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Jimmy O. Yang

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How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents Hardcover – March 13, 2018

by Jimmy O. Yang (Author), Mike Judge (Foreword)

4.7 1,624 ratings

Goodreads Choice Award nominee

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Standup comic, actor and fan favorite from HBO's Silicon Valley and the film Crazy Rich Asians shares his memoir of growing up as a Chinese immigrant in California and making it in Hollywood.

"I turned down a job in finance to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. My dad thought I was crazy. But I figured it was better to disappoint my parents for a few years than to disappoint myself for the rest of my life. I had to disappoint them in order to pursue what I loved. That was the only way to have my Chinese turnip cake and eat an American apple pie too."

Jimmy O. Yang is a standup comedian, film and TV actor and fan favorite as the character Jian Yang from the popular HBO series Silicon Valley. In How to American, he shares his story of growing up as a Chinese immigrant who pursued a Hollywood career against the wishes of his parents: Yang arrived in Los Angeles from Hong Kong at age 13, learned English by watching BET RapCity for three hours a day, and worked as a strip club DJ while pursuing his comedy career. He chronicles a near deportation episode during a college trip Tijuana to finally becoming a proud US citizen ten years later. Featuring those and many other hilarious stories, while sharing some hard-earned lessons, How to American mocks stereotypes while offering tongue in cheek advice on pursuing the American dreams of fame, fortune, and strippers.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Da Capo Press
Publication date

March 13, 2018
Dimensions

6.1 x 1 x 9.1 inches
ISBN-10

0306903490
ISBN-13

978-0306903496
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hilarious, heartfelt, and inspiring, How to American captures the Asian-American experience. A must-read for everyone."
―Ken Jeong, comedian, actor, The Hangover

"It's difficult to imagine how excruciatingly uncomfortable it must be for many immigrants. Jimmy O. Yang hilariously chronicles his very personal experience from frightened youth to cultural virtuoso."―Dr. Drew Pinsky, media personality, author, board-certified physician

"HILARIOUS! Reading this book is like sitting at lunch with your funniest friend whose stories make you laugh until milk comes shooting out your nose. Jimmy O. Yang will teach you how to American like a pro!"―Kevin Kwan, international bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians

"Jimmy is not funny."
―Jimmy's dad

"[A] funny and breezy memoir...Yang inspires with his hard work and assertion that the American dream is real."―Booklist

"The 'Silicon Valley' star blends humor and pathos in his coming-of-age memoir, revealing the intricacies of life as a Chinese immigrant."
―New York Times Book Review

"The stand-up comedian and actor, best known for playing the prank-call-loving Jian-Yang on the HBO tech comedy, brings his storytelling abilities from the screen to the page with his debut book. Subtitled An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents, the book documents Yang's journey from Chinese immigrant to television star."
―Entertainment Weekly

undefined―Entertainment Weekly, ?This Week?s Must List?

"Telling Yang's full story, from his upbringing in Hong Kong, to assimilating into California living as a teenager, to making it in Hollywood against all odds, How to American is an easy read. It will make you laugh, but it will also make you think."―Pure Grain Audio

"As the political debate over immigration policy roars on under the Trump administration, Yang says his book attempts to 'humanize' the immigrant experience. It's the good, the bad, and the awkward moments of a new American that every human being can relate to."
―Huffington Post

"Immigrants to the US will find much to relate to...The book is not your conventional rags-to-riches, pull-oneself-up-by-one's-bootstraps immigrant story...The memoir has plenty of funny anecdotes...But the heart of Yang's story lies in the dilemma of being caught between the traditions of his Chinese parents and the opportunities and independence offered by America...It's not new advice: Find a path that allows you to be who you are, not what others want you to be. But framing that message within an Asian immigrant narrative, even today, feels like a breakthrough."―Quartz

"A fascinating peep into the life of a rising Hollywood star...Many immigrants and naturalized Americans would relate to his experience. How to American is as beautifully written as it is funny and enjoyable."―Washington Book Review

"The book chronicles his history as a hip-hop-loving teen in a crew called Yellow Panthers-with photos of Yang throwing up gang signs in high school-and follows his plunge into the comedy world."―Fast Company

