The Big Bamboo

Book Description

His marriage plans fizzled, so Floridaphile serial killer Serge A. Storms is on a new mission: to convince the West Coast movie industry bigwigs to do their business in his beloved Sunshine State. So it's off to Tinseltown with his substance-sustained sidekick, Coleman—to schmooze with craven cokehead producers and visiting Yakuza, who are wrestling to salvage the most disastrous big-budget stinkeroo in the history of celluloid . . . and to radically reduce the rampaging population of true Hollywood slimeballs.

Download Description

Serge A. Storms returns!

The world's most lovable serial killer is back, bringing together an Oscar-worthy cast of Sunshine State nut jobs with his insatiable passion for All Things Florida.

During this latest cavalcade of nonstop felonies -- from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale to Orlando -- Serge finds time to resurrect his obsession with movies, particularly those showcasing his beloved home state. And he wants answers! Why aren't more films shot here? How come the ones that are stink so bad? And what's up with filming ""Florida"" scenes in California? Then there's the cryptic message from his grandfather, Sergio, telling him to go to Los Angeles to uncover a mysterious secret from the distant past.

It's too much of a coincidence.
It's fate.

Naturally, Serge, accompanied by his substance-sustained sidekick, Coleman, must immediately hop a transcontinental flight to straighten out Hollywood once and for all. But, of course, being Serge, his mission is sidetracked by perpetual detours to irresistible celluloid landmarks . . . and intrigue.

Meanwhile, in Burbank, production of what may become the most expensive flop in Tinseltown history is interrupted by the brazen abduction of the female lead.

Meanwhile, a couple of midwestern dreamers head west for their shot at fame -- and find it at the center of a celebrity murder investigation.

And even more meanwhile, infamous studio heads Ian and Mel Glick continue to produce juggernaut high-grossing dreck, casting-couch perversion, and cocaine hijinks.

But there's more. Much more.

How is the Japanese mafia involved? The Alabama mafia? Is the castrating cult throwing a membership party? Will Coleman survive his binge at the Belushi hotel? Who can defuse the nuclear bomb? It all comes crashing together in a breathtaking climactic sequence that prompts an enthusiastic Serge to proclaim: ""Two thumbs way, way up!""

So come on in and grab a seat. The show's about to start. . . .

Casting a Spell: The Bamboo Fly Rod and the American Pursuit of Perfection

Average customer rating:

An Instant Classic
Fun, informative book
Marvelous Book!!!
Chasing the Perfect Dream
Bamboo fly rods

Casting a Spell: The Bamboo Fly Rod and the American Pursuit of Perfection
George Black
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400063965
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Book Description

Thirty-five million Americans–one in eight–like to go fishing. Fly fishers have always considered themselves the aristocracy of the sport, and a small number of those devotees, a few thousand at most, insist upon using one device in the pursuit of their obsession: a handcrafted split-bamboo fly rod. Meeting this demand for perfection are the inheritors of a splendid art, one that reveres tradition while flouting obvious economic sense and reaches back through time to touch the hands of such figures as Theodore Roosevelt and Henry David Thoreau.

In Casting a Spell, George Black introduces readers to rapt artisans and the ultimate talismans of their uncompromising fascination: handmade bamboo fly rods. But this narrative is more than a story of obscure objects of desire. It opens a new vista onto a century and a half of modern American cultural history. With bold strokes and deft touches, Black explains how the ingenuity of craftsmen created a singular implement of leisure–and how geopolitics, economics, technology, and outrageous twists of fortune have all come to focus on the exquisitely crafted bamboo rod. We discover that the pastime of fly-fishing intersects with a mind-boggling variety of cultural trends, including conspicuous consumption, environmentalism, industrialization, and even cold war diplomacy.

