Unpacking the wordy subtitle, the diplomacy is only mildly intriguing ... It is the individual stories of the civilians being moved—many unwillingly—that make this a tale worth telling.
Meticulously researched ... A poignant reminder that even in moments of international strife, there are people in and outside of government who will work hard to protect human life ... Exploring these stories through a civilian and bureaucratic lens, Iritani crafts some novel and relevant interpretations of the Pacific War ... A hopeful book, and a powerful antiwar plea in a year desperately in need of one.
Iritani stitches together a moving and important story that has been nearly lost to history ... Remarkable ... Reads at times like a spy novel against a backdrop of wartime horror and uncertainty. In the best tradition of literary nonfiction, Iritani dives deep into the characters’ backgrounds describing in satisfying detail their upbringing, education, family relationships, and personality quirks ... Her words and this book, an important addition to the canon of Japanese American history, could not have been more timely.
Gripping and immersive ... Heart-wrenching ... Iritani brings depth to these events ... Quietly devastating ... Spotlights how man’s inhumanity to man flourishes in wartime.
