Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
They Called Us Enemy
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
A stunning graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei's childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. Experience the forces that shaped an American icon -- and America itself -- in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love. George Takei has captured hearts and minds worldwide with his captivating stage presence and outspoken commitment to equal rights. But long before he braved new frontiers in Star Trek, he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's -- and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future. In 1942, at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, every person of Japanese descent on the west coast was rounded up and shipped to one of ten "relocation centers," hundreds or thousands of miles from home, where they would be held for years under armed guard. They Called Us Enemy is Takei's firsthand account of those years behind barbed wire, the joys and terrors of growing up under legalized racism, his mother's hard choices, his father's faith in democracy, and the way those experiences planted the seeds for his astonishing future. What is American? Who gets to decide? When the world is against you, what can one person do? To answer these questions, George Takei joins co-writers Justin Eisinger & Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker for the journey of a lifetime.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Teresereading
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

#coverlove
#weapon
@eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
This is the first time I completed a challenge in full!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome! Thanks for playing! 5mo
Eggs Woo hoo 🙌🏻 Thanks for your participation 🥰 5mo
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
JacintaMCarter
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick
28 likes1 stack add
review
Bookwormjillk
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

A graphic novel about Takei‘s time in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. A very powerful and informative book. I‘m glad I read it.

62 likes1 stack add
blurb
Clare-Dragonfly
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Also, I wondered why I‘d never seen the episode of The Twilight Zone that Takei is in. I guess this is why—it was barred from syndication!

review
Clare-Dragonfly
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This is a beautifully told story of a horrible time in American history—and more importantly, the trauma that George Takei and his family experience in the internment camps, and how George uses that experience in his adult life. The ending made me cry, as I miss my dad too. I did think the framing devices with George giving talks were awkward, especially since there were two and they weren‘t used in a symmetrical way.

blurb
Clare-Dragonfly
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

My mom‘s name is Nancy 😄

review
K.Wielechowski
They Called Us Enemy - Expanded Edition | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Reminiscent of Maus, this graphic novel tells about George Takei and his family‘s time in the Japanese American internment camps during WWII.
One of the largest human rights violations in American history, this forgotten chapter is finally coming to the light due to the efforts of Takei and other survivors of the camps.

review
Christine
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

What an incredible book. The art is SO expressive, and the story is just as emotionally rich. Felt like the perfect balance of Takei‘s personal/family history and the American history that needs to be told and retold. Love this quote from Takei in the back matter: “Around the world, the same prejudices and hysteria that we endured in the 1940s continue to threaten the freedom and livelihoods of people whose voices have been suppressed… ⬇️

Christine [which] requires each of us to stay active and involved in shaping the world to match the ideals in our hearts. We are not there yet, but together, with your help, someday, we will be.” 2y
36 likes1 comment
review
bookishbitch
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This packs quite the punch. Not everyone survived the camps intact. While eventually the government denounced them and gave some reparations, much damage had already been done. Splitting up families, deporting Japanese Americans. Some who were 3rd generation Americans! And radicalization of others. If you abuse people eventually some will decide to be the enemy after all. A good look at one of America's giant missteps in history.

TheBookHippie I thought this was so well done. I agree it hits hard. 2y
13 likes1 comment
review
JackOBotts
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
Pickpick

Powerful…important…gut wrenching.

I wanted to read this after finishing Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - to compare true experiences in these internment camps with that of Keiko in her letters to Henry.

Takei‘s childhood experiences were protected in many ways by incredible parents who protected the children. Takei knew that what was happening was wrong, but the parents sheltered their children as best they could. Unfathomable💔

quote
JackOBotts
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

“Memory is a wily keeper of the past…usually dependable, but at times, deceptive.”

elizabethlk This book is so good! 2y
JackOBotts @elizabethlk - this was powerful. I picked it up having just read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Such a horrific moment in American history. Takei‘s memories are so incredibly important, especially as there are so many unable to share their experiences. 2y
26 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
hissingpotatoes
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

4/5⭐ The injustices in this book, both inherently and in the context of continued injustice of the same type today, are disheartening to read. The book doesn't shy away from the unconstitutional, racist actions of the government, but it also has a strong thread that takes hope in the democratic process as it should be.

17 likes2 stack adds
quote
hissingpotatoes
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Our democracy is a participatory democracy. Existentially, it's dependent on people who cherish the shinning, highest ideals of our democracy and actively engage in the political process.

quote
hissingpotatoes
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

That remains part of the problem—that we don't know the unpleasant aspects of American history, and therefore we don't learn the lesson those chapters have to teach us. So we repeat them over and over again.

blurb
Lauredhel
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Hitting the ground running on set two of #Booked2023 with a Wrongly Incarcerated Main Character. George Takei was incarcerated in a prison camp as a child for the 'crime' of being of Japanese heritage in America. A very worthwhile and readable graphic memoir of a hidden history.

@BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @alisiakae

Cinfhen I‘ve heard this graphic novel is outstanding ❣️wonderful choice 2y
Lauredhel @Cinfhen it is excellent - do recommend 2y
willaful If you want an accompanying read, Love in the Library is a sweet and moving picture book based on the author's parents meeting in an internment camp. 2y
47 likes1 stack add3 comments
blurb
MissHel
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

We‘re finishing our library‘s Community Read of Firekeeper‘s Daughter, and already planning for next year! Here‘s my some of the ones I‘m considering for my short list. (Plus coffee mug for pretty!)

review
DogMomIrene
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This one‘s been on the TBR for a long time. While most of the story covers George Takei‘s childhood imprisoned in Japanese Interment camps during WWII, he also covers his adult thoughts about his childhood experience, including conversations with his father. He gives personal context to various historical moments when the US has tried to reconcile with this dark smear on our democracy.

55 likes2 stack adds
review
sakeriver
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
Pickpick

I‘m admittedly incapable of being anything like objective about stories related to the Internment, so to some degree it‘s never a surprise when such stories make me cry. Well, this one did, too. But I think that the way the story is structured to show us Takei‘s experience through his childhood perspective, balanced by his adult narration, makes for a particularly potent experience.

blurb
sakeriver
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Next

review
Robotswithpersonality
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Takei has my deep admiration for a recollection furnished with the facts and briefly lightened by the perspective of a young child, for his touching tribute to all his parents struggled with, protected him from and imparted as wisdom, for his unfailing optimism in humanity and faith in democracy, while in no way hesitating to clearly state the wrongs done to Japanese Americans by the American government during World War 2. Highly recommended read.

8 likes1 stack add
quote
Robotswithpersonality
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Little George! Beautiful balance to the way these memories are recalled, you get moments of levity, bright spots in the dark thanks to the filter of childhood innocence.

quote
Robotswithpersonality
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Today's most evocative phrase: ..."dusty, peripheral remembrances."

quote
Robotswithpersonality
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Re: proclamations that led to the forced incarceration of Japanese-Americans in camps in America after attack on Pearl Harbor.
Just when you think the details of history can't get any shittier.

StaceGhost It‘s dispiriting to know how far we‘ve come, which is to say not far at all. 2y
9 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
erinhannahs
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
Pickpick

They Called Us Enemy shares the story of a little boy named George Takei and his experiences while living in an internment camps.

blurb
BarbaraJean
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

This was my little October graphic novel/comic binge. They Called Us Enemy was moving & informative—reminded me of March. Mooncakes struck the right balance of delightfully cozy & October-y spooky. Chivalry was just fun (beautiful illuminated manuscript-style artwork). Two installments of Phoebe & Her Unicorn were a break from slogging through Smilla‘s Sense of Snow. Finally, Nightlights was light on story, but the artwork was absolutely gorgeous.

review
peanutnine
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This was a powerful graphic memoir from George Takei, detailing his experience in Japanese internment camps during his childhood. He goes into great detail about this period of history and the discrimination that Japanese Americans endured, much of which is glossed over in history lessons. He draws parallels to similar events in recent years and hopes that shining a light on the mistakes of our past can help avoid repeating them in the future.

blurb
Booksandtea23
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

8 likes1 stack add
review
SleepyDragon
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Well written. Incredible artwork. Heartbreaking yet inspiring. Bought this for my oldest, but I probably was just as moved as he was, even though I had already read Takei's biography written in the 1990s. I encourage everyone read this memoir, and others, that deal with this infamous, shameful chapter of US history.

#Alphabetgame #LetterT

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚 2y
20 likes1 comment
review
arlenefinnigan
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This is a brilliant, beautifully drawn graphic memoir. It powerfully illustrates the human cost of an unjust racist government policy, and why it's important to remember the lessons of that today.

blurb
arlenefinnigan
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

#ReadHarder challenge 16: a nonfiction YA comic

Cortg I love this one 🥰 2y
arlenefinnigan @Cortg been wanting to read this for ages! 2y
erzascarletbookgasm A great read, hope you‘ll like it. 2y
arlenefinnigan @erzascarletbookgasm ta, I'm sure I will! 2y
29 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
AReedCollett
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Bookclubs and graphic novels. This month we covered the Japanese internment in USA during WWIII. It is very interesting that many were not aware of this happening until into thier adulthood. #rplbooksandbrews #arrcreads #rogersreads

blurb
Booksandtea23
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

Reading on #comixology

review
LibraryCin
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This was really good. The illustrations were simple, but I thought done very nicely. As such a young boy, along with his parents doing their best to protect him and his younger siblings, he often thought they were on an adventure. Sad how things start to repeat themselves; people just don‘t learn.

10 likes1 stack add
blurb
ChaoticMissAdventures
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

#pridebookrec #graphicnovel week
George Takei is a ground breaking, funny human. But his childhood was not idyllic.
Being Japanese in The US during the 40-50 (and even now) was horrifying. This graphic novel tells of him and his family's experience in US concentration camps and the pain that still resonates from that time.
An important read.

