Best book on Japan’s Unit 731 and/or harrowing human disasters in general?

Hello all,

I have been recently reading books about human disasters, which hasn’t been easy, but I find it important to read/research these topics.

Recent novels I have read in this genre were (all were phenomenal and well-written):

– *Auschwitz: A Doctor’s Eyewitness Account* by Miklós Nyiszli. A book about a Jewish doctor who was a prisoner at Auschwitz, and worked directly under Josef Mangala.

– *The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood* by David Simon and Ed Burns (not really a “disaster” but was a real account of human suffering and struggle). Adapted into an HBO miniseries, it follows a family, along with others, living in inner city Baltimore dealing with gangs, drugs, and just trying to live. Written by the creators of *The Wire*, but it was a true story.

– Three books about the 1972 Andes disaster including *Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors* by Piers Paul Read, *Miracle in the Andes* by Nando Parrado and Vince Rause, and *Society of the Snow* by Pablo Vierci.

I am about to read *A Slow Death: 83 Days of Radiation Sickness* which follows the brutal death of Hiroshi Ouchi. Being that it occured in Japan, I thought of Unit 731, a notorious facility that accounted for many war crimes in Japan from 1936-1945.

I realize that these subjects are quite serious, but I am very intrigued with this type of history. I know there are a few books that follow this tragic event, so I didn’t know if anybody had suggestions on the best book about Unit 731.

Moreover, If there are any other novels about real human disasters, I would love any suggestions. I know these stories are serious and I truly read them in respect of any victims and/or survivors.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you!

by dancingbriefcase