Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans Au Of...

by Ronald Takaki

Book Overview

A powerful and moving history of Asian Americans that spans centuries, from the acclaimed author of A Different Mirror.

In an extraordinary blend of narrative history, personal recollection, and oral testimony, the author presents a sweeping history of Asian Americans. He writes of the Chinese who laid tracks for the transcontinental railroad, of plantation laborers in the canefields of Hawaii, of "picture brides" marrying strangers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316831301
• ISBN13: 9780316831307
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Book Every American Should Read

This was my textbook for my Asian-American History class in college and this was one I did not sell back. This is a very interesting read about the various groups of Asian immigrants to America and their struggles. This is history you never hear about and thus makes it even more captivating. Takaki's style of writing is easy to follow and never dull. I recommend this for anyone who is seriously interested in race studies or American history.

Great book

This book, Strangers From a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki, is a great book to read. Ron Takaki tells stories about how Asian Americans travel to America, to find a better job. They leave behind their families not knowing if they are going to come back. This book covers many Asian races like the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Indians, Vietnamese and other Asian races that journeyed to America in search of prosperity. As an Asian American myself, this book has taught me more about my ancestors than our history books. If you are interested in Asian Americans, I suggest reading this book because it will make things more clear about Asian American history as well as their hardships of landing into a unknown world where Caucasians are jealous, angry and ready to kill because of so many people taking their jobs. Ronald Takaki describes in detail how Asian Americans had to overcome all their hardships. Like getting false papers, traveling by boat to America, imprisonment on Angel Island, how they searched for gold, etc. Ronald Takaki writes an ideal "textbook" about Asian Americans, but this "textbook" does not seem to feel like one. It is fun to read, enjoyable, and informative. This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time.

Well written book on the History of Asian Americans

Ronald Takaki did an excellent job in writing the Asian Americans experience from the first generation of immigrants to current issues that are affecting Asian Americans today. One of Takaki's aims in this book is to tell his readers the role of Asian-Americans in shaping the history of America. Many, he believes, held the view that being an American means being "white" which is far from the truth.Takaki uses a variety of sources such as personal recollection, oral testimonies, newspapers, court cases, personal observations, among others. This makes his writings very credible indeed. One of Takaki's aim is to bring a deeper understanding of Asian-Americans to his readers. Reading his book enables you to understand the Asian culture, their beliefs, ideas and why they become who they are today. Besides that, Takaki does not focus on only one ethnic group but several others that make up the so called "Asian American" minority group.I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Asian Americans and the roles they played in shaping America today. It is important to learn about different ethnic group as the history of America is essentially a history of immigrants and it is important for us not to neglect this minority group which has made tremendous contributions to the nation and its society.

"What's the Difference?"

A common struggle exists for citizens of America, specifically Asian-Americans; the question ironically is: are we Americans at all? Hawaii, where Asians are the majority, sets the background for immigration in the early 1900's. Ronald Takaki does an excellent job of giving accurate details of the start of early 1st generation Asians.Surprisingly unprejudiced, Takaki uses superb quotes to give opinions and feeling of the Asian-Americans. Along with emotional impact, _Strangers From a Different Shore_ contains many stories, statistics, and laws providing the sense of what rights and true freedom Asian-Americans really had in the land of equals.A well researched book, with almost every paragraph containing reference to many other articles and books, Takaki provides specific sections for major Asian ethnicities, and general details for the many other countries out there. With details of competition of Asian races among each other, leaving nothing out. Takaki does not side to Japanese as the most neglected or accepted, and gives information of the faults of Japanese among the ethnicities as well._Strangers From a Different Shore_ also gives the dramatic accounts of WWII, a strong turning point from the involvement of Japan and its victims. Retelling the involvement of many Asians serving America's army, it also includes the story of the 442/100 and the internment/relocation (not concentration) of the JapaneseJumping to current day society, Asians are still struggling to become part of America. Asians currently battling many stereotypes still, which are viewed as factual information, brings Takaki to dissect some of the newer passive racial markings.I find this book dead accurate, and backed up very well (just look at the bibliography). I have found _Strangers From a Different Shore_ a great read and recommend this book to everyone. It might not provide the same experience as an Asian-American would have, but hopefully all can relate to it no matter what race.

Vivid and Moving Overview of Asian Immigration Experience

Ronald Takaki chronicles the history of Asian immigration to the US, beginning with the first Chinese laborers in the 1840's to the recent wave of Filipino professionals. The book is researched in great detail, but Takaki also makes extensive use of the immigrants' own voices through their writings and recollections to bring their extraordinary tales and hardships to life. Although the focus is on the largest groups: Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos, he also examines the arrival of Koreans, East Indians, Vietnamese, Laotions, and Cambodians. Many of the stories and incidents related are deeply moving. The ferocity of the prejudice, exploitation, and legal discrimination Asian immigrants faced is vividly portrayed. This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who thinks the US has an immigration "problem".