In the Shadow of Korematsu: Democratic Liberties and National Security

by Eric K. Yamamoto, David Shih (Narrator)

The national security and civil liberties tensions of the World War II mass incarceration link 9/11 and the 2015 Paris-San Bernardino attacks to the Trump era in America-an era darkened by accelerating discrimination against and intimidation of those asserting rights of freedom of religion, association and speech, and an era marked by increasingly volatile protests. This book discusses the broad civil liberties challenges posed by these past-into-the-future linkages, highlighting pressing questions about the significance of judicial independence for a constitutional democracy committed both to security and to the rule of law. What will happen when those profiled, detained, harassed, or discriminated against under the mantle of national security turn to the courts for legal protection? How will the U.S. courts respond to the need to protect both society and fundamental democratic values of our political process? Will courts fall passively in line with the elective branches, as they did in Korematsu v. United States, or serve as the guardian of the Bill of Rights, scrutinizing claims of "pressing public necessity" as justification for curtailing fundamental liberties?

Audio CD

Published August 28, 2018

Reviews

[Alice B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just history it’s a warning. Yamamoto brilliantly exposes how the shadow of Korematsu v. United States still lingers in modern policy and thinking. The parallels drawn between World War II internment and post-9/11 America are deeply unsettling. Every citizen who values freedom should read this.

[Christopher B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this book delivers an unflinching look at how easily civil liberties can be compromised. Yamamoto writes with clarity and authority, making complex legal issues accessible and deeply relevant.

[Kirk A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most compelling legal analyses I’ve read in years. Yamamoto doesn’t just critique the courts he challenges them. His discussion on judicial independence is sharp, thought-provoking, and absolutely necessary in today’s political climate.

[Norman J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional weight of this book is undeniable. By connecting past injustices to events like the Paris attacks, the author shows how fear continues to shape policy. It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly rights can disappear.

[Barbara L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading in every law school and political science program. It doesn’t just analyze history it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our present and future. Yamamoto’s voice is both scholarly and deeply human.

[Willie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stands out most is the courage of this book. It dares to question whether courts will stand firm or fail again as they did in Korematsu. The argument is clear: democracy survives only when institutions defend it even under pressure.

[Jean E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, this book challenges the reader to think critically about freedom, security, and justice. Yamamoto’s insights are sharp, relevant, and impossible to ignore. Once you read it, you’ll never look at national security debates the same way again.