Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II

by Daniel James Brown

Hardcover, 2021

Status

Available

Genres

Collection

Edwin Mitoma Collection

Publication

Viking (2021), 560 pages

Description

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat, a gripping World War II saga of patriotism and courage: the special Japanese-American Army unit that overcame brutal odds in Europe; their families, incarcerated in camps back home; and a young man who refused to surrender his constitutional rights, even if it meant imprisonment. They came from across the continent and Hawaii. Their parents taught them to embrace both their Japanese heritage and the ways of their American homeland. They faced bigotry, yet they believed in their bright futures as American citizens. But within days of Pearl Harbor, the FBI was ransacking their houses and locking up their fathers. Within months many would themselves be living in internment camps. Facing the Mountain is an unforgettable chronicle of war-time America and the battlefields of Europe. Based on Daniel James Brown's extensive interviews with the families of the protagonists as well as deep archival research, it portrays the kaleidoscopic journey of four Japanese-American families and their sons, who volunteered for 442nd Regimental Combat Team and were deployed to France, Germany, and Italy, where they were asked to do the near impossible. But this is more than a war story. Brown also tells the story of these soldiers' parents, immigrants who were forced to shutter the businesses, surrender their homes, and submit to life in concentration camps on U.S. soil. Woven throughout is the chronicle of a brave young man, one of a cadre of patriotic resisters who stood up against their government in defense of their own rights. Whether fighting on battlefields or in courtrooms, these were Americans under unprecedented strain, doing what Americans do best--striving, resisting, pushing back, rising up, standing on principle, laying down their lives, and enduring"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member brangwinn

Although as a school librarian, I have found a number of books for kids about the heart-wrenching treatment of Japanese Americans, this is the first book for adults which really delves into the issues faced by Japanese Americans on the west coast and Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. Like Brown did for

the University of Washington crew team who represented the US in Hitler’s Olympics, the focus is on a few Japanese Americans who served in the 442nd in Italy, France and Germany as well as a conscience objector. It’s publishing comes just when Asian Americans facing racist violence. I met some of the members of the 442nd at Bellevue Washington Sister Cities meetings. I continually was amazed at how the men who were incarcerated for being Japanese chose to fight for the US. They were unassuming men who felt they did their duty. If it wasn’t for people like Brown, who in writing so well, brings them to the forefront as their story is told.

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LibraryThing member FormerEnglishTeacher

The title of the book, “Facing the Mountain: The True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II” likely causes someone who hasn’t read the book to assume this is the story of Japanese American soldiers in WW II. And that is true, but it’s only half the story. The other half of

Daniel James Brown’s (also authored the best seller “Boys in the Boat”) book tells one of American’s darkest stories since slavery—the incarceration of Japanese, including American citizens of Japanese descent, in concentration camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Most Americans are well aware that the U.S. government herded Japanese citizens into camps, but not many know the story of the sons of those Japanese Americans who fought, many heroically, in the fiercest battles of World War II. The men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fought in France, Germany, and Italy where their missions were virtually impossible, and, although their casualties were huge, in each battle, they achieved the impossible victory. One severely injured soldier was back home in the states. On crutches, he walked into a barber shop before going to see his parents. A sign in the window said, “No Japs allowed!” Obviously recovering from injuries suffered in the war (he was in full uniform), the owner of the shop came up to him, grabbed him and physically threw him and his crutches out into the street. That is the respect members of the 442nd got. Finally after decades of essentially ignoring the unit’s incredible achievements, the U.S. government finally recognized their heroism and awarded Presidential Medals to many in the unit. Among the many veterans of the 442nd who went to law school and then entered public service, Hawaiian senator Daniel Inoue (1924-2012) served his state and the nation in the Senate from 1963 to 2012. Inoue lost his right arm in one of the bloodiest battles the 442nd fought. Inoue was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The story of Inoue and the rest of the unit is told with amazing detail by Brown with the same dignity as “Boys in the Boat.” This is a book every American should take the time to read.

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LibraryThing member nmele

Dan Brown has written an excellent history of the Japanese-Americans who lived through World War 2, with a special focus on those who fought their way through some of the hardest fighting of the European theater. Brown did a massive amount of research, interviewing many survivors and pouring

through records. I was astounded by the accounts of the 442nd's battles.

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LibraryThing member Nancyjcbs

I listened to the audiobook of Facing The Mountain. It is the most complete telling of the Japanese American battalions during World War II that I have ever heard.

