Years of Infamy

Years of Infamy documents the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The book examines the policies and decisions that led to the mass imprisonment of over 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom were U.S. citizens. Author Michi Weglyn draws from government documents, military records, and personal testimonies to reconstruct this period of American history. Her research exposes the roles of political leaders, military officials, and civilian administrators in implementing and maintaining the internment program. She traces the progression from initial suspicion and surveillance of Japanese Americans to their eventual removal from the West Coast and confinement in remote camps. The narrative follows key developments from Pearl Harbor through the closure of the last camps in 1946. The work stands as both historical documentation and social commentary on civil rights, constitutional freedoms, and the impact of wartime hysteria on democratic principles. Through its examination of institutional racism and abuse of power, the book raises questions about government authority and individual liberty that remain relevant today.

Readers value the detailed documentation and personal perspective Weglyn brings as a former internment camp detainee. Many note her thorough research using declassified government documents to expose the economic and racist motivations behind Japanese American internment. Readers appreciate: - Clear presentation of evidence and historical records - Inclusion of photographs and primary sources - Focus on lesser-known aspects like Latin American Japanese internment - Balanced tone despite the author's direct experience Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be challenging - Some sections become repetitive - Limited coverage of certain camps and regions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.32/5 (168 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Unlike other internment accounts that focus on personal stories, Weglyn methodically builds her case through government documents and records." -Goodreads reviewer Some readers mention the book remains relevant to current discussions about civil rights and government overreach.

Personal Justice Denied by Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians The official government report documents the violations of civil rights during Japanese American internment through historical records, testimonies, and evidence.

By Order of the President by Greg Robinson This examination of Franklin D. Roosevelt's role in Japanese American internment reveals the political decisions and racial prejudices that led to Executive Order 9066.

Desert Exile by Yoshiko Uchida A first-person account chronicles the author's family's experiences from their Berkeley home to their confinement at Tanforan and Topaz internment camps.

The Politics of Prejudice by Roger Daniels This historical analysis traces the development of anti-Japanese sentiment on the West Coast from the 1890s through World War II internment.

No-No Boy by John Okada This novel follows a Japanese American who resisted the draft while imprisoned in an internment camp and explores the postwar struggles of Japanese Americans.

🔖 Author Michi Weglyn was herself incarcerated at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona as a teenager during WWII, giving her firsthand experience with the events she documented. 🔖 The book, published in 1976, was the first major exposé of the Japanese American internment camps written by a former internee, challenging the government's claim that the camps were for "military necessity." 🔖 Weglyn discovered through her research that the U.S. government had intelligence reports indicating Japanese Americans posed no security threat, yet proceeded with the internment anyway. 🔖 The book played a crucial role in the Japanese American redress movement, with many activists and legislators citing it as influential in their support for the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations to internment survivors. 🔖 Before becoming an author and activist, Weglyn worked as a successful costume designer for Broadway and television, including for the Perry Como Show in the 1950s.