Teaching the Horrors of War with Nanjing, The Burning City

I just finished reading this amazing graphic novel called Nanjing, The Burning City by Ethan Young. Published by Dark Horse, this book explores the little known Nanjing Massacre that happened just before the start of World War II. It is starkly and unflinchingly honest about the horrors of war and visually compelling in a way that reminds me of a black and white version of Pride of Baghdad (without the animals).

The novel starts after the fall of Nanjing. The Japanese had a plan to unite all of Asia under one rule and were trying to take China by force and had bombed out the city. The few surviving civilians struggled to make it to the safe zone, with a small but glimmering hope of being reunited with loved ones.

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​We follow two trapped Chinese soldiers who are trying desperately to navigate their way out of occupied territory and escape to safety (or what they hope will be safety) outside the city. Along the way, they are exposed to the horrors of war with only the words of Confucius to morally guide them. They are forced to confront the worst of themselves and mankind in general as they see what the occupying force is doing to the soldiers and civilians that cross their path.

This is where I would caution anyone who might want to bring this to a classroom. There are graphic depictions of violence, including the implication of women being assaulted. As I said, Young doesn’t pull any punches – and he shouldn’t. There’s a reason they say that war is hell and to sugar coat the reality is dangerous. Those who don’t study history… well, we all know how that goes.

So would I suggest you use this book with your students? Personally, I would absolutely bring it to my college students. As for high school, there are some red flags that you might want to keep in mind. There is one panel with nudity. It isn’t outwardly sexual or exploitative, but it’s there nonetheless. There is also a sequence where male soldiers attack a young woman. We don’t see what happens but we hear it and that may be a trigger for some students.

Ultimately, if you show your classes Schindler’s List or read Maus with them, this book will fit right in as part of a unit about the nature of war and those who suffer during and after these experiences. It has a similar tone and offers no apologies for its tone or content. It’s powerful and authentic and kept me engaged throughout.

Nanjing, The Burning City is an amazing read and should certainly be part of your personal library if not on the shelf in your classroom. The artwork is stunning and the themes are complex yet nuanced. Grab it when you can.

If you like this mini-review, be sure to check out my colleague Eric Kallenborn's web page where he is reviewing 365 graphic novels in 365 days! So amazing!

And as for me, please follow me on twitter @tryingteacher and you will know when this page updates as well as other random info about comics in the classroom!

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