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The Life of John Birch
The biography of a young American who was brutally murdered by the Chinese Communists in 1945, ten days after then end of World War II. John Birch has been called the first casualty of World War III. "With his death and in his death the battle lines were drawn, in a struggle from which either communism or Christian-style civilization must emerge with one completely triumphant, the other completely destroyed."
135 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published June 1, 1960
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About the author
Robert W. Welch Jr.
5 books6 followersAmerican businessman, political activist, and author.
Gifted as a child he enrolled in high school at the age of 10 & was admitted to university at the age of 12. He later enrolled & dropped out of Harvard Law School & the Naval Academy.
He later started his own Candy company that went out of business in the Great Depression of 1925.
In 1958 he cofounded the John Birch society. In 1960 he starting shifting from anti-communism to opposition to what he considered the Illuminati.
He converted to Catholicism a few months before his death.
Gifted as a child he enrolled in high school at the age of 10 & was admitted to university at the age of 12. He later enrolled & dropped out of Harvard Law School & the Naval Academy.
He later started his own Candy company that went out of business in the Great Depression of 1925.
In 1958 he cofounded the John Birch society. In 1960 he starting shifting from anti-communism to opposition to what he considered the Illuminati.
He converted to Catholicism a few months before his death.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 6, 2015
If you’ve ever wondered why the John Birch Society is named after some guy you’ve never heard of, this is the book that explains it. On the other hand, you could simply check his Wikipedia page and find out just as much, without having to sit through Welch’s prose. This book was distributed by the boatload during the Society’s heyday, during the fifties and sixties, when it represented a kind of “opposing counter-culture” to the counter-culture of hippies and the Left. It was designed to speak to “ordinary” Americans, who were concerned about the direction their country was taking and still believed the Gospel of Saint Joe McCarthy.
The story it tells is a simple hagiography of another Saint, in this case an American missionary and military officer who was stationed in China during the Japanese occupation, and who was ultimately executed by the Communist forces there. His execution is held up as “the first casualty of World War Three” (a war which, in the JBS’s view, continues raging today). Thus he is a martyr, who has no voice to speak one way or another about the way his image is used by those who have taken it as part of their identity. His childhood is described as sickeningly wholesome and he lives a life of near-perfection in a foreign land, up to the date when America’s ostensible allies against the Japanese betray him and all of our trust. There then proceeds a lengthy diatribe about Communism (you were expecting it, weren’t you?) and arguments about what Americans should be doing in Birch’s memory.
In the end, this is fairly similar to the hagiographies one can find of Leftist saints like Rosa Luxembourg or Sacco and Vanzetti, and the organization it inspires is simply the mirror image of what it claims to oppose as well.
The story it tells is a simple hagiography of another Saint, in this case an American missionary and military officer who was stationed in China during the Japanese occupation, and who was ultimately executed by the Communist forces there. His execution is held up as “the first casualty of World War Three” (a war which, in the JBS’s view, continues raging today). Thus he is a martyr, who has no voice to speak one way or another about the way his image is used by those who have taken it as part of their identity. His childhood is described as sickeningly wholesome and he lives a life of near-perfection in a foreign land, up to the date when America’s ostensible allies against the Japanese betray him and all of our trust. There then proceeds a lengthy diatribe about Communism (you were expecting it, weren’t you?) and arguments about what Americans should be doing in Birch’s memory.
In the end, this is fairly similar to the hagiographies one can find of Leftist saints like Rosa Luxembourg or Sacco and Vanzetti, and the organization it inspires is simply the mirror image of what it claims to oppose as well.
March 9, 2009
The murder of Captain John Birch in 1945 by Communists in China was covered up by members of our state department. This book brings U.S. Army Captain John Morrison Birch to life and uncovers the hidden story of his murder and the cover-up for Americans outside of those who had a top secret security clearance. Robert Welch's great ability to research the truth and publish changed our knowledge forever about those who aided the Communists and those who died as a result.
Robert Welch, the author, after writing this book in 1954, paid the late Captain Birch the compliament of naming The John Birch Society after the fallen hero from World War II.
Robert Welch, the author, after writing this book in 1954, paid the late Captain Birch the compliament of naming The John Birch Society after the fallen hero from World War II.
