📖 Overview
Greg Robinson is a Canadian historian and professor specializing in North American and Asian American history, particularly known for his extensive work on Japanese American internment during World War II. His research and publications have significantly contributed to understanding the wartime confinement of Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadians.
Robinson's most notable works include "By Order of the President: FDR and the Internment of Japanese Americans" (2001) and "A Tragedy of Democracy: Japanese Confinement in North America" (2009). These books have provided detailed examinations of government policies and their impact on Japanese communities during WWII.
Through his academic career at Université du Québec à Montréal, Robinson has produced numerous scholarly articles and books exploring racial prejudice, civil rights, and the Japanese American experience. His work "After Camp: Portraits in Midcentury Japanese American Life and Politics" (2012) documented the resettlement and postwar experiences of Japanese Americans.
Robinson's research has earned several academic awards, including the Honorable Mention for the Frederick Jackson Turner Award from the Organization of American Historians. His writings frequently appear in academic journals and historical publications, contributing to both scholarly discourse and public understanding of Asian American history.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Robinson's thorough research and clear presentation of historical evidence about Japanese internment. His academic writing remains accessible to non-scholars, according to multiple Amazon reviewers.
What readers liked:
- Detailed primary source documentation
- Balanced analysis of government policies and decisions
- Clear explanations of complex political situations
- Personal stories that illuminate the larger historical narrative
What readers disliked:
- Dense academic prose in some sections
- Limited coverage of certain geographic regions
- Price point of hardcover editions
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (89 reviews)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (156 ratings)
One reader noted: "Robinson presents the facts without sensationalism while still conveying the human impact." Another commented: "The archival research is impressive but some chapters get bogged down in policy details."
Scholars and general readers alike cite Robinson's books as factual references on Japanese American/Canadian internment history.
📚 Books by Greg Robinson
By Order of the President: FDR and the Internment of Japanese Americans (2001)
A detailed examination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to authorize and implement the mass confinement of Japanese Americans during World War II.
A Tragedy of Democracy: Japanese Confinement in North America (2009) A comparative study of the parallel confinement of ethnic Japanese in the United States and Canada during World War II.
After Camp: Portraits in Midcentury Japanese American Life and Politics (2012) An analysis of Japanese American life and community rebuilding in the years following their release from World War II confinement camps.
The Great Unknown: Japanese American Sketches (2016) A collection of biographical essays about both notable and lesser-known Japanese Americans throughout history.
The Unsung Great: Portraits of Extraordinary Japanese Americans (2020) Biographical studies of Japanese Americans who made significant but often overlooked contributions to art, literature, law, and social justice.
Pacific Citizens: Larry and Guyo Tajiri and Japanese American Journalism in the World War II Era (2012) A biography examining the lives and work of Larry and Guyo Tajiri, who edited the Japanese American Citizens League newspaper during World War II.
A Tragedy of Democracy: Japanese Confinement in North America (2009) A comparative study of the parallel confinement of ethnic Japanese in the United States and Canada during World War II.
After Camp: Portraits in Midcentury Japanese American Life and Politics (2012) An analysis of Japanese American life and community rebuilding in the years following their release from World War II confinement camps.
The Great Unknown: Japanese American Sketches (2016) A collection of biographical essays about both notable and lesser-known Japanese Americans throughout history.
The Unsung Great: Portraits of Extraordinary Japanese Americans (2020) Biographical studies of Japanese Americans who made significant but often overlooked contributions to art, literature, law, and social justice.
Pacific Citizens: Larry and Guyo Tajiri and Japanese American Journalism in the World War II Era (2012) A biography examining the lives and work of Larry and Guyo Tajiri, who edited the Japanese American Citizens League newspaper during World War II.
👥 Similar authors
Roger Daniels writes about Japanese American incarceration and immigration history with a focus on government policy and institutional discrimination. His research examines primary sources and archival materials from multiple perspectives.
Yuji Ichioka focused on Japanese American social movements and coined the term "Asian American." His work documents Issei-Nisei relations and labor activism in Japanese immigrant communities.
Mae Ngai researches immigration policy and Asian American legal history with emphasis on citizenship and national identity. Her investigations cover similar themes as Robinson regarding exclusion and civil rights.
Alice Yang Murray examines Japanese American redress movements and historical memory. Her documentation of resistance and advocacy connects to Robinson's work on postwar justice.
Erika Lee studies Asian immigration patterns and xenophobia in American history. Her research on border control and racial formation parallels Robinson's analysis of state power.
Yuji Ichioka focused on Japanese American social movements and coined the term "Asian American." His work documents Issei-Nisei relations and labor activism in Japanese immigrant communities.
Mae Ngai researches immigration policy and Asian American legal history with emphasis on citizenship and national identity. Her investigations cover similar themes as Robinson regarding exclusion and civil rights.
Alice Yang Murray examines Japanese American redress movements and historical memory. Her documentation of resistance and advocacy connects to Robinson's work on postwar justice.
Erika Lee studies Asian immigration patterns and xenophobia in American history. Her research on border control and racial formation parallels Robinson's analysis of state power.