American Grit is a compelling narrative about racial identity, resilience, and heroism. The book explores the dark chapter in American history following the bombing of Pearl Harbor and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066, when tens of thousands of American men, women, and children were incarcerated in U.S. concentration camps during World War II solely because of their ancestry.
In 2008 John Suzuki embarks on a poignant journey to Minidoka, one of the ten former U.S. concentration camps that housed over 13,000 inmates.There, he encounters a remarkable testament of bravery - an Honor Roll listing the names of Japanese American men who volunteered from Minidoka to fight for the U.S. Army, while their families remained imprisoned by the U.S. Army.
Inspired by this unparalleled act of courage, Suzuki sets out to tell the story of Shiro Kashino, a man who was incarcerated at Minidoka and later emerged as an American war hero. Despite learning of Kashino's death in 1997, the author remains undeterred and, with the help of his beloved widow, weaves an unforgettable tale of courage, sacrifice, and love.
American Grit is not just the story of Shiro Kashino, but is also a stark reminder of ruinous hardships endured by over 122,000 victims of American concentration camps while celebrating their heroism during and after World War II.
As Suzuki delves into this profound and transformative journey, he invites readers to reflect on the importance of learning from our history to shape a better future. The book is a tribute to Shiro, Louise, and all of the heroes of the era whose stories of courage and resilience inspire us to honor the past by educating the future.
