"10 New Non-business Books That Will Change The Way You Think, Feel, and Live," on linkedin.com →

By Andreas von der Heydt

"I realize that there are numerous exceptional books. Business books, fiction books, etc. However, there are only a few books which radiate the power and magic to transform us by the deep meaning of their words. Books which pass the ultimate test of being truly "great books" – books about which we continue thinking for a long time after we have finished them." 

Midnight in Broad Daylight... "an evocative homage to humanity and compassionate dignity."

"Book Corner," Minidoka NHS News →

"This combination of history and biography captures the reader from the start with alternating American and Japanese perspectives, a riveting look at racism and xenophobia, and recognition of the tremendous Japanese American contributions to the American war effort." 

Minidoka National Historic Site News, National Park Service 

"Weekend picks for book lovers," USA TODAY →

"From its everyday details of immigrant life in the U.S. to its apocalyptic account of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Sakamoto's epic project traces the fortunes of the Fukuhara family." 

Review, "A true tale of Japanese-American family caught in the cross hairs of war," Idaho Statesman →

" In 'Midnight in Broad Daylight' Sakamoto delivers a moving and well-researched narrative....'Midnight in Broad Daylight' is both a compelling human interest story and a valuable contribution to World War II literature." 

Review, "'Midnight,' a compelling history of a Japanese-American family," USA TODAY →

"This deeply researched and elegantly written history is a rare human drama that spans the Japanese-American experience as few, if any, books have done....From the idyllic world-apart of Washington state to the hell-on-earth that Hiroshima would become, Sakamoto captures the large and small details of the Fukuharas' experience. This is a book that meticulously frames its subjects, as wartime urgencies -- and tragedies -- remake them."

"One Family Caught Between Two Worlds," The Jewish Journal →

Article about the author's background and journey in writing the book. 

Editor's Choice at BookBrowse.com →

"Author Pamela Rotner Sakamoto brilliantly captures the hardships and anxieties of the Fukuhara family." 

Review | 'Midnight in Broad Daylight': War put brothers on opposite sides of conflict, The Columbus Dispatch →

"Without demonizing either the Americans or the Japanese, Sakamoto makes clear the cost of this war for both sides. Scrupulously sticking to her sources, she maintains a discreet distance from the story. By stepping away from high drama, and refraining from exaggeration, she allows the small shocks and surprises, both good and bad, of these lives to emerge naturally. In doing so, she finds a new angle on a war about which it might have seemed there was little fresh to say."

"The Japanese-American Officer Who Helped Take Down and Then Rebuild Japan," Whatitmeanstobeamerican.org →

Also published simultaneously on zocalopublicsquare.org and the blog for KCRW, Los Angeles's NPR Station. 

http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2016/01/28/the-japanese-american-officer-who-helped-take-down-and-then-rebuild-japan/chronicles/who-we-were/

http://zocalo-on.kcrw.com/2016/01/the-japanese-american-officer-who-helped-take-down-and-then-rebuild-japan/

Sunday Book Review, The New York Times →

"Engrossing...Deeply reported and researched...'Midnight in Broad Daylight' not only tells one family's remarkable story but also makes an important contribution to our knowledge of the Japanese-American experience in World War II, on both sides of the ocean and the hyphen." 

 

Review, The Hawai'i Herald →

"A compelling, uplifting tale...fine storytelling and expert research...honing in masterfully on the worthy, human story of Harry Fukuhara and his family. In so doing, she has given historians and posterity a huge and lasting gift." 

 

 

Review, "A family divided by World War II, " Honolulu Star-Advertiser

"Rich, memorable detail...Sakamoto takes great care...an unforgettable and powerfully moving book."

Review, The Dallas Morning News →

"An intimately detailed look...richly textured narrative...A beautifully rendered work wrought with enormous care and sense of compassionate dignity." From Kirkus Reviews.

 

Review, Minneapolis Star Tribune →

"Now that we're afraid of foreigners again, this book comes as a timely warning of what can happen when we give in to paranoia as national policy."

Editors' Best of the Month Picks for January 2016, Amazon.com →

In two categories: Nonfiction and History

17 Of January 2016's Best Books To Fire Up Your New Year, Bustle.com →

"The fascinating and true story ... Certainly a must for history buffs, the Fukuharas' story will hit you in the gut again and again."

Review, "‘Midnight in Broad Daylight’: World War II sunders a family," The Seattle Times →

"Sublime prose and prodigious research skills ... But more than a historical text, this is radiant storytelling, filled with exquisite details....as riveting and moving a book as has ever been written about World War II, made all the more compelling by the blending of American and Japanese perspectives."

"This week's must-read books," The New York Post →

"US-Japanese wartime relations as you’ve never seen them before."

Goodreads Giveaway of Midnight in Broad Daylight →

Win one of 20 copies of Midnight in Broad Daylight at Goodreads. Ends December 15, 2015.

"Don't let fear provoke repeat of shameful history: Column" →

Confusing Syrian refugees with terrorists is as misguided as WWII suspicion of Japanese-Americans.

Read more of my Op-Ed in USA TODAY.