Celebrating the humanities

COEUR d'ALENE — In the wake of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, young American men were called to action to enlist in the military to protect their country.

Daniel James Brown, author of the true story of a rowing team that competed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, "The Boys in the Boat," captured another true tale of heroism in "Facing the Mountain," which tells the stories of young Japanese-American heroes whose lives at home and on the battlefield were forever changed following that Day of Infamy.

"People often ask me how it is that I came to write a book about four young Japanese-American men after writing a book about rowing," Brown said Friday night as he delivered the 18th annual North Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"In many ways, it's a similar story. 'The Boys in the Boat' celebrates these young men from the Depression and all they went through and all they represented," he said. "'Facing the Mountain' really celebrates some of those same ideals, again, by telling the personal stories of young men who strove to realize the best in themselves and the effect that their efforts had on them and the lives of their families."

He said the stories share similarities. The fascism and Nazism was symbolic in "The Boys in the Boat," he said.

"The story in 'Facing the Mountain' is really about actual conflict about actually fighting Nazis on the ground, and also fighting injustice in courtrooms across the country," Brown said. "We're talking about a much more intense kind of competition here, if you will."

Brown shared with the audience of more than 500 guests how he came to chronicle the stories, know the families and tell the heroic acts of the four war heroes who literally and figuratively faced a mountain as they served their country in World War II — at the same time their country was forcing their families into internment camps.

At a reception at the Art Spirit Gallery prior to the dinner, Brown shared his deep love of the humanities and appreciation for those who stand up for them.

"As you know, the humanities are under assault to a large extent in large parts of the country in a pretty unprecedented way, and I personally am quite upset and concerned about that," he said. "I think organizations like this that stand up and protect and advocate for the humanities are super, super important."

The Idaho Humanities Council, a nonprofit dedicated to serving Idaho citizens by promoting greater public awareness, appreciation and understanding of the humanities, is celebrating 50 years this year.

Visit danieljamesbrown.com for more about Brown. Go to idahohumanities.org about the Idaho Humanities Council.