The Japanese internment camps were a dark period in American history, and many unforgettable stories were experienced by the people who were sent to those camps. A book that serves as a gripping reminder of this history is “Farewell to Manzanar” by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston.
This book examines the experience of one Japanese American family - the Wakatsukis - during their years of incarceration in the Manzanar internment camp in California. Through an emotional first-person narrative, the reader is taken on a journey into the lives of the family, exploring the bonds of hope, strength, sacrifice and love that kept them together throughout their imprisonment.
The memoir also provides a direct, personal perspective on the deportation of Japanese Americans, the interrogations by the US government, the fear of sudden assault, the sense of being powerless, and the fragility of family life during imprisonment. It has been praised for its authenticity and ability to bring this period of history to life for a modern audience.
For those looking for more information on this important topic, the United States History section of the National Parks Service website has some excellent resources. https://www.nps.gov/ushi/history-culture.htm
Overall, “Farewell to Manzanar” provides an incredibly powerful and personal insight into the history of Japanese internment camps and the effect they had on the lives of those who were subjected to them. It is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a greater understanding of this tragic moment in American history.
