pickAnother book down for 24 in 48!
I enjoyed Mizuki‘s first volume in the Showa series immensely, so I was happy to have an excuse (Read Harder task plus 24in48 Readathon) to pick up the next one. I really like how he juxtaposes his personal experience with a more distanced overview of events. This volume covers the WWII years up to 1944, which ends on an almost literal cliff-hanger.
"Moved by the valor of the defenders, the next day Japanese flyers dropped two wreathes of flowers into the sea to honor combatants on both sides. There was still respect for the enemy in those early days."
This is the culminating volume of Japanese history in manga form by Shigeru Mizuki, one armed master illustrator. World history, Japanese history, interspersed with autobiography in real time as history unfolds. This is a a masterpiece of storytelling and a lesson in how to live.
It's a graphic novel kind of Sunday.
pickMizuki was born in 1922 and served in the Japanese Imperial Army. This book has both a memoir feel but also historical facts/dates of Japan's conquests in Asia. All done in black and white artwork. Highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII or Japanese history or war memoirs. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Black and white artwork that combines a photography style with cartoonish narrator. It's both historical record of the battles of war and first hand account of low level solider. I've only ever been exposed to the US portion of the war and I think this book is so important for perspective
My first manga! And if anyone would like to recommend any other nonfiction graphic novels I would appreciate it! I've already read Persepolis, March by John Lewis and some Lucy Knisley
Showa 1939-1944: A History of Japan | 
