History Painting of World War II: Up and Down

Author: Zhu Shaohua, Zhou Zhengshu (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The World War II paintings depict the earth-shaking battlefields before the 1960s, a heart-stirring memory. This book, in a vivid and illustrative form, objectively and impartially portrays the rise and fall, grandeur, and majesty of the war scenes of that time, allowing readers to witness more directly the ambitions of the world-conquering tyrant Hitler, the atrocities of the tyrannical Mussolini, and the ferocity of the war-mad Tojo Hideki. It also enables readers to appreciate the charm of politicians maneuvering in the political arena, the courage of military strategists facing the vast world, and the indomitable spirit of soldiers. At the same time, it validates the eternal truth that evil cannot prevail over good and inspires reflection on war and peace.
This is a battlefield sealed away for 60 years, holding a heart-stirring memory. Perhaps you have never seen the smoky haze, yet it can pierce through time and space to your eyes; perhaps you have never heard the thunderous explosions, yet they can cross centuries to your soul; perhaps you have never felt the brutality of the battle, yet it can seep into your body and trigger your thoughts. This was World War II, 1939–1945, a war imposed on humanity by fascists, bringing profound suffering. World War II was a great showdown between justice and evil. For the fascist countries of Germany, Italy, and Japan, which launched aggressive wars, it was a plunder of the world and a devastation of humanity; for the anti-fascist countries, it was a struggle for survival and peace. In his speech on February 9, 1946, Stalin pointed out: "The anti-Axis World War II was different from the previous one; it was inherently a war against fascism and a liberation war. One of its tasks was to restore democracy and freedom."
Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. World War II left humanity with profound lessons. To preserve historical memory, we have compiled this series of books to help people think, explore, and seek solutions to a crucial issue in contemporary life—war and peace.
During the writing process, the authors consulted a vast amount of primary sources, refining and distilling them to ensure the works have strong historical value. This series can take you back to the dark and turbulent era, allowing you to witness the ambitions of the world-conquering tyrant Hitler, the face of the tyrannical Mussolini, and the ferocity of the war-mad Tojo Hideki; it can take you back to the passionate years, enabling you to appreciate the charm of politicians maneuvering in the political arena, the courage of military strategists facing the vast world, and the indomitable spirit of soldiers; it can take you back to the battlefield of blood and tears, allowing you to touch the emotions of life and death, experience the tragedy of bodies strewn across the ground, feel the grief of ruined landscapes, and reflect on war and peace.
This series has distinct characteristics of its time. Set against the backdrop of the grandeur of World War II, it examines the changes of the era, depicts the rise and fall of the time, and narrates the joys and sorrows of the past. It evaluates figures with clarity and impartiality, and portrays events with both inevitable trajectories and elements of chance, meeting the contemporary readers' demand for objectivity and fairness. The series adopts a "sketch" style for the panoramic view of World War II, making its origins and developments clear; while for important events and figures, it employs the technique of "fine brushwork," making them vivid and detailed. The content is both engaging and thought-provoking, accompanied by numerous precious images, allowing readers to understand history, gain knowledge, enrich emotions, and enhance their qualities in a visually rich and emotionally resonant way.
This series has a profound military character. The battlefield is the realm where soldiers; soldiers are the rhythm of the battlefield. The authors of this series are all soldiers with over 20 years of military experience, having led troops, participated in live-fire exercises, and even fought in battles. Many have engaged in years of military theoretical research and published numerous works on military themes, giving them a unique advantage in writing war-related works. They can savor World War II with a soldier's sentiment, perceive it with a soldier's perspective, and interpret it with a soldier's thinking. Therefore, their portrayal of characters' psychology and behavior is more accurate, their use of military terminology is more precise, and the war scenes they present to readers are more realistic.
History has repeatedly proven that only a nation with a sense of crisis and a willingness to self-critique can thrive and develop. We love our country, our nation, and our peaceful lives deeply. However, in this world that is far from stable and where war has not yet been eliminated, we cannot afford to ignore history or war. We must learn from the past, remain vigilant against the dangers of war, and, through our relentless efforts, create a peaceful environment for ourselves, our descendants, and humanity as a whole.