Book Review: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (and others)

They Called Us Enemy
by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, with art by Harmony Becker (YA PB (Graphic Novel) Takei)

This powerful graphic novel memoir, written by actor George Takei (with help from Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott), and with art by Harmony Becker, is a compelling and haunting look at one of the darkest chapters in American history.

Takei, forever Hikaru Sulu in the minds of classic Star Trek fans, has been an activist in his later years, speaking out about cultural, political and moral issues close to his heart. The two topics he gravitates towards the most are gay rights — Takei has been open about his homosexuality since the 1980s and has been married to his husband Brad since 2008 (though they’ve been together since 1987), and the Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

This memoir tells the story of his family, George, his father and mother, and younger brother and sister, and the harrowing experiences they had in first Camp Rohwer in Arkansas, and then Camp Tule Lake in California. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, there was a great deal of undeserved distrust of Americans of Japanese descent in the United States. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, instructing the military to gather up all Japanese-Americans in the U.S. and “detail” them in ten Internment camps scattered throughout the country. This Japanese families, comprised of 127,000 individuals (112,000 on the West Coast, and the rest scattered through the country) was made up of 80,000 Nisei (first generation individuals born in the U.S. to immigrant parents), and the rest were either Sansei (grandchildren of immigrants) or Issei (the original Japanese immigrants not eligible for citizenship).

This book jumps back and forth in time, with framing sequences of a current-day Takei speaking at both a TEDTalk in Kyoto, and in 2017 at an event at Roosevelt’s historic home. But the majority of the book is told in flashbacks to George’s experiences growing up in the internment camps, and his memories of his parents. I was aware of his story in only broad strokes — I had enjoyed seeing a filmed version of his stage musical Allegiance (and the CD soundtrack of that show), which looked at the Japanese internment in a more general sense), but this book managed to tell a much more detailed version of the story.

This is a sorrowful story, but also leavened with a great deal of humor. As a child, George Takei did not necessarily see the imprisonment of his people as the horrible situation that it was — instead, he was just a little kid and that’s the way he remembers growing up. But, looked back on now from his 80s, it’s amazing the equanimity he is able to maintain when speaking or writing about it today.

And this is the perfect time to reflect on this dark chapter in American history, when war-inspired prejudice led to unthinkable actions. Takei speaks up frequently to point out the frightening parallels between the Japanese American experiences in the 1940s and the Mexican American and Islamic American experiences today.

Absolutely unforgettable read. Highly recommended.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the Broadway musical Allegiance, by George Takei (and others).]

[ publisher’s official They Called Us Enemy web page ] | [ official George Takei web site ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood
by Trevor Noah [Biography Noah] 

I only knew of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show, and since I’ve always been in awe by both his humor and his ability to explain politics, history, and life in a way that’s easy for me to understand, I couldn’t wait to finish the other book I was reading when this fell into my hands. I’m glad I listened to my instincts, as I have been thoroughly enjoying and recommending this book to everyone.

Not only did he teach me an incredible amount about Apartheid, but (unbelievable as it is that a biography from South Africa during Apartheid could offer any light moments) he was also hilarious in describing himself as a young person who gave his mom a giant’s share of challenges with his behavior. His tribute to his mother is always a top theme among the eleven short stories in this book. She was strong and raised him to carry himself as a good person and escape poverty.

His mother is a black Xhosa woman, and his father is a white Swiss man. Since South African separated white people, black people, “colored” people (their word for those with a black parent and a white parent), and Indians into different communities to keep them separate, being seen walking with either of his parents would result in them being imprisoned for four to five years. I learned there are eleven national languages in South African.

Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I am so glad he wrote so much about his truly inspirational and strong mother.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Swing Time, by Zadie Smith.]

