Reviews (200)

Biased
I read Flags of Our Fathers and enjoyed it more than Flyboys.Bradley has a writing style that is difficult at times as has personal biases come through very clearly.As one other reviewer has written, I found it very odd that he often referred to MG Curtis LeMay as "Curtis."As someone writing about military history, Bradley should have more respect for the uniform and should not call a two star general by his first name like he is talking about one of his golfing buddies.This was very distracting.I also found the first couple of chapters of his history lesson very tedious and unfocused - so much so that I nearly quit reading the book.The latter chapters pick up the pace and are insightful.Bradley also devotes too much time attempting to demonize the American firebombing tactics.Thankfully Bradley's bias and negativity toward the Navy and Army is not as pronounced in Flyboys as in FOOF.This bias is especially odd considering his father was a Navy Corpsman.

Desire to moralize reaches too far
I assume that the author is attempting to show that war creates an environment in which morally degenerate acts become much more likely, if not all but inevitable, on all sides of the conflict.In doing so, however, the author very frequently stretches the blanket of history too far, as when he suggests that the Japanese would have remained forever content to be isolated on their home islands if the American fleet had not paid an uninvited visit to Tokyo Bay in 1853-54 and taught the Japanese the foreign policy advantages of a strong navy.While most historians would agree that the U.S. Navy's visit served the royal court with a wake-up call regarding the existence of a world beyond Japan, that is not the same thing as assuming that without this visit no other internal or external events over the next 70 years would have spurred the Japanese to look beyond their shores and trade an isolationist philosophy for an imperial one.
Fascinating!
I found this to be a fascinating account of the war in the Pacific, and I was impressed with the fact that the author imparts a deep appreciation for America and the sacrifices our soldiers made but can still step back and look objectively at the mistakes on both sides.Does examining our own faults release the other side from responsibility for their crimes, as some other reviewers seem to feel?I don't believe so; I think it's healthy for us to examine our history so we don't make the same mistakes again.It's too bad that some people lump any critique of our own actions into the "pop-revisionist history" category.
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Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Chichi Island    6. History - Military / War    7. Japan    8. Military    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military - United States    11. Military - World War II    12. Military History - World War II    13. Prisoners Of War    14. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    15. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (56)

I wanted to like it I really did
The first three chapters have nothing to do with the overall concept, its just some crazy manifest dynasty that's been rehashed time and time again.
Insightful and fair work
Behind the scenes of the hellish fights on Iwo Jima in 1945, another bloodshed was taking place just nearby. The American Air Force planned to fly B-29 strategic bombers from Iwo Jima to Japan, but it faced another peril, Chichi Jima. The island served as critical radar station to detect any enemy aerial activities for the Japanese and held even greater forces than infamous Iwo Jima. This book is a story about the fate of nine Chichi Jima raiders who were shot down, captured, slaughtered, and erased from the history until re-discovered recently.
Flyboys
I had a difficult time with this book. Having ready "Flags of Our Fathers", I had hopes this would be as well written and informitive. However, from early on this book came across as just another piece of "pagan liberal propoganda". The ethnic cleansing of American Indians by the United States was an early warmup of typical pagan propoganda and it headed downhill from there.
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Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Chichi Island    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Japan    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. Prisoners Of War    12. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    13. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    14. World War II - East Asia    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (1)

One of the best WWII books I've read
I picked this book up on a whim and was unable to put it down. James Bradley's book is graphic at times, but enlightening. I found myself extremely curious as to what happened to members of my own family who fought in the Pacific. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Chichi Island    7. History - Military / War    8. Japan    9. Military    10. Military - Aviation    11. Military - United States    12. Military - World War II    13. Prisoners Of War    14. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    15. World War II - East Asia    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (7)

