Censoring History: Perspectives on Nationalism and War in the Twentieth Century: Perspectives on Nationalism and War in the Twentieth Century

Considering the great influence textbooks have as interpreters of history, politics, and culture to future generations of citizens, it is no surprise that they generate considerable controversy. Focusing largely on textbook treatment of lingering -- and sometimes -- explosive -- tensions originating in World War II, Censoring History addresses issues of textbook nationalism in historical and comparative perspective. Discussions include Japan's Comfort Women and the Nanjing Massacre; Nazi genocide against the Jews, Gypsies, Catholics, and others; Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Indochina wars. The essays address controversies over textbook content around the globe: How and why do specific representations of war evolve? What are the international and national forces affecting how textbook writers, publishers and state censors depict the past? How do these forces differ from country to country? Other comparative essays analyze nationalist and wax controversies in German, U.S., and Chinese textbook debates.

Aaron Gerow is Associate Professor in the International Student Center at Yokohama National University Laura Hein teaches Japanese history at Northwestern Univesity David Hunt is Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts at Boston Inokuchi Hiromitsu is associate professor of sociology at the University of East Asia, Shimonoseki, Japan Kimijima Kazuhiko is Professor of modern Japanese history at Tokyo Gakugei University James Loewen is Professor of Sociology emeritus at the University of Vermont Kathleen Woods Masalski directs programs for teachers for the Five College Center for East Asian Studies at Smith College Gavan McCormack is Professor of Japanese History in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian national University Nozaki Yoshiko recently accepted a Lecturer appointment in the Department of Educational Leadership and Social Policy Studies, Massey University, New Zealand Mark Selden teaches sociology and history at Binghamton University Yasemin Nuhoglu Soysal is Associate Professor of Sociology at Essex University Gregory Paul Wegner is Professor of Educational Policy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse