RIP Iris Chang: Chinese-American journalist and author Iris Chang, whose controversial 1997 book The Rape of Nanking prompted the Japanese to reexamine atrocities by its army during the 1937 invasion of China, was found dead today at age 36 of an apparent suicide. Her book graphically addressed some truly horrific history: "An estimated 20,000-80,000 Chinese women were raped," Chang wrote. "Many soldiers went beyond rape to disembowel women, slice off their breasts, nail them alive to walls. Fathers were forced to rape their daughters and sons their mothers as other family members watched... Not only did live burials, castration, the carving of organs and the roasting of people become routine, but more diabolical tortures were practiced." Chang, who suffered from clinical depression, wrote three major books, including her most recent history, The Chinese in America.

Read an interview with Chang here.