Factories of Death

Japanese Biological Warfare, 1932-45 and the American Cover-Up

Author: Sheldon H. Harris

Before and during World War II, the Japanese army conducted horrifying scientific experiments upon live human beings, but were granted immunity from the US Army's war crimes investigation in return for the results of their experiments. This title details the activities and the subsequent cover-up.

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Summary

Description

In Manchuria, before and during World War II, the Japanese army conducted numerous horrifying scientific experiments upon live human beings, including those relating to bacteriological and chemical warfare. After the war, the Japanese scientists who had been engaged in these activities were granted immunity from the US Army's investigation for war crimes in return for the results of their experiments. Factories of Death details the activities of these scientists and the subsequent cover-up. It investigates sensitive topics like who knew of the experiments in the upper echelons of the Japanese military and political establishments, the question of whether or not Allied POWs were subjected to such tests, and the nature of the deal that was brokered with US authorities. Sheldon Harris has based his work on extensive field research in China and previously unavailable records from the US governmental agencies and the KGB. This new edition has been completely updated, and contains an entirely new chapter detailing the numerous revelations that have surfaced since the book's initial publication in 1994.

Critic Reviews

"Factories of Death is about Japan's secret biological and chemical experiments on live human beings and United States complicity in covering up the truth. Sheldon Harris has done us all a service by painstakingly uncovering the facts behind one of mankind's biggest yet least known crimes." -- James Bradley, author, Flags ofOur Fathers
"This book brings sound scholarship and strong moral conviction, tempered by carefully nuanced argument, to bear on a subject of continuing international concern. It deserves a readership far beyond the circle of Second World War specialists." -- The International HistoryReview
"The book's two parts, "Japanese Factories of Death" and American Cover-Up," are meticulously researched with the results presented in an outraged tone." -- MilitaryReview

About the Author

Sheldon H. Harris is Professor Emeritus of History at California State University, Northridge. He began his research on Japanese biological experiments in Manchuria in 1984.

Back Cover

Factories of Death details the activities of the Japanese army scientists that conducted numerous horrifying experiments upon live human beings. It investigates who from the upper echelons of the Japanese military and political establishments knew of the experiments, also the question of whether or not Allied POWs were subjected to such tests, and the nature of the deal that was brokered with US authorities after the war. This new edition has been completely updated, and contains an entirely new chapter detailing the numerous revelations that have surfaced since the book's initial publication in 1994.