"On the show, Jian-Yang ruthlessly mocks his start-up incubator roomies, sparing no elaborate scheme to make them look and feel stupid. But the real Yang is a warm, tender guy, as evidenced by his new book...Riffing on the comic misadventures he amassed while evolving from young Chinese immigrant to stand-up comedian to strip club DJ to television star, Yang writes with an empathetic tone about his parents, his struggles with the opposite sex, and, of course, the lessons he picked up watching rap videos on BET."―Flood Magazine

"Being a comedian, [Jimmy O. Yang] naturally tells his story in a hilarious way, with self-deprecating humor being the norm of the book."―Tulsa Book Review

"[A] hilarious but heartfelt memoir."
―The Wrap

About the Author

Multi-faceted actor, stand-up comedian, and writer Jimmy O. Yang is best known for his portrayal of hilarious intern Jian Yang on HBO's Emmy-nominated comedy series Silicon Valley. Born in Hong Kong, Yang made his television debut on the CBS series 2 Broke Girls and his first late-night stand-up appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, where he received a rare standing ovation.

Other television credits include DirecTV's Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight,CBS' Battle Creek and Criminal Minds, FXX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He is currently recurring on TruTV's half hour comedy series, Those Who Can't. Yang is based in Los Angeles.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press (March 13, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0306903490
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306903496
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1 x 9.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #447,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #343 in Asian & Asian Americans Biographies
- #3,808 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #13,628 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 1,624 ratings

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4.7 out of 5

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Joseph muramatsu

I like this book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023

Verified Purchase

I love this book and recommend it 👌

Helpful

Simona

Funny and sentimental

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023

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I have loved every page of it. I have laughed, I have thought of my experience as immigrant in the US, although not Asian... and I might have contributed to some more sales as several people on the subway, seeing me laughing so hard, were curious to know what the title was! Absolutely read it, no matter if you're Asian, not Asian, immigrant, not immigrant... it's a book for everyone as it either talk about your story of might open up your eyes about all the foreigners around you in your country! And yep, be stubborn and keep up with your dreams, no matter what the others say :)

Helpful

Nick & Yia

Great read & great humor - so glad to have it on my shelf!

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2021

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Like:
Jimmy Yang is one of my favorite comedians, and I was really excited to see that he was coming out with this book. I love the way he takes Asian-American experiences and adds humor to it. This is the kind of book I wish I had growing up. I think I would have found my parents funnier and maybe appreciated some of their quirks. I'm very selective with which books I add to my shelf, and this has made the list. :)

Dislike:
If you've seen some of Jimmy's standup, then you'll find the book to be quite repetitive. Sometimes it felt like I was reading his scripts for his standup, but I'm a writer and didn't mind it very much.

Would I buy it again? Yes, several copies to hand out to my siblings and other Asian friends.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Powerful story, and funny - highly recommended.

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2019

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This is a powerful book, and I found it deeply moving as well as entertaining and funny. My husband emigrated to the USA, New York City, when he was only 12, so I was already intrigued by Jimmy's story. Then I saw Jimmy perform at Gotham Comedy Club, and he was amazing - incredibly funny on stage, and super-real in a way that grabbed my attention. So I bought the book. The first few chapters left me in tears, and prompted me to ask my hubby about his early years in grade school, and his experiences as the new kid, and I think, despite our being together for almost 17 years, that talk drew us together to a new degree - we got "real" in a way I guess we never had before somehow. I think I realized I'd always been scared to go there, to plumb the depths of how hard the immigrant experience can be, how isolating and scary and hurtful. I was wondering how interested I'd be in the later chapters, following Jimmy's career as a comedian and actor, but he comes through with honesty and some amazing stories. I was gripped, and moved, and left really admiring this guy, who against the odds has built a career in Hollywood and hopefully contributed to this country being a little less racist and a little more open to someone with a different story, a different background and a different point of view. Jimmy, your book is dope, brother. Keep on doing what you do, cause you just won one more fan (a gweilo!) Daw jeh sigh, pong yao!

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kelvin F.

Great Story Telling and Motivating!

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2020

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What a remarkable story that really captures the American Dream! There aren't mainly Asian role models in the US that have shown us that there is an opportunity to do something different from what your parents told you. This book has given me time to reflect on my upbringing and also reflect on the nontraditional approach I haven taken on a career.

This book will give you inspiration to see in life there are many paths you can take that will provide you many experiences, and if you are open to them you'll experience a whole other world that you might of never seen if you took the path of the least resistance.

