World War II in Asia is essential context for understanding the political and economic revolution that has created the modern Asian world. Hans Van de Ven has produced a concise, stimulating, and highly readable account of how the war made that transformation possible. Essential reading for understanding Asia's present -- Richard Overy, author of BLOOD AND RUINS Blood Dawn does something essential: it restores the missing map of Asia to the history of World War II. It recognises, fully and soberly, the endurance, sacrifice, and contribution of Asian peoples long written out of the central narrative -- Xinran, author of THE GOOD WOMEN OF CHINA World War II is central to modern global history, and Asia is central to World War II. Yet until now, it has been hard to find a history of Asia's role in the war that combines expert judgement about the region's importance and deep research to underpin the analysis. Hans van de Ven's Blood Dawn breaks new ground with its skilled and lucid prose that brings together understanding of war, anti-imperialism and strategic analysis with research in archives and materials that spans languages and continents. A monumental and essential work -- Rana Mitter, author of CHINA'S GOOD WAR Written with an impressive clarity of thought and prose, this is the history we so badly needed to balance the West's version of the Second World War -- Antony Beevor, author of STALINGRAD This fascinating history will reset how many Western readers understand the second world war in Asia. With skill and verve Hans van de Ven challenges framings of the conflict as a heroic saga ending with the Allied defeat of Japan . . . The lessons could hardly be more timely today, as nationalist movements and leaders reshape a world order that is in tumult once more -- David Rennie World War II was a global conflict, but its history, memory and lessons are still predominantly Eurocentric. Concise and erudite, well written and highly accessible, Blood Dawn offers a necessary corrective and places Asia and its transformation from Empires and colonies to nation states the at the center of the World War II history. A necessary reading for those seeking to understand World War II as a truly global war -- Eugene Finkel, author of TO KILL UKRAINE