Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams's Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration

Seen and Unseen is a powerful work of nonfiction that combines compelling images of the Japanese American incarceration with firsthand accounts to examine the history, heartbreak, and injustice of this grave moment in history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Chronicle Books

Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
Winner of the BolognaRagazzi Award for Photography
Named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and others.




“This arresting work brings history to vivid life.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“[An] exquisitely crafted, fiercely provocative work of nonfiction.”
—BCCB, starred review
“Ingeniously designed.”
—The New York Times




This significant work of nonfiction presents compelling images of the Japanese American incarceration, captured by three renowned photographers: Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams. Alongside these visual depictions, the book includes firsthand accounts of this tragic period in history.

Three months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an order that resulted in the incarceration of all Japanese and Japanese Americans residing on the West Coast of the United States. This sweeping mandate affected families, teachers, farm workers, and countless others, forcing them to abandon their homes, businesses, and all their possessions.

Japanese and Japanese Americans were confined to harsh conditions in incarceration camps, their futures uncertain. Three photographers embarked on a mission to document life at Manzanar, an incarceration camp located in the California desert.

Dorothea Lange, a renowned photographer from San Francisco, is best known for her haunting images from the Depression era. Hired by the US government, Lange sought to shed light on the harsh realities of incarceration through her photographs. She was deeply critical of the policy and used her art to convey the devastating impact it had on the lives of those affected.

Toyo Miyatake, a Japanese-born photographer based in Los Angeles, brought his artistic perspective to capturing the vibrant life within the Japanese community. Despite being imprisoned at Manzanar, Miyatake found a way to smuggle in photographic equipment, determined to continue his artistic pursuits. His photographs showcased the resilience and strength of the Japanese American community during this challenging period.

Ansel Adams, a renowned landscape photographer, also contributed his skills to documenting life at Manzanar. His photographs, characterized by their sharpness and clarity, captured the stark beauty of the desert landscape and the resilience of the individuals confined within its boundaries.

Through their powerful images and firsthand accounts, these photographers provide a profound insight into the Japanese American incarceration. Their work serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring the experiences of those who were unjustly persecuted during World War II.

This important work of nonfiction has received widespread recognition and acclaim. It has been awarded the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, the BolognaRagazzi Award for Photography, and numerous other prestigious awards. Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and other esteemed publications have recognized it as a Best Book of the Year.

The book's impact extends beyond the literary world. It has been featured in exhibitions, documentaries, and educational programs, raising awareness about the history of Japanese American incarceration and its significance in American history.

In conclusion, this remarkable work of nonfiction brings history to life through powerful images and firsthand accounts. It serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the Japanese American community during a period of immense hardship. By documenting the experiences of those imprisoned at Manzanar, these photographers have contributed to our understanding of this important chapter in American history. Their work continues to inspire and educate generations to come.

Weight: 686g
Dimension: 214 x 263 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781452165103