The 1942 Manzanar diary of Robert L. Brown: Owens Valley booster as incarceration camp administrator

Abstract

This transcribed and edited wartime diary of Robert L. Brown-a trained journalist who served as public relations staff and assistant director at the Manzanar concentration camp-reveals the thoughts and perspective of the jailer, providing a window into the views of the local population around the presence and experience of a concentration camp for Japanese Americans in their community. In addition to the heavily footnoted diary, the book includes a prologue, introduction, and epilogue from Arthur A. Hansen, providing context for the journal as well as how Hansen came to transcribe the work with Brown's blessing. A departure from the typical recovered narratives from incarcerees, Brown's diary is a historically significant primary source that provides insight into camp administration and local community relationships with Manzanar and a rich primary source for specialists in the field of Japanese American incarceration.