War and Popular Culture: Resistance in Modern China, 1937-1945 [Hardcover]

Chang-tai Hung (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 1994

This is the first comprehensive study of popular culture in twentieth-century China, and of its political impact during the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945 (known in China as "The War of Resistance against Japan"). Chang-tai Hung shows in compelling detail how Chinese resisters used a variety of popular cultural forms--especially dramas, cartoons, and newspapers--to reach out to the rural audience and galvanize support for the war cause. While the Nationalists used popular culture as a patriotic tool, the Communists refashioned it into a socialist propaganda instrument, creating lively symbols of peasant heroes and joyful images of village life under their rule. In the end, Hung argues, the Communists' use of popular culture contributed to their victory in revolution.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chang-tai Hung is Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor of Asian Studies at Carleton College, and the author of Going to the People: Chinese Intellectuals and Folk Literature, 1918-1937 (1985).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 450 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (July 7, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520082362
• ISBN-13: 978-0520082366
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,452,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brutality of Japanese Army During WWII, April 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: War and Popular Culture: Resistance in Modern China, 1937-1945 (Hardcover)

It has been well established that Japanese army committed unspeakable crimes against not only Chinese, but southeastern Asians and Americans (e.g., Battan Death March) during WWII. What's most disturbing is not the historical atrocity, as crual as it was, but the concerted efforts by some Japanese to deny, diminish, or even revise the painful history. This book is another attempt to expose the brutalities committed by the Japanese.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You have to know the real history, April 2, 2004

By 

"x_yang" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War and Popular Culture: Resistance in Modern China, 1937-1945 (Hardcover)

Too many book reviewers are so biased that they even (seem to) forget the fact that it was the Japanese Army who attached China. Do you really think China was a threat to Japan during the 1930's? Do you think it is legal to kill Chinese soldiers or civilians in China so long as you follow some of your rules? The death sentences to those war criminals at the end of WWII clearly demonstrated the illegality of the war waged by Japan in East Asia.

Aside from the propaganda stuff, the winner/loser argument does not stand a chance here. Who started invading China, and who bombed Pearl Harbor? Who occupied many other East Asian countries? If you love your country, fine, but please respect other countries and their peoples, or you yourself will not be respected. Simple as that.

Ms. Himori's reviews are full of biased opinions. Check out the star ratings and you will see her unjust perspective. She basically is setting out to defend the invasion by Japan of China, Karea, Phillipines, etc. Like Japan was doing something great for Asia and the other Asian people just did not understand it. I have no doubt that it was the women like her that joined the ranks of the comfort women during WWII period.

Fortunately there are more kind, impartial people on this planet. And history has shown that time after time again.

I really also worry that the review spaces have become a tool for some biased people to carry out their own agenda.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I cannot agree with the former comments, April 2, 2004

By 

Complex (Sheffield, U.K.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War and Popular Culture: Resistance in Modern China, 1937-1945 (Hardcover)

It is really a disappointing review writen by a Japanese who cannot face the reality. I don't know what mean "alleged atrocities of the Japanese Army". That is a war on the land of China. It is so clear that the Japanese invasion cause the war. Compared with German, Japanese are so silly because they don't want to admit their atrocities and do something to change the views of Asian people.