They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

5 (4)
$19.99

Product Details

Web ID: 15843607

New York Times Bestseller! A stunning graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei's childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. Experience the forces that shaped an American icon and America itself in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love. George Takei has captured hearts and minds worldwide with his captivating stage presence and outspoken commitment to equal rights. But long before he braved new frontiers in Star Trek, he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future. In 1942, at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten "relocation centers," hundreds or thousands of miles from home, where they would be held for years under armed guard. They Called Us Enemy is Takei's firsthand account of those years behind barbed wire, the joys and terrors of growing up under legalized racism, his mother's hard choices, his father's faith in democracy, and the way those experiences planted the seeds for his astonishing future.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range - 12-17 Years
    • Format - Paperback
    • Product dimensions - 6.3" W x 8.9" H x 0.7" D
    • Genre - History
    • Publisher - IDW Publishing, Publication date - 07-16-2019
    • Page count - 208
    • ISBN - 9781603094504

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Ratings & Reviews

5/5

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1 month ago

Impactful and horrific

An important and powerful piece of history in the form of a graphic novel memoir. I had a general idea of the Japanese American incarcerations from previously living in LA, but this book really gives both a good overall and personal history of what really happened and how the US government strong armed Japanese American citizens to giving up their rights. George Takeo is an exemplary storyteller, and this story is as important as ever, especially in the current political climate. Sadly, if we don’t learn from history, then it will only repeat itself

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Hingham, MA

An Important Story

This graphic memoir of George Takei's experiences in Japanese Internment camps is powerful. Seen through the eyes of a child and reflected upon by an adult, Takei's story speaks to family, to love, to what it means to belong and what it means to be an American. This important slice of American history is explained clearly, both factually and emotionally. The presentation (graphics) makes this story accessible on many levels.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Dallas, TX

One of the Most Important Books of Our Time!

This book is an Adult Graphic Novel and one of the most important! Internment happened to Mr. Takei many years ago and is still happening today. A must read for all.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

4 years ago

A must read graphic memoir!

After the attack upon Pearl Harbor (WWII), every person of Japanese descent was sent to American internment camps. Their possession was taken, bank account was frozen, curfew was issued and loyalty was questioned. In this graphic memoir, George Takei shares his painful experience as he was incarcerated with his family behind barbed-wire fences. It was heartbreaking to see his innocence filling what looked like a sweet childhood in contrast to the injustice and degrading conditions that he lived in. To witness the traumatic experience which he and his family (alongside other people of Japanese descent) were haunted by fear and shame was rather infuriating and painful to read. I applaud Takei who ended up devoting his life to be a community activist that use his voice and platform to advocate for Japanese Americans, social justice, equality and humans rights. "... and therefore we don't learn the lesson those chapters have to teach us. So we repeat them over and over again. " THEY CALLED US ENEMY highlights the prejudice against Japanese Americans and their mass incarceration. It seems like we really don't learn from our history and the episodes of prejudice repeat over and over again (racism against immigrants, Muslim ban,...). We need to fight against it and this book urges us to take action. I also highly recommend picking up 'Displacement' after reading this graphic memoir.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com