Chinatown no more : Taiwan immigrants in contemporary New York /

Since the Immigration Act of 1965, large numbers of Asians have entered the US. Chinese from Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, South and Central America, and Southeast Asia now contribute to a much more heterogeneous Chinese American population. In this monograph, Chen (Academia Sinica, Taiwan) has focused on the borough of Queens in New York City, which has received a sizable influx of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan. Using the method of participant observation, he interviewd 100 households and conducted intensive studies of 20 households, targeting workers, owners of small businesses, and professionals. Besides presenting interesting ethnographic data, Chen also reveals some important conclusions. First, though Chinese may concentrate in certain neighborhoods today, they are no longer isolated as in the Chinatowns of the past. Instead, they reside with whites, blacks, Latinos, and other Asians. Second, although the Chinese have an ethnic consciousness, their affiliations and interactions both within and outside the community are strongly influenced by class. A fascinating book with many other stimulating insights that can be recommended for those who wish to learn more about Asian immigration to the US. Advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty; professional. F. Ng; California State University, Fresno