Moving
This is a story of ultimate forgiveness told firsthand by Ernest Gordon.The things he and his fellow prisoners of war experienced are near incomprehensible....and out of such despair comes the forever life-changing love they experience through Christ, Who is the example they start to follow in showing similar self-sacrificing love and kindness to their neighbors - even to their enemies.
Not your typical POW story
While Earnest Gordon's story contains enough description of the atrocities inflicted on him and his fellow POW's by the hands of the Japanese in Southeast Asia during WW2, this does not read like your typical POW story. By typical, I mean a blow-by-blow account (literally at times) of the grueling, horrific experience of Allied soldiers during the war. Though there are passages of such description that aptly set the stage for the story, this book is more about the way in which Gordon and his fellow prisoners of war created the Kingdom of God in the hell of mankind.
fantastic story
Ernest Gordon's first-hand account of being a POW in WWII.Gordon, a Scottish soldier and later Presbyterian minister and Chaplain of Princeton University, was captured by a Japanese warship and placed on the crew that built the bridge over the river Kwai.The account is well written and interesting from a historical perspective, but also engaging from a spiritual one as Gordon tells about his own transformation while imprisoned, as well as that of his fellow prisoners.If you are interested in history and biography told through the eyes of faith, then this makes an excellent read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Burma-Siam Railroad    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Gordon, Ernest    6. Japan    7. Military    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Personal narratives, British    10. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    11. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    12. Prisoners of war    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Christian Interest    15. English    16. Inspiration / Motivation / Biography & Autobiography    17. Religion / Christian Life    18. Transportation / Railroads / History    19. True stories: Second World War    20. WORLD WAR, 1939-1945_PERSONAL NARRATIVES, BRITISH    21. WORLD WAR, 1939-1945_PRISONERS AND PRISONS, JAPANESE    22. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (15)

Elegant as silk, sharp as a scalpel
Kenji Yoshino's book manages a difficult feat: it is simultaneously elegant and hard-hitting. Yoshino, a professor at Yale Law School, blends memoir and legal history as he charts the changing attitude of American society toward homosexuality. Formerly, gays were treated as if they had a deadly disease--if they were not willing to change, forcible means such as lobotomy and electroshock therapy were at hand to "convert" them. Next, they were left alone as long as they were willing to hide their sexuality. The riots of Stonewall and the AIDS plague were watersheds in changing this attitude, as gay men and women demanded to be recognized as such AND treated as human beings.
Insightful and much needed
Yoshino is one of the brightest stars in civil rights discussion. I found his book insightful and even necessary for any real progress to be made for civil rights for all people.

What a career!
I found the personal coming out to his parents story very moving; it brought tears to my eyes.I also loved the epilogue and the story of the blue star.But, in between, what a lot of navel-gazing and counting of angels on the head of a pin.I'm a lawyer, but I admit I got lost in all the differentiations and attempts to focus the covering/reverse-covering analysis on each type of discrimination.Then, halfway-through, I learn he was only in law school in the 1990s.I've been practicing longer than that and he's the Harvard professor!(I realize that's a comment on me.)This guy has really carved out a self-referential niche for himself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asians In The U.S.    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - Asian American Studies    7. Gay lawyers    8. Gay rights    9. General    10. Japanese American lawyers    11. Lawyers & Judges    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Political    14. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    15. Practice Of Law    16. United States    17. Current Events / General   

Reviews (21)

must read book
A fantastic book showing God's faithfulness to us.Very, very interesting and I think everyone should read.It is also a must for any church library.

Faith Tested to the Utmost Survives
Darlene's story could be included in the New Testament book of Hebrews, where the heroes of faith and their deeds are listed. It impacted me as much as reading "The Hiding Place" and "God's Smuggler". What kept her sane in captivity and isolation was the Scripture and hymns which articulated her faith. God showed her that He was there.

Brought tears to my eyes
Darlene suffered terribly in the prisoner of war camp, but her faith remained strong throughout. God answered her prayers in wonderful ways. Fed only rice or gruel while in solitary confinement, one day she prayed for a banana, a single banana. She considered all the ways God could answer her prayer and deliver that banana. Through the guard? No... The night watchman? No... As she began to doubt that God could grant her that request, she was delivered an armload of bananas - 92 of them! - from the most unlikely source.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Celebes    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Indonesia    6. Military    7. Personal narratives, American    8. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    9. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    10. Prisoners of war    11. Religion    12. Religious    13. Rose, Darlene Deibler    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Biography: general    16. Papua New Guinea    17. Religion / Christian Life    18. Second World War, 1939-1945    19. True stories: Second World War    20. War crimes   

