Reviews
Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II, by Daniel James Brown
miguelf's review
4.0
Thorough history of the Japanese American war experience both domestically and going into quite a bit of depth on the wartime experiences of younger Japanese who fought in the European theater. There was also the background on one of the few objectors to his treatment, although he was studied less in depth than those who served in combat positions.
bobbo49's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Like most students - ad teachers - of American history, and most West Coast residents, I have known the outlines of the story of the WWII Japanese-American internment camps, and the heroism of the Nisei troops in European combat, for most of my adult life. This intimate retelling, however, provides a level of personal perspective, detail and reflection that is hard for any American who cares about our Constitution and democracy to absorb; for example, I never before realized that in March 1942, 93% of Americans favored the removal of all Issei (Japanese-born, no matter how long they had legally lived in the U.S.) from the West Coast, and only 25% of Americans objected to the incarceration of Nesei (American born U.S. citizens) for the "crime" of their parents' birth in Japan. Equal protection of the law, and due process of the law, were simply eviscerated.
Told through the stories of several individuals who left their families in the camps in order to serve in the military (and of George Hirabayashi, who refused service, was convicted in the courts, and later exonerated after the war), the truth is hard to read, even eighty years later, in part because we seem to learn so little from the lessons of history.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
3.0
Another book that I wouldn’t have picked up if it wasn’t for the Booktube prize! I learned a lot about our country and how awful it’s been in the past (shocker there). But most importantly, I learned a lot about people that I didn’t know very much about. I’m not a huge fan of war stories, but this one was enjoyable.
kitchensensei's review against another edition
4.0
A really interesting read focused on Japanese Americans during World War II. The book follows a handful of Japanese Americans from before the war and details closely the heroics of the 442nd regiment through the war. It takes awhile to really get into it, but once you come to know the characters, it is quite a compelling read.
nickie1776's review against another edition
5.0
I had a very heavy heart reading this book. The way that these Americans were treated while loving and serving the country in time of war is important for all Americans to know about. What the 442nd was able to accomplish was miraculous, and seeing the war from different fronts helped to give a broad understanding. One soldier's sister had gone to family in Hiroshima, Japan, while his dad was incarcerated here, and the soldier was fighting for the Allies in Italy. True stories are often crazier than fiction. I was left feeling pride, shame, and awe.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's tough, but it's worth it.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's tough, but it's worth it.
stormsb's review against another edition
5.0
A great informative read following the true stories of individuals while giving a good overview of the bigger picture. Such an important book to learn about this piece of American and Japanese American history few of us learned about growing up.
mightync's review against another edition
4.0
Daniel James Brown is a wonderful storyteller. This story, about Japanese-Americans fighting in WWII and their families back home, will pull at your emotions. You will be angry and disgusted that American citizens were forced into concentration camps based solely on their ancestry; you will be frustrated and confused that some of the boys in those camps would volunteer, or be forced, to join the United States Armed Forces; and you will feel elated and satisfied when those boys conduct themselves bravely and become heroes. Without enduring it yourself it's very hard to understand how they must have felt, fighting for justice across the ocean while injustice persists back home. But, some felt they had to prove their Americanism and their loyalty by joining the war effort, to show they were the same proud US citizens as everyone else. Their actions on the battlefield have left no doubt.
shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
An important part of our history and I'm glad that an author of Brown's skill took it on. I really enjoyed the stories of the men the author chose to focus on as well as the narrative style. The way the story was told, as well as the anecdotal stories that gave added flavor, really shone a light on these men's dedication to their country and to proving their patriotism. It's sad that they needed to prove anything and the stories that were told about the racism towards Japanese-Americans were heartbreaking. It was nice to have a counterbalance of some good people who didn't judge the Japanese-Americans based on their ancestry. I think it's important to be honest about our history and to seek to learn about the negative aspects of our past as well as the positive.