This in-depth historical analysis highlights the enormous contributions of Chinese Americans to the professions, politics, and popular culture of America, from the 19th century through the present day. While the number of Chinese Americans has grown very rapidly in the last decade, this group has long thrived in the United States in spite of racism, discrimination, and segregation. This comprehensive volume takes a global view of the Chinese experience in the Americas. While the focus is on Chinese Americans in the United States, author Jonathan H. X. Lee also explores the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Canada, Mexico, and South America. He considers why the Chinese chose to leave their home country, where they settled, and how the distinctive Chinese American identity was formed. This volume is organized into four sections: historical overview; political and economic life; cultural and religious life; and literature, the arts, and popular culture. Detailed essays capture the essence of everyday life for this immigrant group as they assimilated, established communities, and interacted with other ethnic groups. Alphabetically arranged entries describe the political, social, and religious institutions begun by Chinese Americans and explores their roles as business owners, activists, and philanthropic benefactors for their communities.

This series takes a look at the different cultures that have helped shape America into what it is today

Describes why many Chinese immigrated to the United States and how they overcame discrimination to succeed in all avenues of society.

This work addresses the historical and contemporary involvement of Chinese Americans from diverse walks of life in US-China relations. It presents perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar national and transnational networks, and the impact of such contacts on Chinese-American relations.

This volume, an introduction and guide to the field, traces the origins and development of a body of literature written in English and in Chinese.

Chinese America - Stereotype and Reality is a comprehensive and fascinating textbook about the Chinese in America. Covering more than 150 years of history, the book documents the increasing importance of the Chinese as a social group: from immigration history to the latest immigration legislation, from educational achievements to socio-cultural and political accomplishments. Employing the author's detailed knowledge of the Chinese Diaspora, combined with her meticulous research, the book explores the history, diversity, socio-cultural structures, networks, and achievements of this often-overlooked ethnicity. It highlights how, based on their current position, Chinese Americans are well-placed to play a major role in future relations between China and the United States - the two largest economies of the twenty-first century.

"In order to help you understand Chinese immigrants or help your clients, Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents provides you with information about several differences found between the two cultures."--BOOK JACKET.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Lai was trained as an engineer but blazed a trail in the field of Asian American studies. Long before the field had any academic standing, he amassed an unparalleled body of source material on Chinese America and drew on his own transnational heritage and Chinese patriotism to explore the global Chinese experience. In Chinese American Transnational Politics, Lai traces the shadowy history of Chinese leftism and the role of the Kuomintang of China in influencing affairs in America. With precision and insight, Lai penetrates the overly politicized portrayals of a history shaped by global alliances and enmities and the hard intolerance of the Cold War era. The result is a nuanced and singular account of how Chinese politics, migration to the United States, and Sino-U.S. relations were shaped by Chinese and Chinese American groups and organizations. Lai revised and expanded his writings over more than thirty years as changing political climates allowed for greater acceptance of leftist activities and access to previously confidential documents. Drawing on Chinese- and English-language sources and echoing the strong loyalties and mobility of the activists and idealists he depicts, Lai delivers the most comprehensive treatment of Chinese transnational politics to date.