Reviews (10)

A2007NEWBERY winner?*Dear Miss Breed* has my vote!
Can we stand firm for JUSTICE in wartime?HOW CAN WE NOT??
Why don't we learn about this?
I was assigned the topic of Japanese Americans and the internment camps for my final paper.First of all, I think this book accounts for my great grade. The book is full of information and photographs. Ms. Oppenheim also makes the story of what happened so clear.I am ashamed that my country did such a thing to their own citizens.It's scary really.It's also weird that not that many people my age even know about it.This should be taught more.

Dear Miss Breed
In many ways, "Dear Miss Breed" may be the best way to share the JA WW II experience with middle and high school students as the letters leave a personal touch to the story; yet there are plenty of accurate historical references about WW II events that affected the JA community.Even if you have read every book about life in Camps for JAs, Miss Breed's story just may move up the list and become your favorite book on this topic...everyone should read "Dear Miss Breed." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    2. Children's 9-12 - History - Military / War    3. Children's Books/Young Adult People & Places    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    6. History - United States/20th Century    7. Japanese Americans    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Military - World War II    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. Personal narratives, American    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Juvenile Fiction / Biographical / United States   

Reviews (14)

Life of a Japanese American during Relocation
I found this book intriguing. Uchida vividly explains her childhood as a Japanese American and illustrates the need to conform, like any other young child. As she ages, she realizes that her heritage can never be erased, and she is soon penalized for this, a thing she cannot help.
Not so invisible any more, thank goodness
In addition to her writings about the Japanese and Japanese-American culture, Yoshiko Uchida wrote several fiction books that drew from her experiences as a Japanese American during World War II. The Invisible Thread, written for young adults, is an autobiography that tells of her life before, during her family's internment in a camp in Utah.
Amazingly Addicting!
I'm only 12, so if you do not wish to read my review, I understand. However, I still wish to express my feelings of this book. I, normally, am not the type of person who reads autobiograpies or biographies, so I wasn't very excited when I discovered we would be starting a unit on them in school. However, the further I read in this book, the less "dull" it seemed. Though I didn't find the beginning very interesting, I quite enjoyed he book as I read on. I soon felt what I think the author did at that time. I was ashamed to discover what the United States Government did to the poor Japanese-Americans. I found that this book was hard to put down, even at 1:00 A.M. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Literary    5. Biography & Autobiography - People of Color    6. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    7. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    8. Japanese Americans    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. Social life and customs    13. Uchida, Yoshiko   

Reviews (161)

WWII Japanese-American INTERNMENT through the eyes of a child.
2000+ American Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines (MILITARY PERSONNEL) died during the Japanese Air Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, and as a direct result, President Roosevelt issued Presidential Executive Order 9066, forcing 110,000+ Japanese-Americans into 10 Military Internment Camps (Concentration Camps -- complete with Armed Soldiers, Machine Guns, Barbed Wire Fences, Spotlights, and Guard Towers).Each person subject to EO-9066 could only take what they could carry with their own two hands (and nothing more), leaving eveything else behind.Oh yes, the Federal Government also froze ALL BANK ACCOUNTS of Japanese-Americans through to the end of the war, so they could not get any cash out of the bank nor pay any bills.As a direct result, Japanese-Americans lost her homes due to nonpayment of Property Taxes.In Jeanne's Dad's case, someone stole their fishing boat while they were incarcerated.Her dad was a fisherman, and the boat had been the primary means of support for their family.
Japanese Americans Internment Camps-WWII
This story delves into the culture of the Japanese and applies it to their life in the Manzanar interment camps during World War II. An insightful must-read.

