Vea tells Masao's story with such a respectful and loving voice that I felt I had also come to know this American hero and began missing him after turning the last page. Masao's story needed to be told. The U.S. has hidden much of its history, and that of the Japanese American soldier is one of the most facinating yet painful. Vea honors those who fought bravely yet returned home in silence.

Beautifully written, Sandra Vea re-tells Masao's story in such a captivating way that you won't want to put this one down.

Just finished reading Masao. I must admit my ignorance about this time period , short of the what they talked about in high school . This book made it personal and brought an insight and clarity to this era and culture . This will motivate me to read more.

This moving and beautifully written book chronicles the author’s journey to the discovery of a 30 year-old secret kept by a World War II veteran. Masao, himself, is transported back each time he calls up a memory from the past. You feel the agony he experienced as a boy and the rejection as a Japanese-American soldier in the US military intelligence service. The love he found and lost. You are taken through the horrors of war and the secret he was sworn to keep for 30 years. And finally, the recognition he so richly deserves.

I loved this book. I did not really know much about the role that Nisei soldiers played in WWII, but through the book I gained not only a better understanding of the experiences of Japanese Americans during WWII, but an appreciation for the conflict and struggle of Japanese American soldiers, fighting for our country. Biographies can sometimes be mired by facts and dates, yet this book read like a novel, and I found myself looking forward to finding out what would happen next. The facts are interesting and the story touches your heart. By moving back and forth from the present to the past, I not only gained a history lesson, but an appreciation and curiosity of Masao's life beyond his contributions to the war effort and felt honored to get a glimpse into his life. This part of history is an important one that should be told, and I am glad I had the chance to learn about it through Masao's story.

I agree with all the comments. This book was a real "find". Sandra is an amazing story teller. I was very moved and learned a great deal about a topic I did not know a lot about. I highly recommend this book.

What a great story - both from a historical and from a personal standpoint. It is a reminder of what Japanese-Americans suffered during World War 2; and serves as a cautionary tale of how governments can easily over-react. But more important, it is a testament to someone who had tremendous love for his home, his commitment to duty and how love can find you anywhere. What a great read for historians and for those who just love a good book.

Most of us grew up reading one-sided American war stories. However, because Masao Abe trusted Vea to share his experience as a Japanese American soldier in World War II, readers' eyes are opened to yet another part of history that was omitted from our textbooks and literature. This book is beautifully written and shows the love between the author and her subject as well as a unique history lesson about Japan and the U.S. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because I am left wanting to know even more - a sign of a good read.

This is a very interesting book. The fact that it could not be told for 30 years after the war was a pretty interesting concept. You will have a hard time putting this book down.

I got this book through a GR giveaway and was very excited to read it. Unfortunately the arrival of the book coincided with a very busy time in my life, so it took me forever to get a start on it. But once I did, it was well worth the wait. A very enjoyable read. 

The story alternates between a present-day timeline and a historic timeline. I was least engulfed by the present-day timeline, because there is too much pathos in the narrative for my personal taste. 

However, I found the historic timeline to be very interesting. It is a part of U.S. history that I knew very little about. Definitely a story that needs to be told - and heard. So, thank you Sandra Vea for giving me a chance to hear the story of Masao!

An interesting book about a second generation Japanese who served in World War 2 as an intelligence officer. At times Masao Abe put his life in peril as being the interpreter for Japanese soldiers captured during combat or hiding in caves. The book recounts his entire life, when his parents sent him to Japan and his return to the states, his allegiance to the military and having to overcome racial tensions due to his ancestry. His role in the war was top secret and could not be revealed for at least 30 years, which is why reading the book was a joy for me.

The author has written a informative biography of a Japanese American who not only served in the U.S. Army during World War II but also served in the Pacific theater. Sandra Vea style not only re-tales Masao’s story but also gives us a glimpse on how the information was obtained. The story is told in a manner that makes you wish to continue to read and shows respect to her subject. A very interesting life.