In 1942, Adams was over-age for the draft, but wanted to contribute to the war effort. Because he was friends with the Manzanar camp director, he was invited to document the internees and camp life.

He keenly felt the injustice of the exclusion order against the Japanese Americans. When told he could not photograph the guard towers, Adams took photographs from the towers, giving away their existence.

A collection of Adams’ Manzanar photographs was published in 1944 under the title, Born Free and Equal. It was not well received by wartime America and in fact was controversial.

He would later say of his work there "…from a social point of view that’s the most important thing I’ve done or can do, as far as I know.”

In 1965, Adams himself donated the images to the LOC, where they languished until after his death.

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Free-Equa...2403281&sr=1-1

- Joe U.