08 May / The Chinese in America: A Narrative History by Iris Chang [in Christian Science Monitor]
In the final chapter of The Chinese in America, Iris Chang writes, “I can only close this book with a fervent hope: that readers will recognize the story of my people – the Chinese in the United States – not as a foreign story, but as a quintessentially American one.” Indeed, covering the huge expanse of almost two centuries, Chang’s story offers a thought-provoking overview of how the Chinese have been an integral part of American history – that in fact, the country as we know it could not possibly exist without the participation and contributions of Americans of Chinese descent.
“There is nothing inherently alien about the Chinese-American experience,” writes Chang, best known for her 1997 international bestseller, The Rape of Nanking. “Chinese shared the same problems as all other immigrants – universal problems that recognized no borders.”
Chang carefully traces the evolution of this American people through an interwoven history of both China and the United States, including written memoirs and recorded oral histories, countless interviews, and pieces from her own family’s narrative. …[click here for more]
Review: Christian Science Monitor, May 8, 2003
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2003
This is absolutely the BEST narrative of the Chinese American experience ever written. I first read it several years ago and still reread it regularly. I bought each of my 3rd generation CA kids a copy for their libraries. She was literally telling me of my history and heritage is this book. She taught me a great lesson in what it means to be Chinese American. We lost a great talent when she passed on.
Thanks, as always, for visiting. You MUST be this blog’s best fan!
Indeed, we lost a mightly talent when Iris Change passed on … I don’t know you saw my post that includes both an interview with Iris (how lucky was I to actually get to spend some livetime on the phone with her?), and a tribute to her after getting the tragic news of her death … if you want to check it out, the link is at http://bookdragon.si.edu/2003/09/01/author-interview-iris-chang/, or you can just put in “Iris Chang” in the Search box at the top of the page and it should come up.
Thanks, as always, for sharing your comments!