Matsuda's new book

© 2015 Lawrence Matsuda and Matt Sasaki

Since Lawrence (Larry) Matsuda let me include his moving poem, "Too Young to Remember," from his collection published in A Cold Wind from Idaho (2010), he has produced three new books. The latest, Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers, includes illustrations by Matt Sasaki and features an interview with Tosh Yasutake, the brother of Mitsuye Yamada. Yamada wrote the essay, "Minidoka Revisited" for my book.

Larry's book release is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Hall in Seattle. Books will be available for purchase from the Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation. I don't have a copy yet but I'm getting one. The cost is $35 plus $5 shipping. Profits will be donated to NVC and the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Jerry Large, a columnist for The Seattle Times, wrote a piece last week, "Book about Nisei soldiers casts new light on our history."

And, if you haven't seen the collaboration between Larry and Roger Shimomura, get a copy of Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner: Poetry and Artwork Inspired by Japanese American Experiences (2014) available from Amazon.com.