Facing the Mountain

A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II

By: Daniel James Brown

Narrated by: Louis Ozawa

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

One of NPR's "Books We Love" of 2021

Longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography

Winner of the Christopher Award

“Masterly. An epic story of four Japanese-American families and their sons who volunteered for military service and displayed uncommon heroism… Propulsive and gripping, in part because of Mr. Brown’s ability to make us care deeply about the fates of these individual soldiers...a page-turner.” – Wall Street Journal

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat, a gripping World War II saga of patriotism and resistance, focusing on four Japanese American men and their families, and the contributions and sacrifices that they made for the sake of the nation.

In the days and months after Pearl Harbor, the lives of Japanese Americans across the continent and Hawaii were changed forever. In this unforgettable chronicle of war-time America and the battlefields of Europe, Daniel James Brown portrays the journey of Rudy Tokiwa, Fred Shiosaki, and Kats Miho, who volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and were deployed to France, Germany, and Italy, where they were asked to do the near impossible. Brown also tells the story of these soldiers' parents, immigrants who were forced to submit to life in concentration camps on U.S. soil. Woven throughout is the chronicle of Gordon Hirabayashi, one of a cadre of patriotic resisters who stood up against their government in defense of their own rights. Whether fighting on battlefields or in courtrooms, these were Americans under unprecedented strain, doing what Americans do best—striving, resisting, pushing back, rising up, standing on principle, laying down their lives, and enduring.

©2021 Daniel James Brown (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Slate's "Father’s Day Gifts for Even the Hardest-to-Buy-for Dad"

"The story of the fearless men of the 442nd Regiment feels especially relevant, with Asian Americans once again under attack." (New York Post)

“Facing the Mountain is more than just the story of a group of young men whose valor helped save a country that spurned them, it's a fascinating, expertly written look at selfless heroes who emerged from one of the darkest periods of American history — soldiers the likes of which this country may never see again.” (NPR)

“Masterly. An epic story of four Japanese-American families and their sons who volunteered for military service and displayed uncommon heroism… Propulsive and gripping, in part because of Mr. Brown’s ability to make us care deeply about the fates of these individual soldiers...a page-turner.” (Wall Street Journal)

Excellent as always!

Daniel James Brown has this way of getting you right in the feels in the most unexpected of ways sometimes. This book, much like, "The Boys In The Boat," and, "Under A Flaming Sky," get to you. I cry at times during each of his books. this is my second time listening to this book. I will absolutely listening to it again in the future!

Review

Sad to read at times. Well written,opened my eyes to stories I had no idea existed

Amazing true story

I fell into this book. What an incredible story about some incredible men. Very well researched and written.

Listened twice!

I fell in love with these courageous young men and their devoted, wise families. I have a fondness for history and a military husband. We will be going to Italy later this year to retrace the route of the U.S. Army. The stories of the heroism of these brave men have been part of the inspiration for going. Now, each battle site, mountain and crossroad will have greater meaning. Thank you to the author for bringing their struggles to life and into the light.

War, Racism, and Responsibility

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Daniel James Brown. I was lucky to have had an excellent education, but unlike my history classes, his books have provided me a more authentic and in-depth understanding of the human experience they dramatize in his beautiful writing, his tactile descriptions mined from exhaustive research. I will not deny that much of this book was hard to listen to - the rampant racism and the horrific battle scenes it depicted. But the most painful was knowing that we, as a country, have continued to simply find others to ostracize denigrate and hate, out of panic and fear, spurred on by the fear mongering of those we give power to. And humanity still wages wars that kill and maim young men and women who’ve barely had time on this earth to live. Nothing, that I can see, has changed. But as depressed and disturbed as I felt listening to the fine narrator read this book, I also felt a compulsion to finish it. It was the least I could do, given the suffering and heroism it depicted. It was, in my view, my responsibility as an American who would very much like to preserve our democracy that so many have died for. It was my responsibility to listen to how hard the Japanese American 442 fought to preserve it, even as they faced, much like African Americans, rampant racism before and after they returned. And equally heroic, was that those veterans who this story profiled, along with an imprisoned conscientious objector, and holocaust survivor, were not consumed by bitterness. I feel bitter, having just finished this book, and frankly, pretty hopeless. But their lives can also serve to motivate me to continue to stand up for and exemplify the values of freedom and equality that are so clearly under threat right now, values that must endure to continue to define my country. That, too, is my responsibility as an American citizen and a human being. And though this book does not preach, it sends that strong message.

A story that needed telling

I liked this even better than The Boys in the Boat. The only negative for me was the narration. The narrator had a fine voice that was pleasant to listen to. But it seems to me that there should be an editor who helps the narrator avoid mispronunciations, just as an editor helps the author avoid misspelling. The frequent mispronunciations of Pacific Northwest towns (Spokane, Puyallup) were noticeable, as were the frequent eliding of the letter “d” (di’nt” for “didn’t”). This is a fairly academic book, so I didn’t expect it.

The Whole Story

This is the quintessential story of the Japanese American experience during WWII, from families interned to first generation citizens who joined the most decorated unit of soldiers in the war. Included is the history of the Japanese living in Hawaii. It was difficult to be reminded of the extreme prejudice exhibited during and after the war, but even more difficult to comprehend the struggle involved in procuring a semblance of justice and reparation.

I appreciate the vast personal research done by Daniel James Brown and the compelling presentation in this book. The incredible narration by Louis Ozawa completed the vivid visualization of this important time in our history.

A must listen

A great story on about the relentless determination of Americans of Japanese heritage fighting for a country that didn’t always treat them as the deserved to be treated. We all enjoy freedom today in large part of the 442nd Infantry and they deserve many thanks! They did our county proud!

Daniel James Brown has done it again! Three cheers for the 442nd!

Must read!

Excellent story about our tainted past related to our horrible actions toward Japanese Americans, and an inspirational story about the Japanese Americans who helped win WW1.

Every American

Every American should read this book! Very interesting and informative reading. Read and learn.