YUCK!
No offense to the author or anything but this book was really boring!!! It just doesn't seem to stick with one situation. Jeanne's family leaves there home, goes to Manzanar, then kicked out of Manzanar, etc. It was just really boring and I was going to be put to sleep, this book couldn't keep my attention on it for long. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - General    2. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    7. History - Military & Wars    8. History - United States/20th Century    9. Japanese Americans    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. People & Places - United States - Asian American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Asian American   

Reviews (4)

Deeply moving
I read this book when it was first published about ten years ago and the moving experience has remained with me since I finished the final sentence. It is an incredibly vivid book that you will not be able to put down.
Exceptional true story of survival and ulitmate forgiveness
An unforgettable story of endurance, cruelty and forgiveness. This is a story that stays with the reader, even years later. This is a true story of Mr. Lomax's experience during WWII. He was captured and tortured and almost died. At one time the only thing that kept him alive was practically throwing himself down a flight of stairs so he was transferred to hospital from the dreaded prison. After the War, Mr. Lomax, like many other Veterans was unable to lead a normal life with emotions. Having experienced dreadful torture at the hands of the Japanese he learnt to cut himself off from his feelings, in order to survive. All his life he never forgot the interrupter that was present during his torture, he dreamed of revenge someday. In a miraculous turn of events he mets up with this man, whom it turns out was unable to forget being part of the torture of Mr. Lomax, and it had haunted him all his life. The two men agree to meet, and the most remarkable thing happens they become friends, forgiveness and understanding occurs. This is one of the best books I have read about the POW experience during WWII, it is tragic, and yet has rewarding and true ending.

A Special Book
This is a book that will move you.Eric Lomax is a man of depth, intelligence and keen perception.His writing is vivid, his story one that you can't put down.I strongly urge anyone interested in what the POW experience is like, and anyone interested in a powerful story, to buy and read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Conscript labor    4. Military    5. Military - World War II    6. Military History - World War II    7. Military Personal Narratives    8. Personal narratives, Scottish    9. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Lomax, Eric   

Reviews (7)

A reminder of how fulfilling life can be
This book encouraged me to give my life completely to God.I saw what He can do with one life!It also reminded me that our battle is not against flesh and blood.There are some stories in this book that will give you chills because they show how God works in the most incredible ways!Enjoy!

An amazing story
Somehow, in our time, the adjective 'unique' has come to be misused and heavily overused.Properly it means hardly more than "only" or "the only one (of of its kind)."There is nothing like this story and surely nobody like Gladys Aylward.
God Working through a Humble Faithful Person
This book is in my opinion the best one of the biographies of Gladys Aylward.I've read the others, but they were seen through another author and seemed more like adventure stories.This autobiography, however, puts you in Gladys' shoes so you can see and feel her prayerful reliance on God.You'll see God work through this humble parlourmaid, calling her to China and her obedience through the most harrowing circumstances.Gladys did what God told her to do and trusted in God to provide the means, even when it did not seem obvious and the hardships were many.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Missions & Missionary Work    4. Religion    5. Religious    6. Women    7. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    8. Biography: general    9. Christian mission & evangelism    10. Aylward, Gladys    11. Missionaries    12. China    13. Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1937-1945    14. Christianity   

Reviews (16)

japanese= devil race
Japan has committed some of the world's worst atrocities in history (nanking massacre, unit 731, batton death march, comfort women, pearl harbor, ect..) and they still refuse to apologize, compensate, or make an accurate history in there textbooks. Why is Japan so cowardly and instead try to make their amends to their victims of the horrible crimes against humanity. No wonder people call Japan a "devil" race.

Putting things into perspective
In response to the reviewer below, I must say that it isn't true that 99.9% of the Japanese do not know about the "rape of Nanjing," or that Japan has not apologized at all. We do know it and it's in our history textbooks as well, granted that we are not taught that part of history as much in detail as those in China or Korea. The Japanese government has also apologized on numerous occasions, the question of their sincerity aside. Partly abetted by the nationalist trend that is currently on the rise in Japan, a handful of historians are attempting to rewrite the history; however, it is absolutely wrong that the whole nation is completely ignorant of the matter. Any attempt to appeal to sensationalism or fervent patriotism just adds fuel to the fire.
Japanese does not apologize at all!
I have to tell you that I am Korean and as people know we hate Japanese! Japan still state that the Japanese have not killed any Korean and Chinese and 99.99% of the population does not know anything about the horrible torture they did on Korea and China! Also, the Japanese states that Dokdo is their land when it has been owned by Korea for more than 6 centuries! So stop pretending to be apologizing Japan! You guys did that 5 times already! We won't get fooled agaiN! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Atrocities    3. China    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. International    8. Military - Other    9. Nanjing (Jiangsu Sheng)    10. Nanjing (Jiangsu Sheng, China)    11. Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1937-1    12. Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1937-1945    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history    14. Biography: general    15. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    16. War & defence operations   