The book really shows you that people are not as simple as meets the eye, everyone has a story and their background and experiences shape who they are today.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some inspiration on how different paths are possible or if you are looking for an entertaining read!

Jimmy O. Yang tells his experience growing up in America as an immigrant remarkably!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jak

No other book has made me feel this patriotic

Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2022

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This book was awesome! Reading about Jimmy's experiences moving to America, and pursuing the American Dream was truly inspirational. He conveyed an important aspect of America that I've taken for granted, which is that, beyond just our system of government, freedom to do what you love is ingrained into our culture. I finished the book feeling, grateful and proud to be an American. The book was also really funny. There were too many scenes I broke out laughing to mention in this review, but my favorite was when he found out that you can get free soda at the soda machine, and his mind was blown. This was one of, if not my favorite autobiography I've ever read. 10/10

3 people found this helpful

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Wayne

Hilarious immigrant Chinese-American coming of age story

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2021

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Jimmy OuYang’s story of how he and his family immigrated from Hong Kong and grew up in LA is the quintessential Chinese-American immigrant story, told through the lens of a exceptionally funny and uniquely Jimmy’s point of view. His autobiographical story shares all of the weird and strange things he’s gone through to be what he has become and he’s unapologetic about how those events unfolded, yet finds comedic elements to each of these well-written scenes from his life. It’s a true gritty story of a struggling stand-up comedian to accidental Hollywood actor story with a side of Chinese-American immigrant challenges thrown in for a unique twist. Enjoyable, easy to read and a good commentary on the Chinese-American immigrant experience.

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Familiar from his stand up

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021

Verified Purchase

I like this book. Has lots of humor. My 4 (out of 5) stars was because I was expecting fresh insights to his experiences. If you have watched Jimmy O Yang's stand up, then you will already know the material in the book. It seems like I've already read the book (because of his stand up). With that said, I still enjoyed this book.

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MACKENZIE

Very good and funny

Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2023

Verified Purchase

It's a very funny book I love it I would suggest it to anyone who loves comedy

One person found this helpful

Jenny5

Recommended! A thoughtful and humourous memoir

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

A thoughtful memoir peppered with Jimmy's comedic style. I didn't want this book to end! You don't have to be Chinese or American to get behind Jimmy's story, at the base of it, it's a feel-good story about finding your way and finding your feet. You really end up rooting for this guy to succeed and he absolutely does!

giovanny massuia

Great book!

Reviewed in Brazil on March 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

The book is really funny and full of experiences of a Chinese immigrant.
I totally recommend this book to who wants to have a great time of reading.

One person found this helpful

J. Monte

Lustig! Leichtherzig! Rührend!

Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2019

Verified Purchase

Man mag es kaum glauben, dass ein Buch eines Stand-Up-Comedian lustig ist? Ist es, sehr sogar.
Ich als Deutsch-Asiate konnte mich an vielen Stellen mich genau in seine Situation hinein versetzen. Leicht zu lesen und sehr unterhaltsam. Kann ich nur jedem weiterempfehlen!

3 people found this helpful

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eureka

笑いながら英語を勉強したい人にもおすすめ!

Reviewed in Japan on July 25, 2023

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Jimmy O YangのスタンダップコメディをアマプラやYouTubeでよく見ていたので購入しました。
おそらく海外在住のアジア系なら誰しもが経験したことがあるような「あるある」を面白おかしく書いており、私自身も「本当にそれな！」と思う事ばかりです。
それを自虐と取るか、ただの「傾向」として笑い話にするかはその人の心持次第。

たとえ自虐だとしてもそれを笑い話にして笑顔に昇華できるのであればそれで良いのではないでしょうか。アジア人全域において自己肯定感が低いのも、家族に「愛してる」と言ってもらえない人種であるのも我々にしか分からないですし、それを笑いにできるのもアジア人である私達だけですね。

どうでもいい事ですが、本の中でJimmyがツッコんでいるSisqoの"Thong Song"（Tバックソング）を私もリアルタイムで聞いていて、くだらない内容を真剣に歌い挙句の果てに壮大なシンフォニーで仕上げるこの歌に衝撃を覚えた思い出があります。アメリカってやっぱり凄い…いろんな意味で、嫌いになれないと思いました。

5 people found this helpful

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