Retreat (May 1945-Sept. 1945)
Following the retreat of the Japanese and the retaking of the city of Liuchow by the Chinese, Barney Rosset traveled to Shanghai, where he arrived a day after the signing of the surrender. He is taken aback by the luxury and opulence of his accommodations (which include butler service and the very finest liquors). He remarks in a 12 September 1945 letter to his parents: "Shanghai may not be the nicest place in the world, but until someone can prove otherwise, most of the Americans here will think it is heaven.”