The Principled Politician: Governor Ralph Carr and the Fight against Japanese American Internment

by Adam Schrager

This important biography tells the story of the only political leader to welcome Japanese Americans to his state during World War II, painting a vivid portrait of a courageous man forgotten by Colorado and never known by his country.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2008

Reviews

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book by Adam Schrager. It’s especially timely during these difficult times and it’s a sobering reminder of how too often history repeats itself. Carr defended and welcomed Japanese Americans to Colorado during WWII (one of few Governors to do so at the time) and spoke out against internment camps. Carr never backed down, championing constitutional rights and freedom in the face of death threats and political pressure. It would cost the Republican governor his political career. Incredible chapter in Colorado’s history!

[Kerry Shoji · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because my father's family and virtually all members of the Japanese-American community (of my parents' age or older) where I grew up were interned at Amache. I grew up knowing about the roundup, the assembly camps, and the relocation camps. I heard stories about their "camp" days--they were mostly of the "carefree times" of junior high school and high school days, but rarely of the racial hatred and prejudice they encountered. Older relatives and my parents' friends told of people driving by their house and spraying bullets into the side of their home upon their return home to California from Amache and the town's barber refusal to cut my uncle's hair even when he came in army uniform.

This book puts history into context and sheds light on the intense hatred by people driven by fear of the unknown. It also provides the back-story about what was going on in government at the time especially in Colorado and provides a story of an honest and principled man who was the only political leader in the United States to welcome Japanese Americans to his state--Governor Ralph Carr. I wish there were more politicians like him now (2020).

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. GREAT TO READ ABOUT A GOVERNOR THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF

[Peter Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the subject matter and the thorough parsing of certain sources. That said, I would’ve preferred it to be written more as history and less like journalism. The writing felt like it was tailored to include as much of the author’s research as possible, rather than seeking to answer the compelling questions a historian might ask. For example, there was excessive citation of letters written to the Governor and op-eds in newspapers across the state that were all saying the same thing, and at a certain point it was redundant. I also would’ve personally enjoyed more of a life and times approach, rather than a piecemeal, non-chronological telling of his life before his political career. Finally, it felt hagiographic at times, all the way down to the title (though that can be difficult to sort out when you write about people who really were so principled). Overall, I truly enjoyed reading and learning, but didn’t think it was the best historical writing.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book on a window of time in the life of Ralph Carr, Governor of Colorado. It is for the period of time just before December 7th and him running for Senator. It makes great use of letters to the editor and other contemporary sources.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the right time to read this book. I really enjoyed it.

[John Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched, detail oriented and interesting book! Enjoyed the Colorado insider facts!

[Laura Merrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

ABC book pick - August 2024, Group pick/Colorado history
This book gave insight into a life that I knew little about and a man that greatly impacted Colorado history. Governor Ralph Carr was a man that stood up for what he believed and was a Republican politician that believed in working "across the aisle" to better support the needs of Coloradoans. During WW II, Carr angered many people by standing for the rights of Japanese American Citizens. He spoke against interment camps and stated that all American citizens had the same rights, regardless of nationality. This book was a little long in places, but well worth the read. I'm glad to have learned more about this honest and principled man and the history of Colorado during that time period.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a former governor of Colorado and how he reacted to the internment of Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The governors of all the other western states did not want any Japanese living in their states for fear of being attacked. For the most part, people from Colorado didn't want this either, but alot of Japanese from California ended up here since they weren't welcome in any other state. Most of the book talks about how Carr dealt with this and how he went from being a very popular governor to losing a senate race, mostly due to how he dealt with the Japanese.

In the book, there is a lot of letters that Carr recieved from people telling them how he was going to ruin the state by letting the Japanese in. It made me realize what doofuses people can be and how much they can overreact to things, as many of the letters contained nasty things about how all the Japanese were loyal to Japan even though most of them were born in the United States. After the war and hysteria of everything, studies showed that no acts of sabotage were attributed to someone of Japanese descent, to which Carr kind of said "I told you so."

Anyway, it was a great book.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6

p 58 quote from the 'Boulder Daily Camera'
Gov Carr's record of clean campaigning, of refusing to stoop into the mud-slinging so common in some Colorado campaigns, may well be imitated by future candidates.
I wish all political candidates would follow his example.

Much of the book is about - "The Japanese "Problem"- immediately after Pearl Harbor until the end of the war.

Rumors were rampant, and fear mongering the norm. Carr tried to allay fears, protect Japanese citizens, and uphold the Constitution. He was in the minority and because of this stance, his political career came to an end.

p 186
His words: "I don't insist that every man be placed in a concentration camp. Many of these people are American citizens and you can't put an American citizen in jail for no cause without violating the law."

p 47
Carr admitted that he was "bull-headed and refused to compromise." He went on to say, "Like all crusaders, I think I am right. As you well know, that is the most pernicious form of self-righteousness and I should be ashamed of myself, but again, like crusaders, I justify my conduct."