[ publisher’s official Born a Crime web site ] | [ official Trevor Noah web site ]

Recommended by Jodi R.
Gere Branch Library

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I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short (downloadable audiobook)

I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
by Martin Short [Biography Short / Downloadable Audio / Compact Disc Biography Short]

Martin Short has always been one of my favorite comic actors. He throws himself into bizarre characters that really add life and texture to even the most bland productions. Many of his popular “bits” have really taken on a life of their own, particularly the Pat Sajak-obsessed Ed Grimley (from whom the title of Martin’s book originates), and the fawning and repulsive Jiminy Glick. In this very enjoyable autobiography, Short recounts his experiences growing up in Canada, pretending to be an entertainer and talk-show/variety-show host at a very young age. Short provides numerous amusing and insightful observations about the entertainment industry in both Canada and the U.S., and the many fascinating actors and comedians he’s worked with. I particularly enjoyed his tales of working on both Saturday Night Live and SCTV. For such a gifted comic actor and writer, making me laugh at the humor in his life was child’s play. However, the chapters in which he recounts his wife’s battles with ovarian cancer, to which she succumbed in 2010, are ultimately the most moving part of this showbiz memoir. I checked this out from the libraries as a downloadable audiobook, and in retrospect I must say that this is really the only way to enjoy this biography. While well written, and probably enjoyable as a printed book, the audiobook format allows for Short, who narrates, to launch into dozens of character voices, sing songs and emote. This was a truly moving and laugh-filled reading/listening experience. I can’t recommend this highly enough — one of my favorite reads in the past few years!

[ publisher’s I Must Say web page ] | [ Martin Short page on Wikipedia ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read or listened to this? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations! 

Life Could Be Verse by Kirk Douglas

Life Could be Verse: Reflections on Love, Loss and What Really Matters
by Kirk Douglas [Biography Douglas]

This is a slim but delightful little volume from the legendary actor Kirk Douglas. Though he has been a poet for most of his life, finding comfort in expressing himself through verse, it has been since his January 1996 stroke that Douglas has spent more time on his written words -- the stroke left it very difficult for him to speak normally. In this little volume, Douglas combines his poems with an extensive collection of photographs from throughout his lengthy career. Douglas is 98 years old at this time, and as he looks back over an unforgettable life, to share some bits of pieces with the reader, we are treated to his terrific sense of humor and can really see the joy he feels in his career and family accomplishments. There are other, more detailed, biographies of Douglas available, including his own book My Stroke of Luck, but if you're looking for a light read, filled with rare photographs, and some surprisingly touching poetry, I recommend giving this short book a try! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile and more of his reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try My Stroke of Luck.]

[ publisher's official Life Could be Verse page ] | [ Wikipedia page for Kirk Douglas ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell

It Was Me All Along
by Andie Mitchell [Biography Mitchell]

In this touching memoir, Andie as an unhappy and obese adult looks back on her childhood, adolescence, and college years - and the relationships she had with food as well as people during those years to find out why she has a food addiction. We catch up on her past and root alongside her as she tries to lose it all to gain the happiness and freedom she desperately desires. We follow her triumphs and struggles with hilarious insight that lead to her present success. A non-preachy, knowledgeable voice that still understands the struggles and heartache, Andie's book is quick and enjoyable read. -- recommended by Sarah J. - South Branch Library
[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Andie Mitchell's blog, started before the book at canyoustayfordinner.com.]

[Also available in book-on-cd formats.]

[ official Andie Mitchell web site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Shadows of the Workhouse

Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse
by Jennifer Worth

Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, this compelling PBS TV series is now being published in print form. I found the stories flesh out shows that I have seen very well. the writing is excellent and draws the reader into the world of the slums of mid-twentieth century England. -- recommended by Kim J. - Bennett Martin Public Library [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Call the Midwife, the BBC series on DVD.]

[ Wikipedia page for the late Jennifer Worth ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: [a Mostly True Memoir]
by Jenny Lawson [Biography Lawson]

Be ready to laugh, cry, and laugh some more as you get a glimpse of Lawson's life from childhood to adulthood with all the raucous adventures that form her into the woman she has become. If reading in public, be warned you might not help but burst out into laughter quite frequently as Lawson brings humor into every situation she encounters. Warning - explicit language used. -- recommended by Sarah J. - South Branch Library

[ official The Blogess web site ]
 
Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!