Asian-Americans in the Old West (Cornerstones of Freedom) [Paperback]

Gail Sakurai (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Cornerstones of Freedom

Dramatic and defining moments in American history come vividly the life in the Cornerstones of Freedom series.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516270354
• ISBN-13: 978-0516270357
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,008,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad at all, April 15, 2001

By 

W. K. Miller "kenmiller32" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asian-Americans in Old West (Cornerstones of Freedom) (Library Binding)

Gail Sakurai's _Asian-Americans in the Old West_ is a good general history of Asian immigrants.

Much of the first half of the book focuses on Chinese immigrants, who were not allowed to become citizens, or own land. Many came to America during the California Gold Rush, but were unable to afford to return to China after the Gold Rush was over. These men were also unable to afford to have their families sent over from China. Later, Chinese immigrants did the majority of work on the western link of the first trans-America railroad, a section which ran from California to Utah.

The second half of the book tells the story of Japanese immigrants, who perhaps fared better than the Chinese immigrants of the earlier wave. A gentleman's agreement between Theodore Roosevelt and the government of Japan allowed Japanese persons in America to bring over a greater number of family members, which actually led to quite a boom in Japanese immigration to America.

There has been a great deal of discrimination against people of Asian origin throughout American history, and Gail Sakurai's book does a good job of telling this side of the story. However, the story is not just a story of injustices and oppression. Accomplishments such as the completion of the Sacramento-to-Utah railroad, and the career of George "The Potato King" Shima, who died in 1926 worth $15 million, are positive elements within the text.

Perhaps the title phrase "Old West" conjures up images of gunslinging and cattle rustling. That's what I thought, when I picked the book up. But the Old West of the Asian-American immigrant was all about working in the fields, driving the railroad spikes, and just trying to make a better life in America, while avoiding the suspicious and racist stare of the white people.

I would say this book is written on a reading level that would be best for students aged 8-12. However, this book is a worthwhile read for any student interested in the Asian-American experience.

ken32