I found some aspects of this book phenomenal while others a bit boring. But I'm sure that's my frame of reference not a shortcoming by

the author.
My cons: I had a difficult time remembering some of the names and/or hearing the differences in the names. At time I felt the battle scenes were too protracted (and yes I'm sure they felt much longer and more burdensome for those entrenched in warfare so I'm a privileged idiot).
My pros: Getting to know the people involved in this experience: in concentration camps, in legal battles, losing everything and experiencing racism, and serving the United States in battle. Learning more about Senator Daniel Inouye and his heroism was an unexpected bonus.

I found Facing The Mountain to be a very timely book since so much of it focused on the racism and discrimination against Japanese Americans in the 1940's. We have certainly not advanced significantly in the nearly eighty years since the attack on Pear Harbor.

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LibraryThing member muddyboy

A nicely researched look into a long neglected topic, the heroic actions of Japanese American soldiers fighting in the European theater of World War Two. The book also covers the lives of others who spent four years in American relocation camps during the War. Much of the military action takes

place in Italy and to the end of the book Germany. We get a close look at families, friends as well as the struggles, hardships and the their ultimate vindication of their heroic service to our country.

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LibraryThing member Iudita

Interesting content and heavily researched but this author takes the "narrative" in narrative non-fiction to new heights. I found it excessively wordy and I sometimes struggled to stay engaged.

LibraryThing member MrDickie

Outstanding account of the experience of the Japanese Americans and the members of the 442nd RCT during World War II.

LibraryThing member Castlelass

This is an extremely unsettling book about racial bigotry in all its ugliness. During WWII, Japanese and Japanese Americans were interned in camps, euphemistically called “relocation centers.” The camps were surrounded by barbed wire watchtowers, similar to what one would find in a prison.

These people were stripped of their civil rights, and lost their homes, businesses, and possessions. The author focuses on individuals and families whose lives were disrupted.

Eventually, the need for more combat troops resulted in the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a racially segregated unit of Japanese Americans. This account highlights the experiences of four men, three of whom served in the unit. The unit’s experiences and achievements are impressive.

The author based his account on interviews, archives, and recorded voices. He relates history through telling the stories of the people who lived through it. It is an impressive work and particularly pertinent as a warning to safeguard against erosion of civil liberties.

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LibraryThing member Schmerguls

5818. Facing the Mountain A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II, by Daniel James Brown (read 1 Mar 2023) This is a well-written, well-researched account of the Japanese Americans who volunteered to fight in World War II, even though some of their family were involuntarily in

internment camps. They were much decorated and were great soldiers. The legal questions in regard interment of some is not handled too well, but the account is otherwise with the author's usual excellence.

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LibraryThing member bell7

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, a series of events and political decision were set in motion, leading to an exclusion zone, Japanese internment of immigrants and American citizens, and also the creation of a completely Japanese American fighting force in Europe.

Daniel James Brown,

author of The Boys in the Boat delves into the story of the 442nd infantry, using materials from the Densho project and other primary sources, told most often through the experiences of Kats, Rudy, Fred, and Gordon. The first three fought in Europe; Gordon was a Quaker and conscientious objector who went to court - and prison - over refusing to capitulate to race-based curfews and quietly but firmly insisting on his rights as an American.

At first, I was overwhelmed by the details and back stories that Brown brings in, trying to keep everything - and everyone - straight in my head. I had to write down the characteristics of the four main men that he follows. I found some chapters downright tedious. But then they get to Europe, and the writing really takes off as you learn about what happened as they fight in Italy and Germany, contrasted with what was happening at home, where - as bravely as they fought in the war - there was still racism and unfair treatment. I actually wanted more when it ended.

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LibraryThing member yukon92

Having read the author's "The boys in the boat" I wanted to read more. I learnt a lot about these courageous soldiers and their families who were treated incredibly badly during WW II.

LibraryThing member eduscapes

FACING THE MOUNTAIN by Daniel James Brown is an adaption of the acclaimed work of adult nonfiction. This engaging true story explores the Japanese American heroes of World War II. Facing discrimination at home, this riveting narrative nonfiction follows three soldiers deployed to Europe and the

challenges faced by their families back home. ARC courtesy of Viking Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House.

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LibraryThing member sblock

Outstanding. I'm telling everyone I know to read this book.

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