August 25, 2017
Oh my god my sides. This started out as a fairly standard hagiography of a man with an admittedly very interesting life, and then took an ABRUPT left turn into Crazytown as Welch started accusing seemingly everyone in government but Joe McCarthy of being a communist or communist dupe. If you want to find out what the rightward fringe was like in the 1950s, have an afternoon to kill, and know where the liquor cabinet is, this is an immensely entertaining read.
July 11, 2024
THE LIFE STORY OF THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY WHO INSPIRED AN INFLUENTIAL ORGANIZATION
Robert Welch (1899-1985) founded the John Birch Society (JBS) in honor of John Morrison Birch (1918-1945), who was an American military intelligence officer and a Baptist missionary in World War II who was shot by armed supporters of the Communist Party of China; the JBS considers him the "first victim of the Cold War."
This 1954 biography was reprinted in 1961 by the JBS as #15 in its "Americanist Library" (which were out-of-print books they had reprinted in inexpensive editions).
Welch wrote in his original Foreword, "I was reading the dry typewritten pages in an unpublished report of an almost forgotten congressional committee hearing. Suddenly I was brought up sharp by a quotation of some words an army captain had spoken on the day of his death eight years before... I had to learn all I could of their course and circumstances. This small book is the result of my search."
Birch was originally a missionary to China and later (during WWII) became a chaplain, and was eventually assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a United States intelligence agency. He said, "I believe that this war and the ensuing federations will set the world stage, as never before, for the rise of anti-Christ!" (Pg. 35) Welch dryly observed at one point, "To those of us whose religion is less fundamentalist in nature, it might seem that John gave too little credit to himself and too much to a Holy Spirit." (Pg. 40) For Welch, Birch was "the first clear-cut case I know about of the preaching fighter." (Pg. 41)
He also observes that Birch (raised in the southeast) grew up with an anti-Catholic prejudice, but developed an "attitude of tolerance, friendship, and cooperation" with Catholics and Catholic priests during his service (pg. 100).
Welch comments on the lack of publicity about Birch's death at the hands of the Chinese Communists, saying, "That there was deliberate suppression of the news there can be no doubt." (Pg. 64)
Welch gives exposition to his own ideas and interpretations for the rest of this 127-page book, but overall it is a fitting tribute to a dedicated young man (whose parents later joined the JBS).
Robert Welch (1899-1985) founded the John Birch Society (JBS) in honor of John Morrison Birch (1918-1945), who was an American military intelligence officer and a Baptist missionary in World War II who was shot by armed supporters of the Communist Party of China; the JBS considers him the "first victim of the Cold War."
This 1954 biography was reprinted in 1961 by the JBS as #15 in its "Americanist Library" (which were out-of-print books they had reprinted in inexpensive editions).
Welch wrote in his original Foreword, "I was reading the dry typewritten pages in an unpublished report of an almost forgotten congressional committee hearing. Suddenly I was brought up sharp by a quotation of some words an army captain had spoken on the day of his death eight years before... I had to learn all I could of their course and circumstances. This small book is the result of my search."
Birch was originally a missionary to China and later (during WWII) became a chaplain, and was eventually assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a United States intelligence agency. He said, "I believe that this war and the ensuing federations will set the world stage, as never before, for the rise of anti-Christ!" (Pg. 35) Welch dryly observed at one point, "To those of us whose religion is less fundamentalist in nature, it might seem that John gave too little credit to himself and too much to a Holy Spirit." (Pg. 40) For Welch, Birch was "the first clear-cut case I know about of the preaching fighter." (Pg. 41)
He also observes that Birch (raised in the southeast) grew up with an anti-Catholic prejudice, but developed an "attitude of tolerance, friendship, and cooperation" with Catholics and Catholic priests during his service (pg. 100).
Welch comments on the lack of publicity about Birch's death at the hands of the Chinese Communists, saying, "That there was deliberate suppression of the news there can be no doubt." (Pg. 64)
Welch gives exposition to his own ideas and interpretations for the rest of this 127-page book, but overall it is a fitting tribute to a dedicated young man (whose parents later joined the JBS).
January 23, 2021
A beautiful Christian man, working to help the destitute, betrayed by the Communists, murdered, by the selfish greedy Communists that control America.