Black takes us around the world, from the hidden trout streams of western Maine to a remote valley in Guangdong Province, China, where grows the singular species of bamboo known as tea stick–the very stuff of a superior fly rod. He introduces us to the men who created the tools and techniques for crafting exceptional rods and those who continue to carry the torch in the pursuit of the sublime. Never far from the surface are such overarching themes as the tension between mass production and individual excellence, and the evolving ways American society has defined, experienced, and expressed its relationship to the land.

Fly-fishing may seem a rarefied pursuit, and making fly rods might be a quixotic occupation, but this rich, fascinating narrative exposes the soul of an authentic part of America, and the great significance of little things. George Black’s latest expedition into a hidden corner of our culture is an utterly enchanting, illuminating, and enlightening experience.

Customer Reviews:

An Instant Classic.......2007-10-09

"Casting A Spell" is a genuine tour de force: magical, impeccably researched and passionate. Black recounts the grand story of nineteenth and twentieth century American craftsmen who brought the art of bamboo rod making to perfection. With a passion for detail--and a passion for the men he brings to life--he takes the reader through the wilds of Maine, into the massive Winchester armaments and tackle factory in New Haven, past the bucolic countryside of New York and Connecticut, and then sets it all (with a timing that leaves you grinning) against the glitter and grime of today's strip malls. Calling "Casting" a tour de force is no exaggeration.

"Casting" achieves numerous firsts. It is by far the best-written book of its kind. As if that weren't enough, "Casting" certainly is the first "must read" book on this topic--no fly fisherman may claim expertise without having devoured Black's wonderful book. And it is the first book that correctly puts the master fly rod maker, E. W. Edwards, in the pantheon of the greats.

A man who fishes what he writes about, Black stops occasionally to cast his own Edwards fly rods toward a few historic streams along the way (and has the humility not to tell us how many trout he catches). No other book has captured the enthusiasm of American rod makers and their sense of Yankee inventiveness as well. With great authority Black relates the ingenuity of the tackle greats who, in a few brief decades, created the standard that all fly fishermen unconsciously use today to measure the speed and "feel" of any rod.

Not to repeat myself, but did I mention that "Casting A Spell" is a must read? Get it today. No amount of praise is adequate. Black has written an instant classic.

Fun, informative book.......2006-12-05

This is a terrific book. It covers the history and personalities that shaped the evolution of the craft of bamboo fly rod making.

I bought this book thinking it would be informative, and it was. What was pleasantly surprising was how interesting and fun the book was to read. It gave me a real appreciation for the great bamboo rod makers and some insight into their lives. The author's careful research and enthusiasm for the subject matter is evident throughout. Highly recommended.

Marvelous Book!!!.......2006-11-15

George Black has written a most literary and enjoyable history of the bamboo fly fishing rod. Unhurried, with frequent fascinating digressions, he takes one through the history of the development of this remarkable sporting instrument, beginning in the mid 1800's and coming down to the present. He provides much color to persons whose names were all we knew before: Leanard, Edwards, Hawes, Thomas and more. A grand book by a great author. You will really enjoy this book, even if you are not a fly fisher.

Chasing the Perfect Dream.......2006-11-12

While the nominal subject of this book is the banboo fly rod, it's really about art. There are those who can look at the Mona Lisa and be enraptured. There are others who hear a piece of music and almost leave their bodies behind.

Then there are others who look at the Mona Lisa and see a picture not as good as a photograph, and to whom music is basically noise. (Of course to a lot of music lovers, that 'other kind' of music is just noise.)

This book goes a long way to explaining that there's another approach to art. The art of the bamboo fly rod 'casts a spell' on George Black. And as a professional writer he has the gift of words to explain just how it does. His poetic prose takes the reader from the technology and the reknown makers to little known streams across the country to make the perfect catch with the perfect rod. Will he ever reach the untimate? Of course not. Life is a journey not a destination.

Bamboo fly rods.......2006-11-04

What can one say about an obsession? What can one write about an obsessive book about a line of craftsmen who rarely made a profit and were never satisfied with their work?

