And Justice for All

At the outbreak of World War II, more than 115,000 Japanese American civilians living on the West Coast of the United States were rounded up and sent to desolate "relocation" camps, where most spent the duration of the war. In this poignant and bitter yet inspiring oral history, John Tateishi allows thirty Japanese Americans, victims of this trauma, to speak for themselves. "And Justice for All" captures the personal feelings and experiences of the only group of American citizens ever to be confined in concentration camps in the United States. In this new edition of the book, which was originally published in 1984, an Afterword by the author brings up to date the lives of those he interviewed. "At last the silent speak: the Nisei who were concentratedly camped during World War II. In the overflowing of grievance, so long muted, the victims themselves tell us what it was really like. This is the Book of Humiliations as well as Revelations. We have the long needed reminder, in chapter and verse, of our nation's most shameful episode."--Studs Terkel"These moving personal recollections capture the plight of those who were victims of the most disgraceful episode in American history--the internment in concentration camps of Americans of Japanese descent during World War II."--Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr."Eloquent and poignant, "And Justice for All" brings to life the tragedy of the Japanese American internment for generations to come."--Senator Daniel K. Inouye