The Jpanese Army's barbaric treatment of its victims have been recorded in a number of fine but inevitably grim accounts but, strangely, teir war crimes at sea have been largely overlooked. As this book reveals, trgically this cannot have been through lack of material. The author, who is establishing himselfas a leading authority on maritime issues with a Far Eastern bias, has unearthed a plethora of outrages against both servicemen and civillians which make chilling and shocking reading. Ironically, while the Japanese Navy followed many of the Royal Navy's traditions and structures, it had a totally different approach to the treatment of its foes. There appears to have been a widespread lack of chivalry or respect for those at their mercy, even when their defeated adversaries had shown outstanding corage and resolve. Atrocities recalled in this superbly researched work range from the cold-blooded torture and execution of POWs, the abondonment of survivors to the elements and certain starvation. The author who lives in the Far East is well placed to examine the different culture that led to these appaling incidents. While inevitably disturbing, Slaughter at Sea is a serious study of a dark chapter in Naval warfare history. AUTHOR: Born in Colchester in 1974, Dr. Mark Felton gained a BA in History and English at Anglia University, Cambridge. He holds an MA and PhD in American History, both at the University of Essex. He currently lives and works in China with his wife and son, where he teaches at Shanghai University. 8 pages of b/w photos