If you fly fish, read this. If not but you are interested in technmology and craftsmanship, read this in bits. If you are not any of these, read something else.

Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians

Average customer rating:

I'm an Asian, not an Idiot
Good start but too generalised
Must read for any asian..
Important Book for All Asians--Even the Very Americanized
A Ladder Lift for Asian Professionals

Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians
Jane Hyun
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Breaking Through: The Making of Minority Executives in Corporate America

ASIN: 0060731192
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Book Description

You're educated and ambitious. Sure, the hours are long and corporate politics are a bane, but you focus on getting the job done, confident that you will be rewarded in the long run. Yet, somehow, your hard work isn't paying off, and you watch from the sidelines as your colleagues get promoted. Those who make it to management positions in this intensely competitive corporate environment seem to understand an unwritten code for marketing and aligning themselves politically. Furthermore, your strong work ethic and raw intelligence were sufficient when you started at the firm, but now they're expecting you to be a rainmaker who can "bring in clients" and "exert influence" on others. The top of the career ladder seems beyond your reach. Perhaps you've hit the bamboo ceiling.

For the last decade, Asian Americans have been the fastest growing population in the United States. Asians comprise the largest college graduate population in America, and are often referred to as the "Model Minority" - but they continue to lag in the American workplace. If qualified Asians are entering the workforce with the right credentials, why aren't they making it to the corner offices and corporate boardrooms?

Career coach Jane Hyun explains that Asians have not been able to break the "bamboo ceiling" because many are unable to effectively manage the cultural influences shaping their individual characteristics and workplace behavior—factors that are often at odds with the competencies needed to succeed at work. Traditional Asian cultural values can conflict with dominant corporate culture on many levels, resulting in a costly gap that individuals and companies need to bridge. The subtle, unconscious behavioral differences exhibited by Asian employees are often misinterpreted by their non-Asian counterparts, resulting in lost career opportunities and untapped talent.

Never before has this dichotomy been so thoroughly explored, and in this insightful book, Hyun uses case studies, interviews and anecdotes to identify the issues and provide strategies for Asian Americans to succeed in corporate America. Managers will learn how to support the Asian members of their teams to realize their full potential and to maintain their competitive edge in today's multicultural workplace.

Customer Reviews:

I'm an Asian, not an Idiot.......2007-02-23

Let me save you some money...because if you're Asian, you're definitely all about saving money:

Section 1: You're Asian. That means you're reserved and don't like to toot your own horn. Let me tell you a story about Bobby Chang... (repeat 50 times)

Section 2: You're raised to only want to be a doctor or a lawyer and business is only a backup. You should be less reserved, toot your own horn, and find a job you really love *but* that doesn't mean you're less Asian! Let me tell you a story about Suzie Lee...(repeat 50 times)

Section 3: Even though I encouraged you to do whatever you want in the previous section, now I'm going to tell you how to get ahead in business because you're Asian, and that's obviously the job you're in.

I understand she had to make generalizations to make the book appealing to a diverse group of people, but it's so watered down that it's near meaningless. She repeats herself so much that the actual content could be boiled down to 10 pages or so.

Most of book is spent describing what it means to be Asian. While this was done succinctly on one page, the descriptions were then repeated over and over again until it became a charicature. I get it already. It's not like I didn't already spend over half my life living amongst non-Asians and haven't analyzed or overanalyzed all the ways I'm different. Most of my Asian friends are a pretty self-aware bunch.

Where the book could've been most helpful, it was pretty much useless. Instead of giving tips on how to change the habits she identified, her advice boil down to "change your ways," "here are some things you can say," or "this is what I told this one guy and it changed his life." She has a few good tips here and there, but most of the examples she gives of things you can say sound really unnatural and brown-nosey. Her job advice seems geared for some generic 'Office Space' role. In addition, her self-assessment tests provide no way for you to assess them after you've taken them.