Reviews (7)

Some amazing parts
Some of the descriptions of survival & evasion in the jungle were incredible. The first half of the book had my interest more & then I think it tailed off in the second half. Worth reading.
A very good book
The Malaysia theater of WWII has often been neglected, especially after the capitulation of the commonwealth at Singapore.This book was written by one the the operatives the Brits sent in to hassle the Japanese forces behind their lines.It is an interesting story that leads to many adventures and insite into a complex number of peoples fighting the Japanese.

Unbelievable but true
There are so many interesting pieces of information in this book that they make the read worth it. The literary quality is not high but the text does not get in the way of the contents. It begins with day-by-day accounts ofguerilla warfare in the jungle but the at the end gives more of an overviewof events. Read and be baffled by a man that lived through disease anddangers beyond your imagination. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Military    5. Military - World War I    6. Military - World War II    7. History / Military / World War I   

Reviews (7)

Dijon du Jour
With her usual wit and style, MFK Fisher brings the food and atmosphere of Dijon alive.It is a fun book, perfect as an introduction to a way of life that is both foreign and dated.The delights of the table set by an eccentric landlady and shared with a variety of characters from the building, are extravegant.Fisher also draws a picture of the town's restaurants, markets, and life.
Enjoyable, tantalizing
This is an enjoyable, tantalizing book, with some dull spots in the earlier chapters.It is an account of Fisher's 3 years in Dijon, where she movedin 1929 so that her new husband could pursue a doctorate.She was 20 years old, bright, pretty, charming, in love,and most of all, enthusiastic.The reader gets caught up in all this, so as to overlook the book's serious drawback.Fisher can write very nicely, but you learn much more about her landladies than her husband.Fisher says of her sister Norah, "she TOO speaks always with reserve" (caps mine).The book is written as if you are already acquainted with Fisher, as no doubt many readers are, but for the rest I would recommend, before starting the book, that they look up M.F.K. Fisher in Google and thereby get to the site about Fisher sponsored by Les Dames d'Escoffier International.

Excellent Memoir and Writing, but not her best
`Long Ago in France' by premier American food writer M.F.K. Fisher was one of her last autobiographical memoirs of life in France. She may not have invented the `American in Europe' memoir exemplified by Peter Mayle's `My Year in Provence' and Frances Mayes `Under the Tuscan Sun', but she certainly helped define the genre with this work as well as `Map of Another Town', `A Considerable Town', and parts of many of her other autobiographical works such as `The Gastronomical Me'.
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Subjects:  1. (Mary Frances Kennedy),    2. 1908-    3. 1908-1992    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Customs & Traditions    7. Dijon (France)    8. Fisher, M. F. K    9. Fisher, M. F. K.    10. Food writers    11. Literary    12. Social Science    13. Social life and customs    14. Sociology    15. Travelers    16. United States    17. Women    18. Gardening / Japanese Gardens    19. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

The story of deeply religious young men whose beliefs led them to reject military service.
Raleigh E. 'Dusty' Rhodes helped develop the Blue Angels, the world's most famous military aerobatic team - and was only the third fighter pilot to become its leader. Interviews, Dusty's scrapbooks and flight logs form the foundations of a survey which is part biography, part aviation history, and always interesting: fans of military history and aviation will find it a top pick. Mark Matthews' SMOKE JUMPING ON THE WESTERN FIRE LINE: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS DURING WORLD WAR IIoffers a fascinating and rare probe into a little-researched aspect of World War II history: the story of deeply religious young men whose beliefs led them to reject military service. Instead, some of them were paid a minimum wage to volunteer for the Civilian Public Service as U.S. Forest Service smoke jumpers based in Montana: this is their story, and uses extensive interviews with World War II conscientious objectors and original documents to recreate their stories.
Truly inspiring
I am distantly related to Dusty Rhodes, which is why I bought the book.However, it's not the reason I couldn't put it down - it's just an amazing story, and very well-told.I expected a dry explanation of war battles and air flights.This book is anything but dry.It is touching, funny, heart-warming and truly inspiring.It's very readable, even for someone who would normally never pick up a "war book".Dusty's story is one of courage, hope, determination, a love for his country, and a love of life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Japan    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - World War II    10. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    11. Prisoners of war    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century/WWII    14. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (3)

