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Item - The Japanese-American Internment

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Series: You Choose: Interactive History Adventures
Author: Hanel, Rachael
Date: January, 2008
ISBNs: 1429613580 / 9781429613583 (hardback)
1429617659 / 9781429617659 (paperback)
Length: 112 pages
Number of Endings: 11
User Summary: During World War 2, you can choose to be a Japanese-American interned in one of two concentration camps in California, or to play a teacher in a camp located in the South.
Guillermo's Thoughts:

This book is a mixed bag. It is lacking in the story department since it omits many details about what life in the Japanese internment camps was really like. Gameplay is meaningfully interactive and involving in some parts, while in others it feels extremely railroady. Interestingly, there are some shared sections of text between two of the adventures included. This differs from most books in the series where each of the three storylines usually stands alone. Overall, I mostly had a good experience reading this book, but there is no denying it could use some improvement.

More reviews by Guillermo

Kveto's Thoughts:

This is somewhat interesting, at least as interesting as the subject matter allows. As always, you are offered 3 scenarios, two of which are relocation camps in California and the 3rd to be a teacher in Arkansas. (I've noticed that in these books, they often offer 2 similar scenarios and one different. I don't think it's intentional. But it would be fun to have 3 completely different options. Maybe to try to be a fugitive on the run or something. Personally, I was hoping for a scenario where I could be an actual spy for Japan but didn't find it).

Anyway, the books do have a lot of paths, such as joining the Nisei squadron and being stationed in Europe, rejecting your US citizenship, returning to Japan, etc. But it does get bogged down with facts, statistics, etc. that probably wouldn't be as interesting. It makes the book feel more like something that a teacher would assign to read. Which is a pity because it is interesting overall, particularly if you are less versed in US history.

But I know if I had the option, as a youngster, of choosing Life as a Samurai, Life as a Ninja, or this one; well, it's staying on the shelf most likely.

As such, it might be more interesting for adults.

More reviews by Kveto

Special Thanks:Thanks to Ken G. for the cover scans.
Users Who Own This Item: knginatl
Users Who Want This Item: Dtar, kinderstef, Pseudo_Intellectual

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