If this were a book on how to be a faster runner, it would go something like this:
You run slow. You need to run faster because you run slow. Other people can see you run slow. Therefore, you should run faster. Here's a stopwatch. You should time how fast you run, but I'm not going to tell you how to run faster or what your speed means. I gave Johnny Kim a pair of new sneakers and now he's in the Olympics.

WTF?!

I gave it two stars for those Asians out there who dodn't realize how Asian-y they're being. This book could be a tremendous help to them. It's also always nice to hear someone confirm what you think and tell you how others perceive you. But if you already realize your shortcomings and someone telling you to "speak up" isn't all the encouragement you need to change, then look elsewhere or just skim it in the bookstore.

Good start but too generalised.......2007-01-03

The author has attempted a subject that is not written or discussed widely and the attempt is commendable. However, the book is packed with generalisations on cultural behavior and most importantly does not differentiate between how culture is perceived or received in different parts of America. As an asian who has survived 20+ years of corporate america, I have learnt that the hard way - it is very important to choose a business that openly supports and promotes diversity, that is not the same thing as just hiring asian people or other immigrants. If choosing such places is not possible or too restrictive, then learn to work WITHIN the stereotype, not without. If you want to be 'one of them' in a place that does not value diversity you'd probably end up losing values that you are respected for, stereotyped though they may be - hard work, loyalty and so on.As another reader says traits such as aggressiveness, speaking up to one's boss etc are seen pretty widely among asians in other parts of the world simply because it is more acceptable. Most of the 'negative' behaviors such as cliques, not showing emotion, not socialising etc are simply a result of wanting to belong.
Socialising with people who do not regard your background with respect is very difficult - it is VERY common in many workplacesto be in an all white group and not able to get a single word in (now is that a clique or not??:). AND, when was it acceptable in America to show emotion in workplaces? Please give me a break. Even americans who do so are not respected or thought of as 'not cool'.

The basic advice I have to most asians - find a workplace that supports diversity, if not learn to operate within your stereo type. After a decade or so of experience learn to start your own shop so that these barriers are minimised - at the very least be a consultant so that there is no need to stress over what the company stands for. And lastly Asian values such as team spirit and respect for elders or bosses are not to be thrown away or discarded, respect the fact that you inherited them because most americans are clueless especially as far as team spirit goes.

All in all a good start but long way to go.

Must read for any asian.. .......2006-07-17

Its a nice read contrasting cultural background and biases of different asians, and how that hinders progress in corporate america. Must read for any asian. Few things I already knew having worked for sometime. But its a good review material when you take a step back and rethink the way you operate.

Important Book for All Asians--Even the Very Americanized.......2006-05-30

There's a term for Asians like me. I'm what you call a banana--someone who is clearly Asian by appearance but identifies little as one due to a very American upbringing. So, I was at first skeptical when I picked up this book dedicated to helping Asians navigate and succeed in a corporate environment. After reading the book, however, I discovered a lot of useful material, and I am certain that this book would be even more helpful for someone who is yellow both inside and out.

I realized that regardless of whether I identify as Asian, people around me perceive me as Asian. This fact presents certain challenges in the working world. In addition to sharing many other perspectives, Jane offers tips on how to handle this situation, how to communicate effectively at work, and how to find mentors. She also includes several exercises to help you gauge your interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Finding a job that is right for you helps you perform better when you are there, but it does not guarantee success. Because some Asian values put us at a disposition at work, we need to be particularly aware of those traits and shift gears accordingly when we are at work.

A Ladder Lift for Asian Professionals.......2006-03-09

As the first book of this kind, this book has done an excellent job in provoking thinking and providing valuable career advice for business professionals with Asian ethnic background.

I highly recommend it to any Asian who works in North America or whose bosses happen to be white.

