policy.
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Leevje
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the almost total depravity of the Japanese armed forces during WWII
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
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Excellent primer on the atrocities the Japanese armed forces committed during World War II, with reviews of the pre-war & war terror the Japanese inflicted on China & it's people, including "The Rape of Nan King" in particular, where it is estimated between 250,000-300,000 men, women and children were murdered by the Japanese conquerors while the military leaders turned a blind eye & often sadistically encouraged the accompanying horrors of torture, mutilation and rape. The book is fairly explicit in it's description of the depravity of the Japanese military from the top on down, which included regular episodes of cannibalism, not done out of necessity, but done to celebrate victory. The beginning of the book contains a fairly brief but concise chronology of the gradual military take-over of the country & finally, of the emperor himself. I had never learned the story of how Japan came to be the despicable imperial power it was before & during WWII, so it was very enlightening for me to discover the parallels between Japan & Germany, specifically in how the people of both countries were propagandized and coerced into obedience & even devotion to their national "cause". In the case of Germany, it was the cause of the Arian "Master Race". In the case of Japan, it was also the cause of the master race (Japanese & the ancient code of Bushido) that would "liberate" and ultimately control all of Asia. Much of the writing contains quotes straight from court trial documents, providing a large measure of objectivity to the corresponding analyses. Younger generations are being told that America paralleled the imperial nature of Japan, and our young are being fed much misinformation regarding many historical facts surrounding the war in the Pacific. This book brings out the truth of the barbarity of the Japanese and the blind obedience of the citizens who partook of that barbarity & hatred of non-Japanese. Contrast that with America (and of course others), who had mercy upon the Japanese people & helped put that country back on it's feet after the war! There is no comparison with America, even when considering the re-location camps here in the states. This book helps to dispel the myth that the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima & Nagasaki were cruel and unnecessary. The book reminds the reader through the stating of many statistics, just how extensive the depravity of the Japanese was - from Nan King to Australia. It also describes the devious nature of the Japanese politicians & military in taking advantage of the European War theater & in manipulating events in their quest to control all of Asia. The book in no way claims to be an exhaustive source on any of the subjects it covers. It contains numerous references to more in-depth reading for those interested in knowing more about a particular area. The last section of the book is devoted to short bios & overviews of court proceedings & verdicts given to the major war criminals tried by the British-led tribunal. Several popular war-crimes defense strategies are also discussed, along with reasons why they were not accepted as valid by the tribunal. I would give the book 5 stars except that there are some instances where readers might get confused as to whether they are encountering the author's comments, or court testimony or some other quote - it is not always clearly noted (it could be a problem only in the kindle version - I don't have the hardcopy version). All in all, this was a very good book, and I will continue using it for reference to other reading materials.
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S. Carr
5.0 out of 5 stars Crimes Against Humanity
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2013
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"The Knights of the Bushido, A History of Japanese War Crimes During World War II" is not an easy read, as mentioned by other reviewers. It is not an easy read for two main reasons. One is that Lord Russell, like many British authors it seems, fills the book with names, facts, figures, dates, events, geographical areas, etc. (This is not a bad thing, since history is full of facts, figures, dates and events). And the second reason that the book is not an easy read is due to the horrific brutality of the Japanese armed forces during the second World War. The photo on the cover of the book speaks volumes. It shows Sikh prisoners being used as live targets in Singapore, by the Japanese army.
The last chapter of the book is titled "Retribution". It lists 25 major Japanese war criminals and their crimes against humanity. It also gives the verdict of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East and the Tribunal's sentence concerning each major war criminal. Of the 25 major war criminals, 16 were sentenced to life imprisonment, seven to death, and two to sentences from 7-20 years. Further research indicates that most of these Japanese war criminals were released from prison due to "ill health" after only a few years. Then miraculously they lived long lives after release from prison; most lived until close to the age of ninety.
Sugamo Prison, where the Japanese war criminals were confined, was turned over to the Japanese government at the end of the American occupation of Japan. Japan closed Sugamo Prison in 1971 and pardoned or paroled the inmates.
Of note, as bad as the Nazis were during WWII, an estimated 4% of non-Russian allies died in German POW camps, while 27% of captured allies died in Japanese POW camps.
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. "The Knights of the Bushido" should be read and studied long after the Greatest Generation has passed on.
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johnn
3.0 out of 5 stars Not "Bridge on the River Quai"
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2012
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The Japanese internment camp in "Bridge on the River Quai" was a luxurious resort compared to the camps described in this book. Which version of Japanese captivity are we to believe. Neverthe less I found the book to be interesting. First hand accounts tend to be believable but one-sided.