August 12, 2016
The biography of John Morrison Birch is a condensed easy read of his 27 years of life. Birch was born in India on May 28, 1918 to American Baptist missionary parents with historical ancestry roots within the United States. Raised in America he was driven to follow the path of his parents and following his education at 22 years old he headed to China in the summer of 1940 for mission work. He quickly acquired full command of the Chinese dialect along with proper accents.
In April 1942 following the historic bombing raid on Japan, Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle’s aircraft made an emergency landing in China. Local Chinese found Doolittle and shortly thereafter Birch became the first American to be in contact with Doolittle and he personally guided the heroic aviator to safety and away from the Japanese in China. Due to Birch’s language skills and contacts in China his talents were sought for military use. On the 4th of July 1942 Birch became a U.S. Army 2nd lieutenant aligned with the 14th Air Force based out of Kunming, China to serve as an intelligence officer primarily located behind enemy lines assisting the “Flying Tigers” and others. Additionally he enjoyed offering his services as a chaplain to all. Birch rose in rank to captain and due to his successful exploits he was highly regarded by the Americans serving in China as well as the National Chinese and South Koreans. WWII ended on August 15, 1945 in China (8/14/45 in America). Burch was then deployed on an official assignment wearing his uniform. Ten days later on August 25th Captain Birch was murdered by Chinese Communist forces. General Claire Lee Chennault, commander of the American Volunteer Group, Republic of China Air Force and the American 14th Air Force considered Birch as a son.
The latter part of the book drifts from true biography form and delves into political issues. Published in 1954 a concern for America’s national debt and bankruptcy is mentioned along with the United Nations, Communism, Socialism, and briefly touches upon the famous society linked to his name.
In April 1942 following the historic bombing raid on Japan, Colonel James “Jimmy” Doolittle’s aircraft made an emergency landing in China. Local Chinese found Doolittle and shortly thereafter Birch became the first American to be in contact with Doolittle and he personally guided the heroic aviator to safety and away from the Japanese in China. Due to Birch’s language skills and contacts in China his talents were sought for military use. On the 4th of July 1942 Birch became a U.S. Army 2nd lieutenant aligned with the 14th Air Force based out of Kunming, China to serve as an intelligence officer primarily located behind enemy lines assisting the “Flying Tigers” and others. Additionally he enjoyed offering his services as a chaplain to all. Birch rose in rank to captain and due to his successful exploits he was highly regarded by the Americans serving in China as well as the National Chinese and South Koreans. WWII ended on August 15, 1945 in China (8/14/45 in America). Burch was then deployed on an official assignment wearing his uniform. Ten days later on August 25th Captain Birch was murdered by Chinese Communist forces. General Claire Lee Chennault, commander of the American Volunteer Group, Republic of China Air Force and the American 14th Air Force considered Birch as a son.
The latter part of the book drifts from true biography form and delves into political issues. Published in 1954 a concern for America’s national debt and bankruptcy is mentioned along with the United Nations, Communism, Socialism, and briefly touches upon the famous society linked to his name.
May 20, 2011
Many people hear the name John Birch and don't realize there was actually a man with that name. He was a man who died doing what he believed in. He died trying to help the Chinese be free of communism. I'm young enough I didn't even realize there was a war in China over the concept. Somewhere back in history around the same time as the Chinese battle against communism, Russia was a monarchy, but I never felt that either piece of information applied to me or my life. History was something I endured in school without really absorbing the fact that real people lived and died for freedom. Here is a biography of one of those people. I hope that more people will read his story. Although he died fighting for what he believed in, his willingness to die for a cause so many of us take for granted can give the rest of us the courage to stand for truth and freedom in the world today.
March 10, 2009
The story of an amazingly good man (John Birch) and a U.S. cover-up of the origins of one histories bloodiest tyrants (Mao Tse-tung).
December 8, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK, JOHN BIRCH WAS A MISSIONARY WHO TRIED TO SAVE CHINA BUT BECAME THE VICTIM HIMSELF. HE WAS INVOLVED AS A RIGHT WING ACTIVIST IN THE TEA PARTY AND HIS INFLUENCE IS STILL SEEN TODAY.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews