George Takei

An unsparing account of Takei's family's unjust imprisonment, along with tens of thousands of other Japanese-American families (including many U.S. citizens) during WWII in the wake of the Pearl Harbor bombing. Takei was four in 1941, and for the next few years, he lived with his mother, father, and two siblings at Camp Rohwer in Arkansas, and then Tule Lake Segregation Center in California. Takei's story ends back in Los Angeles, where the family is reunited after the end of the war (Takei's father went ahead to find them a place to stay). Throughout, Takei's parents are true heroes, making their children feel safe and loved, creating community, and remaining firm in their principles.

Extensive back matter includes a glossary and pronunciation guide, an author's note and photos, and "after the war," a section explaining postwar struggles and the long-delayed Civil Liberties Act and formal apology from President Reagan - too late for Takei's father, who died in 1979.… (more)

Reading an inside perspective on Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese American interment camps that followed is a totally heartbreaking but important experience, and I deeply believe everyone living in the USA needs to read this book ASAP. I've always admired Takei, and this book just heightens that. He does a marvelous job recounting not only the time he and his family spend in the camps, but also the state of political affairs during and after that time, and how this experience affected his entire life. I really don't know how to say anything that will do this book justice - just read it!!… (more)