Writers and historians have traditionally portrayed Chinese immigrants in the nineteenth-century American West as victims. By investigating the early history of Idaho's Boise Basin; Liping Zhu challenges this image and offers an alternative discourse to the study of this ethnic minority.Between 1863 and 1910; a large number of Chinese immigrants resided in the Boise Basin to search for gold. As in many Rocky Mountain mining camps; they comprised a majority of the population. Unlike settlers in many other boom-and-bust western mining towns; the Chinese in the Boise Basin managed to stay there for more than half a century.Thus; the Chinese portrayed all the stereotypical frontier roles-victors; victims; and villains. Their basic material needs were guaranteed; and many individuals were able to climb up the economic ladder. Frontier justice was used to settle disputes; Chinese-Americans frequently challenged white opponents in the various courts as well as in gun battles.Interesting and provocative; A Chinaman's Chance not only offers general readers a narrative account of the Rocky Mountain mining frontier; but also introduces a fresh interpretation of the Chinese experience in nineteenth-century America to scholars interested in Asian American studies; immigration history; and ethnicity in the American West.
#848637 in Books Naval Institute Press 1988Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.75 x 6.50 x 1.00l; #File Name: 087021697X221 pages
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Excellent History of this Historic FleetBy TigerTCJames Reckner's "Teddy Roosevelt's Great White Fleet" is an excellent; short; readable history of the Great White Fleet's voyage around the world in 1907-09. Reckner gives a detailed but not tedious account of the sixteen battleships as they traveled from Hampton Roads; Virginia; around Cape Horn; up to San Francisco; across the Pacific; and then home via the Suez Canal and Mediterranean.In addition to the narrative of the Great White Fleet's journey; Reckner places this journey into the context of both the geopolitical struggles as the United States struggled to emerge as a world power and the political struggles as the United States Navy attempted to reform. However; in doing so; Reckner is careful not to overstate the fleet's importance - an unusual course for an author; because they usually feel compelled to overstate their subject matter's importance to justify they attention that they devote to it.Although this is an excellent book; it would have benefited from at least one map showing the fleet's journey. Also; the author missed a couple of opportunities to educate the reader about the early twentieth century Navy and the customs of the Navy (such as the cannon salutes to colors). Although I am not a huge fan of social history; I would like to have known more about the sailors in the fleet and the actual operation of those battleships.Ultimately; this is an excellent; concise history of this historic voyage. Reckner admirably recounts the history of the Great White Fleet and its impact on American and international history. I recommend this book to anyone interested in American military history or naval history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Richard A. SimsGreat book of a little known and taught naval / political operation of the early 20th century.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Chuck MortonWonderful read about the Great White Fleet.