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RescueMedics
5.0 out of 5 stars The Knights of Bushido
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2025
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My second copy. If you have any doubt as to the capacity for brutality and evil in men, this will erase any illusion you may have as to the true nature of men.
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S. Schulz
4.0 out of 5 stars Broad overview
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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The books a bit older but still worthwhile to learn about the Japanese war crimes.
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LM
5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese War Crimes
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2025
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Amazing how man’s humanity is forgotten during war. Horrific, tragic, shameful, shocking… how historical ideology when used improperly to benefit others over their own becomes sanctioned massacre!
The photos and illustrations are images that you will not forget. You are left wondering as you look at these images of how and why; just because these people were the “undesirable” in the minds of the military.
Unforgettable. Lessons that we as humans must learn from and never forget.
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
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Wow I learned so much that I didn't know from this book and didn't realize the naps were so brutal
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Sonny
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
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thought I knew of the atrocious the Japanese did durning the war, but this book told much more than any other books I've read before. It's really hard to put down. I rate it as the best book on this subject ever written.
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Anne McCormack
4.0 out of 5 stars Glad to see it Reprinted
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013
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Since the war ended and the generation which suffered through it has diminished I hear an awful lot of how dropping "The Bomb" on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was such an inhuman act. I used to tell those people to read about the war in some detail before they make such statements. This book does that, it tells of the most terrible treatment of Australian, American and British soldiers who were captured and also of the women and children who were slaughtered simply because the Japanese army didn't know what to do with them. Even though the world has changed and new generations feel differently we must never forget the horror that once ruled over all our lives and we must always remember that it is possible to have again Man's inhumanity to man.
35 people found this helpful
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james
5.0 out of 5 stars Knights of Bushido
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2025
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Awesome informative, reading.
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Brian B
4.0 out of 5 stars Hope you have a steady stomach
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
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great read on a topic much overlooked during WW2.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars An Encyclopedia of Horrors
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2012
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Even at this distance in time from WWII, reading Lord Russell's in depth study of the scope of Japanese War Crimes leaves one numbed and ultimately in wonder at whether or not the pepetrators of such barbarity were adequately punished for their crimes. While this history documents the fate of numerous top leaders of Japanese aggression (many were executed), the fates of the actual Japanese soldiers responsible for wielding the Samurai swords, delivering the beatings, withholding food & medicine, dousing the prisoners with gasoline and lighting the fires, and pulling the triggers aren't mentioned. One can only hope these disgusting creatures received the summary justice they truly deserved from the liberators of the POW camps.
7 people found this helpful
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Hatch
4.0 out of 5 stars Educational
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2012
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The author paints a very good picture of how the allies were treated as POWs during WW II by the Japanese. But he is not so graphic as to cause you to put down the book. His reference list is incredible; I wonder how long it took him to collect his information. There are many translated japanese documents in his writings. My favorite part of the book is at the end, he has a listing of the major War Criminals in the Japanese army and their sentences.
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James Padgett
5.0 out of 5 stars while leaders like Putin condone or turn a blind eye while the ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
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This is a very in depth look at the crimes committed by the Japanese forces against allied prisoners of war, both military and civilian. Japan was a country gone mad and some its soldiers turned into beast, believing that they were the chosen race and all others inferior. It was a short jump from inferior to worthless. Many of those who participated in those crimes escaped justice completely and went to their graves still believing the insanity. It continues, alive as ever, with the likes of Assad and ISIS, while leaders like Putin condone or turn a blind eye while the innocent suffer.
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William J. Millico
4.0 out of 5 stars The side of war we seldom hear about or see.
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2008
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The treatment of the men and women in uniform, allied forces from a variety of nations by the Japanese, proves that there are evil forces in the world and diplomacy does not always work.
I recommend those with a strong stomach read this book and truly understand the sacrifices that were made by so many to insure our freedom.
It is so very sad that so many had to die under these circumstances and their lives meant to little to a nation at war.
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NashMule
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2016
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A tour de force in documentation and mind-set of the atrocities committed by the Japanese leadership in WWII. As a layman, I knew about some of the point in time tragedies, but never internalized how systematic and culturally based the de-humanization and mistreat was. This book, in addition to making the scale of the suffering real, also spends a considerable amount of effort in explaining (if such things can be explained) the thinking and culture that justified the torture and killings. Shortly after reading Knights of Bushido, I read The Twilight Warriors by Robert Gandt, and felt I had a much better understanding of how thousands of Japanese airmen could voluntarily become kamikazes.
