Asian American Studies Resource Guide: Reference Works

"Was it "military necessity," as the order invoked-or simply racism? Okihiro (international and public affairs, Columbia Univ.) makes a compelling case for the latter in this reference collecting topical, event, and biographical entries related to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The work is supplemented by a host of primary source materials, including the heartbreaking photographs of the camps and testimony of internees at hearings leading to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, in which a formal apology was issued. A chronology is provided. VERDICT A critical compendium documenting a shameful, often overlooked part of World War II history." (Library Journal review)

"...the stated focus is American and Canadian authors of Asian descent from the 1890s to 2007. The majority of the entries are biographical, with some that cover concepts and ideas. Each of the three volumes contains complete lists of entries and topics in thematic groups. The comprehensive index and general bibliography are only in the third volume, which also contains information about the editor and contributors. The writers have roots in Afghanistan, China, Hawaii, Japan, India, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and elsewhere. Most of the biographical entries are between two and four pages long and contain not only the standard personal facts but also information on the subject's life as a writer and some critical commentary on major works." (Booklist review)

Contains biographies of Asian American writers. Includes bibliographies and illustrations. Part of the well-respected Dictionary of Literary Biography series.

"...begins with a section titled "Asian American Experience" (92 pages), followed by sections divided by "nationality," e.g., the "Bangladeshi American Experience." Whereas sections for nationality range geographically from Pakistan to Japan and include the Pacific Islands, those for Chinese Americans (131 pages plus 19 pages for "Taiwanese Americans"), Japanese Americans (104 pages), Filipino Americans (58 pages), and Indian Americans (55 pages) predominate... For the larger groups, the essay is followed by important entries for that community, e.g., on laws, personalities, organizations, subjects (such as religion and immigration), and issues. Complementing the entries are a list of topics, a list of contributors (identified by institution only), and a detailed 42-page index." (CHOICE magazine review)

"Issues impacting Asian Americans as a conglomerate group are considered, as well as those confronting significant subgroups, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean Americans along with more recently arrived populations from Southeast Asia (Vietnamese and Cambodian, Hmong and Thai, for example). The volumes are divided into thematic sections: Diversity and Demographics ; Economy and Work ; Education ; Health ; Identity ; Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship ; Law ; Media ; Politics ; War ; and Youth, Family, and the Aged. Each section begins with an overview essay that is followed by highly readable A-Z articles on significant subtopics." (Booklist review)

"...contains 152 original essays (about 8,000-12,000 words each) on specific minority and ethnic groups in the U.S., with an emphasis on culture (religions, holidays, customs, language) in addition to information on historical background and settlement patterns." (Syndetics summary.)

"Odo's unique work brings together a fascinating collection of varied primary source documents relevant to Asian American history and to broader racial and ethnic issues in the US. Materials include reproductions of 19th-century political cartoons from US magazines, sheet music for popular songs from the 19th century through the 1970s, and the texts of numerous important federal laws, Supreme Court case decisions, and lesser-known state legislation and case decisions." (CHOICE magazine review.)