From Behind Barbed Wire to Washington: The Remarkable Friendship of Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson

Marie Okuma Johnston was brought onto this graphic novel project published by the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation. The book was written by Norm Mineta and Alan Simpson, in collaboration with Shirley Ann Higuchi and Ray Locker.

This story is of the public life of Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson, who first met as Boy Scouts at Heart Mountain in 1943. They went on to careers in the U.S. House and Senate and presidential cabinets. Their friendship and achivements inspired the Mineta-Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain. 

Available for Purchase:

Media

Nichi Bei News, “A lifelong friendship forged behind barbed wire”- Jan 1, 2025 (https://www.nichibei.org/2025/01/a-lifelong-friendship-forged-behind-barbed-wire/)

Rafu Shimpo, “Graphic Novel Tells Story of Mineta and Simpson”- August 22, 2024 (https://rafu.com/2024/08/graphic-novel-tells-story-of-mineta-and-simpson/)

Pacific Citizen, “A Lifelong Friendship is Immortalized”- August 9, 2024 (https://www.pacificcitizen.org/a-lifelong-friendship-is-immortalized/)

Northwest Asian Weekly, “Heart Mountain publishes graphic novel about Norman Mineta, Alan Simpson”- July 22, 2024 (https://nwasianweekly.com/2024/07/heart-mountain-publishes-graphic-novel-about-norman-mineta-alan-simpson/)