The twentieth century was a century of war, which means it was also a century of tragedy. The full extent of this tragedy, however, is often hidden by the popular narratives of the world wars that continue to be pushed in the West, especially among Americans.

But many aspects of the tragedy are also taught far and wide. When it comes to the Second World War, we Americans hear often and repeatedly of the crimes of the German National Socialists and the Empire of Japan. In contrast, the Americans and their allies, we are told, were the irreproachable good guys, fighting only in defense of themselves and others.