Michi Weglyn

Michi Nishiura Weglyn (1926-1999) was a Japanese American author and activist best known for her groundbreaking 1976 work "Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America's Concentration Camps." As a former internee herself, she provided one of the first comprehensive examinations of the U.S. government's incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Born in Stockton, California, Weglyn spent her teenage years imprisoned with her family at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona. After the war, she established a successful career as a costume designer for Broadway and television productions, including work on the Perry Como Show. Her seminal book "Years of Infamy" was the first major exposé of the Japanese American internment written by a former internee. The extensively researched work revealed previously classified government documents and challenged the official narrative that the incarceration was a military necessity. Following the publication of her book, Weglyn became a prominent voice in the Japanese American redress movement. Her research and testimony contributed significantly to the U.S. government's eventual acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to surviving internees.

Readers consistently highlight "Years of Infamy" as a meticulous documentation of Japanese American internment. Many note the book's impact on their understanding of this historical period. What readers appreciate: - Extensive primary source documentation and government records - Personal perspective as a former internee combined with scholarly research - Clear presentation of complex historical events - Impact on redress movement and policy changes Common criticisms: - Dense writing style can be challenging to follow - Some readers found the detailed government documentation overwhelming - Limited personal narrative compared to other internment accounts Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (50+ reviews) One reader notes: "The thorough research and documentary evidence make this an invaluable historical record." Another comments: "Sometimes dry but necessary reading for understanding this dark chapter in American history."

Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America's Concentration Camps (1976) A historical account documenting the U.S. government's internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, based on extensive research of government documents and personal testimonies.

Home Again (1982) A personal memoir describing Weglyn's experiences as a Japanese American teenager in the Gila River internment camp and her life after release.

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston chronicled the Japanese American internment experience in her memoir "Farewell to Manzanar." Her personal account parallels Weglyn's research on the camps and provides firsthand perspective of life behind barbed wire.

Roger Daniels authored multiple historical works on Japanese American incarceration and Asian American civil rights. His research methodology and focus on government policy complement Weglyn's investigative approach in "Years of Infamy."

John Okada wrote "No-No Boy," examining the post-war struggles of Japanese Americans who resisted the draft while imprisoned. His exploration of loyalty, identity, and injustice shares themes with Weglyn's examination of civil rights violations.

Mine Okubo documented her internment experience through illustrations and text in "Citizen 13660." Her work serves as a visual counterpart to Weglyn's detailed historical analysis of the camps.

William Hohri led redress efforts for Japanese Americans and wrote about the constitutional violations of internment. His activism and writing on government accountability align with Weglyn's focus on exposing historical injustices.