In the end, Carr was vindicated. There were minimal, if any, problems with the Japanese.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book about the Republican Governor of Colorado during WWII. As the title reinforces, he was a good man that adhered to the Constitution and his faith. In particular, he stood up for Japanese Americans who's Constitutional rights were being disregarded by FDR. Another example of how history is biased - the left praises FDR although he removed Constitutional rights of AMERICANS because of the color of their skin! Meanwhile, how many schools teach us about Republican Patriots like Ralph Carr?

Although Governor Carr didn't only fight for the Japanese, he was also a firm defender ot the right of latinos and black Americans in his state as well. Although his positions were not initially popular he made the case and it appears (he passed in 1950 before the election could properly vindicate) that the voters rewarded him and the Republican party for their principled stance. Wish we had more "principled politicians" like Governor Ralph Carr.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story about Ralph Carr. I wish there was more out there about him. My only complaint is the excessive use of quoted letters and newspaper articles, but I suppose there must be a lack of correspondence and personal papers.

Would have given it four stars but I cannot get over my irritation with Lyons and Nathrop being placed in the eastern plains of Colorado (as opposed to the foothills where they really are). Also further lack of local knowledge/research when the fantastic anecdote relating to William Gilpin states that the old courthouse is in "neighboring" Arapahoe County. Gilpin died in 1894, which means that Denver was still located in Arapahoe County when he was a witness in that trial, not becoming a separate county until 1902. The author could just take out the neighboring bit and it would be fine.

[Kalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** 1/2

Highly recommended to anyone interested in Colorado and civil rights history. Schrager has really done his homework in telling the story of one of Colorado's most principled politicians (hence the title....) and a troubling period of our history. The upsetting thing in reading this is how much the rhetoric surrounding Japanese internment sounds like the anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric today. I hope many people read this book and think about that--we haven't come as far as a society as we'd like to think we have. I pray we have enough Ralph Carrs out there to stand up for what is right.

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a great deal about issue of hysteria in WWII when US citizens and resident aliens of Japanese descent were forced to leave the west coast and live in internment camps. This story, the biography of Ralph Carr, Colorado's governor during this time period, makes the history of that time period live (1938-42). Governor Carr had been poor, a country lawyer, and was a great lover of Abraham Lincoln. He modelled a life of principle regardless of the personal cost to himself in future government work. Those interned modelled loyalty to the U.S. and excellent behavior - better than "white" U.S. citizens.

[Leftylefthandbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolute must read.
Knowing history is pivotal to prevent making the same mistakes. Having lived on a "reservation" i can completely empathize with the plight of WWII internees. Being Japanese-American and forced to move to an "internment camp" and losing your possessions and property and having to start over...sheesh. Reading the story of Ralph Carr and to see in his own words the need to stand up is encouraging.

Read it, share it, recommend it.

I have a copy if you would like to read it.

[Lynn Dolven]

An interesting and humbling review of the opinions and actions of Coloradoans during the late 1930s and early 1940s regarding immigrants from Mexico and Japan - focusing mostly on Japanese-American citizens and Japanese aliens who were relocated from the west coast to Colorado. Governor Ralph Carr was a fearless defender of the Constitutional Rights of all citizens and he paid the ultimate political price. Unprincipled actions based on fear triumphed in the short run, but Carr was finally vindicated. Why does history have a way of always repeating itself?

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ralph Carr, Governor of Colorado at the start of World War II, took a heroic stand against the injustices perpetrated against Japanese Americans during the War. Despite considerable pressure from the public, he risked his political career to speak out for the principles he believed in, and which were stated in the U.S. Constitution. It's an excellent biography about a courageous man who was forgotten within his own state, and never known by his country. A though-provoking read.

[Kent Disch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story. Anyone who has ever thought about running for office (or is in office) should read this book.

It is unfortunate that Gov. Carr is little known outside of the Rockie Mountain state.

This issues and stands that Gov. Carr dealt with back then are just as relevant today. Hopefully, this book will bring the story of Gov. Carr to a wider audience.

[Marnie Lansdown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an important work. In 2013, how many of us can name a politician that stands up for the little guy, protects the downtrodden, and spends as much time talking to small-town farmers as he does trying to get his name in the papers--just because he/she believes what they are doing is right? The book itself was a little slow at times, but impeccably researched.

[Susie Nee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Govenor Carr of Colordo who, during WWII stood up for the constitutional rights of Japanese-American citizens. As a result, he ruined his own political career. I did not realize the fear and hatred many people had during this time of the Japanese people.

[Cymiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great story! governor carr was the kind of politician i wish we had more of today - living by his principles regardless of political and media pressure.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only was this book interesting, it was terrifically readable.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book about an exceptional man governing in a time when the worst aspects of his citizens ruled.