In contrast to other general career books, the book has done a great job to emphasize how important the soft skills like presentation and interpersonal skills are. Traditionally, Asians especially Chinese focus more on the hard skills like math, PC skills, probably under the influence of Confusian. (Confusian said: "A person of virtue should be quick in action but reluctant in words) Jane also covers the major weaknesses Asian people exhibit in North American business. I think her summary is insightful, comprehensive and worth to be kept for frequent reference. Jane also presents valuable anecdotal feedbacks on how westerners characterise Asian.

However, the book is far from being perfect. Several arguments are obviously out-of-date or only true in very few small and remote cities. For example, white people tend to think Asian-like people were not born in America. And Jane didn't do a good job in distinguishing the personality differences and the cultural differences. For example, the author cited that one Chinese girl just came to U.S but appreared to be more American than an Asian man born in America. I don't think it correct that if a person stands for herself, the action should be categorized as "American". it might be more due to the personality.

If Jane had more experience working in Hongkong, New Dehli, Singapore, and etc., she would have noticed that many many Asians have what she calls "American" attributes like aggressiveness, out-spoken, not afraid to confrontation.

Jane also tried to write a career encyclepedia, which was a bit over-ambitious goal. Readers will be better off to turn to other books for help on tactics like interview skills. The evaluation provided in the book is far from being sophisticate and also out-of-date. I will suggest you rely other general personality evaluation to get better understanding of yourself.

Obviously, Jane doesn't have much exposure to the rich traditional Asian literature(like one of the most famous, The Art of War). Some weaknesses she cites in the book can easily, in my humble opinion, overcome by drawing from the traditional values. This limited exposure also prevents her from providing much better career strategies.

Nevertheless, the book has inspired deep reflection and thinking, some of which is already reflected in this review.

As a Chinese immigrant studying and working in Canada, I found this book very helpful for my career. Besides providing ample foods for thinking, this book helps me better align my study and self-development plan. My friends also like it and we even had several good discussions.

Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Scholarly, But Astonishingly Good
Bamboos in color!
An excellent book for the bamboo expert
super photos, great text

American Bamboos
Emmett J. Judziewicz , Lynn G. Clark , Ximena Londoño , and Margaret J. Stern
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1560985690

Customer Reviews:

Scholarly, But Astonishingly Good.......2000-08-02

This is a comprehensive volume of the bamboos native to the Americas (only one of which is native to the United States). Anyone fascinated with the giant bamboos (as well as others) of Central and South America will love this beautifully illustrated and well written book. For anyone who is already a bamboo lover, this book is a must-have. An instant classic, books on bamboo just don't get any better than this. Highly recommended.

Bamboos in color!.......2000-03-19

An excellent resource for American Bamboos. There is not much out in the market on these often forgotten plants. There are loads of color pictures that make the book invaluable. East-to-read text with plenty of location maps so you know where the plants are found. Anyone interested in bamboos must get this resource!

An excellent book for the bamboo expert.......2000-02-05

there is not much information out there on bamboos and this book fills the gap. It's a must buy for the biologist in the grass world. Lots of excellent pictures of the plants and good text to go with it. Well written.

super photos, great text.......1999-12-30

A wonderful introduction to bamboo for anybody. This was my first "scholarly" book on this fascinating plant, and the background material (which generalizes to all bamboo of the world) is outstanding.

So many great pictures, and so many vivid descriptions, and such erudite yet well written text.

Customer Reviews:

Fly-fishing for poets.......2004-10-01

If you have never read a fly fishing book, please read this one! This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I am NOT a fisherman. I am the long-suffering wife of a fisherman, though. I got the book for my husband thinking it was about repairing/collecting bamboo fly rods. I opened it intending merely to scan the first page. I couldn't put it down until I had finished. Professor Soos' command of the English language is awesome. His language is poetic. This isn't a book Ernest Hemingway could have written. Soos doesn't spare his words. He uses them freely and musically. This book is not particularly about bamboo fly rods. It is about life, philosopy, religion, human relationships, and the places where some or all of those things intersect. The book consists of several longish essays each loosely based on Soos' experiences acquiring, owning, and using an antique bamboo fly rod. Soos is an English professor living and working in Fairbanks, Alaska. A life-long fisherman, he acquires a bamboo fly rod from a friend. For the uninitiated, a bamboo fly rod is a sacred thing to fly fishermen. In the first essay Soos explores the power of the rod and his own worthiness to own it in spite of it's dilapidated condition. From the very beginning of the book I couldn't help but be reminded of Norman Maclean's story, "A River Runs Through It". In the last essay Soos, himself, refers to Maclean's work extensively. Like Maclean, Soos' work is full of memorable phrases and gentle humor. My husband loved this book as much as I did. It is the kind of book you want to own so you can re-read it in the spring on one of the first warm days. And every time you read it, you find some new turn of phrase or quirky thought you'd never noticed before.

an eyes-open meditation.......2001-01-21

I opened this book expecting a quick read: another warm-and-fuzzy meditation on the art of fly-fishing, and by extension a meditation on life (and how to live it). I didn't get what I was expecting, except for the quick read part. Frank Soos's little book is actually much better than that. Soos indeed does provide the fishing/life metaphor for our consideration, but he honestly deconstructs much that's held sacred in both. What is the good of this bamboo fly rod? he asks. By every objective measure, graphite rods are better. But while most fishing writers would, at that point, verge off into some squishy promenade through the lore and rhetoric of fly-fishing, Soos deconstructs these easy answers as well. And, by extension, he deconstructs some of the sacred beliefs most of us hold onto because we believe we must. In the end, Soos might agree with us, but not because he's taken the answer for granted. The meditation I expected from this book was one of silence, stillness, darkness, the meditation of a disciple sitting erect and cross-legged on a mat in the corner. Instead, this is a meditation hiked to, stumbled in, slipped across, cast about for, and otherwise sought fully and honestly. Please do read it. Also, I was very impressed with the beautifyl illustrations by Kesler Woodward. They seem mildly incongruous with the subject at times, but close and comfortable enough not to be distracting.

Bamboo Among the Oaks: Contemporary Writing by Hmong Americans

Average customer rating:

A Promising Start
It's about time!
It's about time.

Bamboo Among the Oaks: Contemporary Writing by Hmong Americans
Mai Neng Moua
Manufacturer: Minnesota Historical Society Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

I Begin My Life All Over: The Hmong and the American Immigrant Experience
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Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl's Story
Dia's Story Cloth
Nine-in-One, Grr! Grr!

ASIN: 0873514378

Customer Reviews:

A Promising Start.......2005-07-30

The pieces that are collected in here cover a very wide range of subjects and approaches.

It's a relief, compared to many other anthologies, which try to find an arbitrary common thread which runs through the works of particular writers, or that seem designed to showcase a who's who among the decade's latest MFA students.

Most of the pieces are actually readable, which sounds like a strange thing to say, unless you've been going through a lot of anthologies these days. It's just the right length so you're not overwhelmed with material, but you also get a good snapshot of where Hmong writing is headed, and how good it can get.

Not all of the pieces are perfect, mind you. Not all of them are family friendly. Some come from some pretty dark corners of the human mind, even. But for a culture and a community that is only just now starting to develop a written tradition, the results that are emerging are fascinating.

Some will have very clear influences from other major writers and schools of thought, while others are immensely original.

The great strength of this anthology, however, is that it does not allow you to walk away with a preset stereotype about who the Hmong are. You will see the great diversity of visions within the community, and you will walk away wanting more.

And in the end, isn't that what any good anthology should do?

It's about time!.......2003-05-14

Finally the voices are coming together. For so long I've wondered if I was the only Hmong person plagued with the wonderful ailment of irrepressible thoughts that run through your mind and onto paper. Now I know that I am not alone. This is a great book, and it's so about time, that we produce a book about the Hmong people written by the Hmong people. I highly recommend it. Buy more then one copy, because it makes a great gift.

