Diplomatic Detainment in America during World War II: A Closer Look at Splendid Prisons

Winner of the Silver Medal at the 2021 Independent Publisher Book Awards and the Bronze Medal at the 2020-21 Reader Views Literary Awards, Such Splendid Prisons delves into a forgotten yet intriguing chapter in American history. Set in the chaotic aftermath of the Pearl Harbor bombing, the book explores a dubious decision made by the Roosevelt administration regarding Axis diplomats residing in Washington, D.C.

In order to exert pressure on countries holding American diplomats as captives, President Roosevelt decided to relocate Axis diplomats to remote luxury hotels. However, this move stirred up a storm of controversy among Americans who were still reeling from the shock of the attack. The resulting cause célèbre became the backdrop for an enthralling tale—the roundup, detention, and eventual repatriation of over a thousand diplomats and their entourage, including families, staff, servants, journalists, students, businessmen, and spies from Germany, Japan, Italy, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Such Splendid Prisons focuses on the stories of five of these internees, who were abruptly thrust from their privileged lives into a world of uncertainty. There is the suave and calculating Nazi ambassador and his conflicted wife, whose façade of charm begins to crumble. Then there is the wily Japanese journalist, a seasoned veteran in the field, who finds himself facing unexpected challenges. The book also introduces us to the beleaguered American wife of a Japanese spy, forced into the role of a diplomat's wife, and the spirited but naive daughter of a German military attaché, whose sheltered existence is shattered.

Living in close proximity, albeit in luxurious surroundings, the Axis power representatives are compelled to confront their true selves and the tensions between them inevitably rise. And it is not just among the captives themselves—rival U.S. agencies overseeing the detainment find themselves embroiled in conflicts of their own. The atmosphere is rife with uncertainty, duplicity, and secrecy, as well as unexpected episodes of lust and romance.

Author Harvey Solomon skillfully recreates this forgotten yet captivating period in history, vividly portraying the deluxe detention of these diplomats and the ensuing public outrage. He unravels the hidden agendas, the deep-seated rancor and racism, and the political machinations that characterized this period. Through his narrative, readers are transported to a time when the world was at war and everything was in flux.

Such Splendid Prisons offers a fresh perspective on a lesser-known aspect of World War II and invites readers to explore the complexities of human nature in times of adversity. Solomon's impeccable storytelling and meticulous research provide a rich and immersive reading experience that will captivate history enthusiasts and general readers alike.

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