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Animator
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent recap of Japanese aggression in WW II
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2016
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The descriptions of the actions of the Japanese against prisoners of war and civilians were disturbingly descriptive to say the least. So descriptive to a point where I had to literally look away to reset myself in order to be able to try to continue reading this fine book. That is not to say the intention of this book was to shock and awe, it quite simply provides the raw detail that is necessary in order to describe the horrors which were committed. This is not for the feint of heart and although I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this book it will leave a permanent mark on your soul.
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Sea and Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars the results are terrible, both for the POW's and for the soldiers ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
My father, recently departed at 91, spent 3-1/2 years as an unwilling guest of the Imperial Japanese forces after being taken on the island fortress of Corregidor in the Philippines. This is history that should not be forgotten -- not to punish but to prevent a reoccurrence. When a culture considers it's enemies to be less than human, the results are terrible, both for the POW's and for the soldiers themselves. The U.S. had it's moments as well -- but the internment camps were never as bad as the Bataan Death March, the Hellships, or Cabanatuan and the other forced labor POW camps. Forgive -- but never Forget.
8 people found this helpful
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Philip Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars Tales of brutality
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2016
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This book chronicles in detail atrocities committed against prisoners of the Japanese during WWII. Treatment of POW's and non-Japanese civilians was appalling. The author cites sources from post-war trial transcripts and the testimony of eye witnesses. I have to admit the accounts are horrifying, so much so I could not finish reading the book. Recommended to anyone interested in the Pacific war.
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Irwin W. Fisk
4.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory Reading for Every High School Student in the U.S.
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2016
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This book should be mandatory reading for every high school student in the United States, lest we forget the savage treatment allied POWs suffered at the hands of the Japanese. Only 4% of allied prisoners of war died in German POW camps, but 27% of allied prisoners died in Japanese POW camps. We can forgive, but we should never forget.
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Ffrances Crew
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2020
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A very interesting and historical story, I kept on wanting to keep on reading. The historical value of the information that is in this book should be studied in History Classes so something like this will not happen again.
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Forced Convection
5.0 out of 5 stars Japan's Forbidden History
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2013
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This is the history of the Japanese that the Japanese don't want the Japanese to know about. The atrocities cataloged in this book are a grim reminder as to why Japan should never again have a military. If the first-hand accounts and testimonies in this book were to be made into a movie, the justifications for torture and the methods employed in Zero Dark Thirty would comparatively look like a child's tea party. Read this book to always remember the evil that came in the form of Japanese imperialists.
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Brian Bardelli
4.0 out of 5 stars A very quick history of the brutality of the Japanese military machine in WWII
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Russell does a superb job of presenting the facts of certain attrocities committed by the Japanese military during WWII. This is an enjoyable book and a quick read. Even though he points to the lack of repetition within his book, Russell seems to have skipped over a substantial amount of circumstances that would have lent further credibility to his findings.
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David L. Mullen
5.0 out of 5 stars Tells what the Japanese actually did to people in World War ll.
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2023
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The book contains information on the atrocities committed by the Japanese in World War ll, we should never forget what was committed.
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Maury T
5.0 out of 5 stars A gruesome book
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020
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The Japanese were guilty of terrible and inhumane atrocities against American POWs in World War II. It is not fun to read about them but I think we should not forget how these young Americans were mistreated. I cannot say that reading this book was fun, but it is something that we should be aware of.
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Byravan Viswanathan
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading account.
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013
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Everyone knows the Holocaust in Europe. This well researched account by no less an author as Lord Russell tells in graphic detail how barbarous the Japanese soldiers were and some of the horrors they visited upon their victims was worse than the Nazis. A must read for those who study the old subject of man's inhumanity to man.
14 people found this helpful
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Macman
4.0 out of 5 stars Tough Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2018
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This was at times a tough read. The sheer cruelty and viciousness of the Japanese toward so many was unbelievable. My only criticism would be that it seemed like some things were rehashed in order to make the book longer.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2016
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Excellent review of some of the war crimes of the Japanese during WWII. Perhaps a bit of an agenda against the Japanese is had in this book and it is one sides against the atrocities the allies may have committed but it is still very very informative.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Cultural cruelty at its most terrible of time and circumstances
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2019
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Amazing what has been buried in the past about our Japanese "friends." How anyone could still support this nation, even buy their cars decades later is inexplicable to me. Perhaps it is the smiles as they cut off people's heads that stands out as worse than the Nazi's behavior, if that is possible.
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