20 likes1 stack add
review
Tamra
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Son gives this one a thumbs up! 👍🏾 I think I‘ll read it too. I didn‘t know Takei was an internment victim until recently, certainly not as a child during the heyday of Star Trek. I bet few knew it.

megnews It was very good. 3y
Prairiegirl_reading It is really good!!! 3y
TracyReadsBooks Loved this book. It‘s very, very good. 3y
GingerAntics I recently learned that about Takei as well. It‘s truly heartbreaking what we‘ve done to people in the name of defending ourselves from otherness. 3y
72 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Sarahreadstoomuch
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Super delighted to read this graphic memoir again, this time for book group. The members of the group are not terribly familiar with graphic novels, but I hope they give it a chance. This story is worth reading and remembering. #bookspinbingo

britt_brooke This has been sitting on my shelf for months. I need to get to it! I introduced my IRL book club to graphic memoir last year with Hyperbole and a Half and it was well-received. They enjoyed experiencing a new-to-them format. Hope your group enjoys this one! (edited) 3y
TheAromaofBooks I really need to read this one!! 3y
32 likes2 comments
blurb
sarahbellum
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

#12booksof2021

Finished the year off with an amazing graphic memoir about Takei‘s experiences growing up in the Japanese internment camps of WW2. A shameful period of American history told through the lens of a child: heartbreaking, but with glimmers of hope and buoyancy

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks great. 3y
32 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Eggs
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

A graphic novel (memoir) of George Takei‘s childhood in Japanese-American internment camps in WW2
#comicbookday #falltreasures @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

ChaoticMissAdventures This was so well done, and such an important read. 3y
kaysworld1 I have been trying to find this book my library doesn't have it and I can't afford to buy it just yet. 3y
77 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
underground_bks
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This incredibly moving and informative graphic memoir memorializes and shares actor and activist George Takei's experience as a child imprisoned with other Japanese-Americans within American concentration camps during World War II. Beautifully structured and illustrated, with clear relevance to similar injustices in America today, this is a must-read for fans of graphic nonfiction, especially the March trilogy.

TiredLibrarian Young George and your kitty have the same over-the-shoulder look. 😺 3y
SqueakyChu I loved this book! I‘ve been following George Takei on Twitter since I read it! 😃 3y
underground_bks @TiredLibrarian can‘t believe I didn‘t see that! Perfect! 3y
underground_bks @SqueakyChu he is such a interesting, funny, kind, and badass person! 3y
SqueakyChu @underground_bks I know! That‘s why I sill follow his tweets! 😊 3y
34 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
sdbruening
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

What an incredible and important true story. George Takei and his family‘s experience in the Japanese internment camps during World War II in America. His parents were so resilient and helpful to others. He has done so much since then to advocate for immigrants poorly mistreated in America despite being citizens or those seeking asylum. The art was really well done, I just wish it was in color too! Very compelling read.

7 likes1 stack add
review
Emily92Bibliophile
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

This is the story of George Takei (yes, from Star Trek!) and his family‘s forced and unlawful imprisonment in one of American Concentration Camps, overall which held 120,000 Japanese Americans and was enforced by the US government, during WWII. All due to mass hysteria and racism ➡️ for the rest of my review, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3069112956

review
Smrloomis
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

“Justice grows out of a recognition of ourselves in each other...that my liberty depends on you being free, too...that history can‘t be a sword to justify injustice or a shield against progress...but must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”

69 likes1 stack add
review
ChaoticMissAdventures
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

Not the happiest of vacation reads, but this is a critical book of America history. Of a time we still do not talk enough about. It is a well laid out book, this expanded edition having many extras like photos of Takei's family copies of the orders that were sent around, maps, and a bit about how the graphic novel was compiled.
5⭐ this should be taught in American schools.

review
erzascarletbookgasm
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

An utterly insightful & engrossing graphic novel-memoir by actor, human rights activist & social justice advocate, George Takei. He recounts his childhood spent with his family imprisoned in ‘Japanese internment‘ camps during the WW2. An important read about part of American history, he even compared current events with his story at the end.

67 likes1 stack add
review
Tattooedteacher
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️So my first ever graphic novel was definitely one to remember. Such a strong memoir of a time I knew too little about. I felt shock, anger, and amazement. The lengths at which a government will go under the guise of securing a nation astounds me. Thank you @Sarahreadstoomuch for referencing it in your #lmpbc notes.

Sarahreadstoomuch ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
Tattooedteacher
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image
blurb
mrp27
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
post image

#12booksof2020 #inspirednewyear #admirable

Book 9. This graphic novel touched me on many levels. It was informative, maddening and inspiring. I‘ve grown to admire Takei even more after reading his story.

TheKidUpstairs I really want to read this one 4y
mrp27 @TheKidUpstairs Its well worth it. 4y
36 likes2 comments