Books

Vietnam Vet Publishes ‘Wolfhound Samurai’

rie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:33:19 -0800

LOS ANGELES — The Nikkei Writers Guild announces its first publication, titled “Wolfhound Samurai” by Vincent H. Okamoto.

Okamoto, who was recently inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning in Georgia, is a highly decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. “Wolfhound Samurai” is a story about a Japanese American combat soldier in Vietnam and the harrowing experiences he encounters while looking like the enemy.

‘Rising Sun’ Author Dies

james — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:18:28 -0800

Michael Crichton, author of such best-sellers as “The Andromeda Strain” and “Jurassic Park,” died Nov. 4 of cancer in Los Angeles. He was 66.

His 1992 novel “Rising Sun,” about the cover-up of a murder at a Japanese company in Los Angeles, was criticized by some, including members of the Japanese American community, as a tirade against Japanese business practices and Japan’s corporate presence in the U.S.

Asia Experts Buruma, Nathan to Speak in S.F.

rie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0700

The Asia Society of Northern California will bring together two legendary experts on East Asia, Ian Buruma and John Nathan, on Monday, Oct. 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post st., San Francisco.

The two will discuss their newest books — Buruma’s “The China Lover” and Nathan’s “Living Carelessly in Tokyo and Elsewhere” — but count on the discussion to range widely: to politics, arts and culture, expat life in Asia, and the life of the intellectual in contemporary East Asia.

Artist Okubo's Life Celebrated at NYC Book Party

rie — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:50:43 -0700

by TAMIO SPIEGEL
Special to Hokubei Mainichi

NEW YORK — On Sept. 11, about 35 members of the New York City-area Japanese American community and friends gathered in a Manhattan living room.

The impetus for this gathering is a new book, “Mine Okubo: Following Her Own Road,” published by University of Washington Press in Seattle. Edited by Greg Robinson and Elena Tajima Creef, the book sets out to provide a critical overview of the life and work of the exceptional Nisei artist.

Biography of Wally Yonamine Published

rie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:36 -0700

LINCOLN, Neb. — Wally Yonamine was both the first Japanese American to play for an NFL franchise (the San Francisco 49ers) and the first American to play professional baseball in Japan after World War II.

“Wally Yonamine: The Man Who Changed Japanese Baseball” by Robert Fitts, published by University of Nebraska Press, is the unlikely story of how a shy young man from the sugar plantations of Maui overcame prejudice to integrate two professional sports in two countries.

The book includes an introduction by Sen. Daniel Inouye from Yonamine’s home state.

Sgt. Rock to Meet 442nd in New Comic Book

james — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:20:36 -0700

SAN DIEGO — Comicon, the world-renowned comic book and animation convention, opened to a record-breaking 125,000 attendees on July 24 and welcomed some new participants — World War II veterans from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

They included Medal of Honor recipient George “Joe” Sakato (E Company), David Katagiri (F Company) and Jim Yamashita (I Company) along with their escorts, Leslie Sakato (Joe’s daughter), JA Living Legacy’s Susan Uyemura and Judge Bryan Yagi.

New Book Profiles ‘Principled Politician’

james — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

by J.K. YAMAMOTO
Hokubei Mainichi

DENVER — Ralph Carr, the governor of Colorado during World War II, is a hero to local Japanese Americans, but has been virtually unknown to the general public — until now.

Adam Schrager, a reporter for the NBC affiliate in Denver, discussed his new book, “Principled Politician: The Ralph Carr Story,” as the luncheon speaker at “Whose America? Who’s American? Diversity, Civil Liberties and Social Justice,” a conference held by the Japanese American National Museum from July 3 to 6.

An Assembly of Authors

james — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:24:10 -0700

DENVER —”Whose America? Who’s American? Diversity, Civil Liberties and Social Justice,” a conference held in Denver by the Japanese American National Museum from July 3 to 6, featured several authors of books about Japanese Americans.

From the Bay Area, Tsukasa Matsueda discussed his book “Issei: The Shadow Generation,” which looks at cultural traits that the Issei passed on to the Nisei, such as the concept of “gaman” (to endure).

Kadohata's New Novel a Tale of Struggling Sisters

james — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:31:47 -0700

Author Cynthia Kadohata’s latest book for young readers is “Outside Beauty” (Simon & Schuster).

The novel is narrated by 13-year-old Shelby, who can only describe her mother as a sexpot who collects men (and loans, spending money, and gifts of all kinds) from all over the country. She’s atypical, but she’s more than a pretty face — she’s confident and brave and lives life on her own terms. Her four daughters, all from different fathers, adore her, and work together to keep the family grounded in a way their mother can’t.

Naomi Hirahara's '1,001 Cranes' More Than Origami

james — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:23:27 -0700

Naomi Hirahara’s latest book, “1001 Cranes” (Delacorte Press), is a change of pace for the popular mystery writer.

The novel for young readers tells the story of 12-year-old Angela Kato. When Angela arrives in Los Angeles, the last thing she wants to do is spend the entire summer with her grandparents. But in the Kato family, one is never permitted to complain.

Grandma Michi and Aunt Janet put Angela to work in their flower shop, folding origami and creating 1,001-crane displays for newlyweds. At first, Angela learns the trade begrudgingly.