rest in peace
Just a brief update:According to an Associated Press story dated May 12, 2006, the author died on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the age of 89, apparently after a heart attack.In light of the present controversy surrounding the treatment of prisoners in Iraq, Cuba and elsewhere by the U.S., understanding some of the history of how wartime prisoners have been treated in the past is of particular relevance today. From Fukuoko to Abu Graib...

Highly Recommended
I came upon this book by accident when my Father wrote a summary of it for The Proceedings.From the second I opened the cover to the very end, I could not put it down.This story of survival was as touching as it was inspiring; an example of true courage.

1,355 Days a Japanese Prisoner
Most of us remember December 7th, 1941 as Pearl Harbor Day. To Terence Kirk, it is more memorable as the day that he (and 202 other China Marines) were captured by the Japanese. They were to remain prisoners for 1,355 days, the entire length of time the U.S. was at war with Japan.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. History    4. Military    5. Military - United States    6. Military - World War II    7. Personal narratives, American    8. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    9. Prisoners of war    10. United States    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. Biography: historical    13. Europe    14. European history: Second World War    15. History / Military / World War II    16. Japan   

Reviews (7)

Brings back old memories
Although I have never met the author, I did know her brother Yonichi. I also know his 4 daughters.This book brought back memories of my time in the relocation camp in Minidoka, ID.

Wow! What a story, what a book!
For sixty years, Mary Matsuda Gruenewald chose not to talk about her experiences in the Japanese-American internment camps during the Second World War. Forced into those camps as a confused, na?ve seventeen-year-old, she was unable to comprehend her situation, and until the early twenty-first century was not prepared to explore this region of her personal - and her country's - history. When in her seventies, her children grown, her parents and brother gone, she finally admitted to herself the importance of stepping beyond "the self-imposed barbed-wire fences" (p. x) and telling her story.
Looking Like the Enemy:My Story of Imprisonment in Japanese American Internment Camps
I sometimes have a difficult time getting past the first few pages of a new book but this story captured me from the start.This book gave a personal insight to the hardships and fears the Matsuda family and other families endured before and during the internment.I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1925-    2. Asians In The U.S.    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Evacuation and relocation, 194    7. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    8. General    9. Gruenewald, Mary Matsuda,    10. History - General History    11. History - U.S.    12. Japanese Americans    13. Military - World War II    14. Personal Memoirs    15. United States - 20th Century    16. World War II   

Reviews (6)

Not for the casual reader
Invaluable document for those studying Ancient Japanese culture, not of much use or enjoyment for the casual reader. The extensive and numerous visual appendages offer a great tool to deciphering thecryptic tone of Lady Murasaki's descriptions, which took for granted the readers full understanding of the way things were in court life at the time. The editor/translator takes great pains to explain the many challenges to be overcome in order to produce this tome; it is painfully evident in the reading itself. Only approximately five pages (a section which differs widely in every aspect from the rest of the work) offer the delightful candor of introspection that these exceptional women had to offer. The rest is often somewhat of a chore to read. The comparison between the translation of a passage referring to Sei Shonagon in this work and a starkly different version quoted, and perhaps also translated, by Ivan Morris in his introduction to 'The Pillow Book', reveal that perhaps Mr. Bowring's translational skills are not entirely up to par. Whatever the case, this edition remains a highly important reference work for those looking to expand their knowledge of court life in Ancient Japan, although I wouldn't mind having someone else try their hand at this work.

A must read for Asian history buff