Facing the Mountain by Daniel James Brown, Read by Louis Ozawa
Japanese American Heroes in World War II
Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens.
Louis Ozawa narrates Facing the Mountain, this history audiobook about Japanese Americans at home and abroad during WWII from Daniel James Brown, the author of The Boys in the Boat. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Ozawa’s deft narration of these heartbreaking stories that shine a much-needed light on the way those of Japanese heritage were treated during the war. The book follows a group of young Nisei men, children born in the U.S. to Japanese immigrant parents, three of whom would enlist in the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and one a Quaker and conscientious objector. Ozawa modulates between hope and despair with the deftness of a film composer, and easily slips into a Hawaiian, Japanese, or American accent to reflect the story. Compelling and essential listening.
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