Customer Reviews

Everything You Need to Know about Asian-American History

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I will not even make a stab at trying to point out the numerous flaws and inconsistencies with this work. It is both facile and inaccurate, essentializing the experiences of Asian Americans in an Orientalist context. You are far better served reading any number of historical works that synthesize the experiences of Asian Americans, including Suchen Chan, Asian Americans: An Interpretive History (Boston: Twayne Publishing, 1991); Gary Okihiro, Margins and Mainstreams (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1995); and Ron Takaki, Strangers from a Different Shore, Revised Edition (New York: Penguin, 1998). As a historian of the Asian American experience, I am dismayed when I see anything trying to pass itself off as the end-all be-all. Asian American history is an exciting field with a number of excellent works by cutting-edge scholars. Do not waste your time on this book.

This book is in a readable format consisting of questions that middle and senior high school students might ask about Asian Americans. For the most part, the explanations are clear and short. I do not agree with the reviewers who hated this book. The titles they recommended are scholarly works more suitable for the college level. This book is a useful introduction, not "Everthing you need to know," as the title suggests. This book has sparked interest in Asian American history and many of my middle school students have gone further to read Sucheng Chan and Ron Takaki's Asian Pacific Islander series, but I haven't had much luck using the more scholarly Asian American histories as a starting point.

Contrary to one review, Novas and Cao did NOT research. There are so many instances of incorrect information as well as shameless stereotyping. I strongly feel that no one should waste their time or money on this bound book of filth.

I acknowledge the complaints of those who do not like this book. It is by no means comprehensive, nor is it a great scholarly achievement. But it's perfect for people like me who are history-illiterate and just can't digest the dry format of most history textbooks. It has a question-and-answer format that makes it easy to learn the history in small chunks. As an Asian-American, I am glad to finally have a way to learn a little bit of my own history. I would recommend this book to those who know little about Asian-American History and want an introduction to the events and attitudes that shaped it, but not to those who are looking for something more.

I loved the easy-to-read style of the book. Loved it so much I've begun reading other books within the series of "everything you need to know ..." I'm a history major and I've learned a lot from the book about all the various asian immigrant groups that have arrived in the U.S. I've read lots of other history books also, and although they confirm the historical events and facts I got from this book, I found that those other books are just much harder to get through. This book is intended on purpose, it's clear, to be a popular type of book and has no pretense of being some type of "major research" book. It's fun, it makes one wants to learn more about history, and so one does. I think it's really very worthwhile. I can read it on trains, in between classes even. Recommend highly.

This is indeed a valuable resourse, an education in easily assimilated format. Thanks to Ms. Novas for such a concise and wide-reaching work!

This books covers the whole range of Asian American history in a quick and fun way while being extremely well researched and deceptively scholarly. If a book can be both popular and easy read and yet a perfect academic resource, this is it. I learned more in one hour of reading it than in whole semesters in school. I strongly recommed this book as well as other fiction and non-fiction work by Himilce Novas.

Wow! I love this book. The question and answer format is really user friendly. It covers all the Asian American groups and gives their history and all sorts of cultural information without feeling heavy. And yet, is IS heavy in the sense that it gave me a very good handle on the struggles and the contribution of the various Asian American groups, as well as all their celebrations, important holidays, legal landmarks, etc. I am half Japanese and it made me very proud of my mother. I am giving the book to all my relatives on my father's side. This one's a definite for any home library. They should teach it in schools. Maybe they do.It should be required reading for all non-Asians as well.

this book was an unexpected bonus. not only did i totally enjoy it, it was a breeze to read cause it's in funny Q & As, and when i finished it (i read it here and there, cafeteria style), i really felt like a whole door had been opened to me about asian american history and asian american life--this is an incredible and great and excellent culture. i was also able to use this book to help me with my college history courses, and even with my asian american friends when i visited with their families. two thumbs up!

I bought this book three years ago, and still I keep returning to it, returning to it, returning to it! Everything within this book is interesting, and has brought such an identity to my being Asian-American that I cannot explain in words. There are many obscure facts, and things to surprise anyone in this book. Novas and Cao did a commendable and superior job. Anyone who reads this will rejoice at such great writing, and such concentration of information. It is obvious that Novas and Cao did their research, and it shows brilliantly. I urge everyone to read this book, solely on the basis of it being great scholarship, and transfixingly interesting. Read it now!