Life Behind Barbed Wire: The World War II Internment Memoirs

In this review of Life Behind Barbed Wire, the reviewer finds a rare and candid firsthand account that belongs on the shelf of anyone studying Japanese American history. Yasutaro Soga's memoir chronicles his arrest on the night of Pearl Harbor and nearly four years of detention across Sand Island, Lordsburg, and Santa Fe, making this book essential for readers who want a primary perspective on the Issei experience. The single biggest reason to buy is the memoir's direct voice: it records an immigrant editor's personal ordeal and observations that are scarcely represented in broader narratives.

Key Features

• Firsthand account: The memoir provides a direct narrative from an Issei detainee, offering unique insight into daily life and treatment inside multiple camps.
• Chronological scope: The book traces Soga's experience from his arrest after Pearl Harbor through six months at Sand Island and subsequent transfers, giving a sustained view over almost four years.
• Cultural perspective: As the editor of a Japanese-language newspaper, Soga brings a literate, observant voice that helps readers understand community dynamics among Hawaii Issei.
• Geographic range: The narrative covers camps in Hawaii and the continental U.S., including Sand Island, Lordsburg, and a Justice Department camp in Santa Fe, illustrating varied detention settings.
• Historical value: The memoir fills a gap in literature focused largely on West Coast Nisei experiences by centering an Issei perspective from Hawaii.

Who It's For

This book is best for students, historians, and general readers interested in World War II civil liberties, Japanese American history, and firsthand testimony. Researchers will value the memoir as primary-source material documenting the arrest and multi-year custody of a prominent Issei figure.

Readers seeking a broad survey of wartime policy or a comprehensive academic synthesis should supplement this memoir with broader studies; the book is strongest as a personal narrative rather than a policy analysis or statistical overview.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a rare Issei viewpoint that complements existing literature on Nisei mass internment.
• Offers detailed descriptions of camp life across multiple locations, helpful for comparative studies.
• The author's background as a newspaper editor adds clarity and a reflective tone to the narrative.

Cons

• The book is primarily memoir and does not serve as a comprehensive policy history, so readers wanting extensive legal or governmental analysis will need additional sources.

Specifications

Title	Life Behind Barbed Wire: The World War II Internment Memoirs of a Hawaii Issei
Author/Contributors	Yasutaro Soga; Kihei Hirai; Tetsuden Kashima
Subject	Internment memoirs; Japanese American history; Issei experience
Geographic focus	Hawaii (Sand Island) and mainland U.S. camps (Lordsburg, Santa Fe)
Timeframe covered	From Pearl Harbor arrest through nearly four years of custody during World War II
Primary perspective	Firsthand narrative of a Japanese immigrant editor detained during WWII

Our Verdict

Life Behind Barbed Wire is a valuable primary testimony that should be read by anyone researching wartime detention and Japanese American experiences. Its strength is the sustained, literate account of an Issei who endured multiple camps, making it good value for readers seeking authentic firsthand documentation rather than a policy textbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this memoir cover the author's arrest and immediate aftermath?
Yes; Soga describes his arrest the evening of Pearl Harbor and the initial detention period that followed.

Which camps does the book describe?
The narrative includes time at Sand Island in Hawaii, an Army camp in Lordsburg, New Mexico, and a Justice Department camp in Santa Fe.

Is this a scholarly analysis?
No; the book is a firsthand memoir offering personal observations and experiences rather than an academic policy study.