It's about time........2003-05-14

Finally the voices are coming together. For so long I've wondered if I was the only Hmong person plagued with the wonderful ailment of irrepressible thoughts that run through your mind and onto paper. Now I know that I am not alone. This is a great book, and it's so about time that we produce a book about the Hmong people written by the Hmong people. I highly recommend it. Buy more then one copy, because it makes a great gift.

Intersecting Circles: The Voices of Hapa Women in Poetry and Prose (Bamboo Ridge, No. 76)

Average customer rating:

Framework missing, but Agency affirmed
Heartfelt Hapa Stories

Intersecting Circles: The Voices of Hapa Women in Poetry and Prose (Bamboo Ridge, No. 76)

Manufacturer: Bamboo Ridge Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Criticism | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Part Asian, 100% Hapa

ASIN: 0910043590

Customer Reviews:

Framework missing, but Agency affirmed.......2002-02-22

For the most part, I think this is a very interesting artistic text with multiple strands of critical voices told via prose, essays, poetry, spoken word, visual art, etc. The introduction does not seem to be able to tie together these voices together with much coherence or these female hapa agents' works w/ any theoretical framework, nor do the editors provide an overarching schema that is truly interdisciplinary (even from an arts' perspective). . . Many of the voices are sad, are angry, are colonial. . . possibly tragic. I don't find too many of the voices in this anthology to be particularly redeeming or transgressive. (They are, however, moving). I'm not sure this text is able to challenge the tragic mixed person perspective all that effectively. Nevertheless, I think it's a great contribution to the Hapa literature. The artwork on the cover is beautiful.

Despite my critique, I love the work. I'm glad it's here.

Heartfelt Hapa Stories.......2001-11-06

This book (aside from the beautiful cover!) is filled with heartfelt stories and moving poetry. I am impressed with the array of poetry, essays, & prose. The photos of the authors are very helpful because they give us a snapshot (visual) glimpse of the writers whose voices are heard through their stories & poems. Through telling & re-telling their histories, identities, & realities, the hapa writers that Hara & Keller showcase in their book INTERSECTING CIRCLES emphasizes the proactive agency of hapas, reifies their authentic voices, and offers legitimacy for an identity once invisible and illegitimate. These are stories of healing and of recreating wholeness of identity. I especially liked the stories of older hapas and hapa haoles. We must never forget these stories. Beautifully crafted. I hope Hara & Keller do an encore.

Bamboo and Butterflies: From Refugee to Citizen

Average customer rating:

East meets west
Cambodia to "California Dreamin'";one families' oral history

Bamboo and Butterflies: From Refugee to Citizen
JoAn D. Criddle
Manufacturer: East/West Bridge Pub House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Black Mesa Poems (New Directions Paperbook)

ASIN: 0963220500

Customer Reviews:

East meets west.......2002-06-03

I teach English to immigrants and their stories of immigration always fascinate me. The extended family in this biography is from Cambodia, and they were desperate to leave, as families such as this one were especially at risk of persecution and death for having been part of the more Ã'privilegedÃ" middle class.

It took a massive effort on the part of Ean BunÃ*s family to escape, but it also required great effort and commitment on the part of the American sponsors who persevered in not only getting them here, but in nurturing them once they arrived. Without the sponsors, these immigrants wouldnÃ*t have adapted to the culture and reached their dreams, at least not as quickly or as well. The sponsors provided housing, furniture, clothes. They helped them sign up for classes and find jobs, and counseled them on taxes, education, jobs, and even in dealing with problems in relationships. The sponsors played a critical role in Americanizing these immigrants, and serve as a model for those who wonder how they can help.

This is a fascinating account of Ã'east meets westÃ", with humorous and poignant stories of how members of the family interpreted our western holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, their misundersandings of our idioms, and encountering contraptions such as toilets and toilet paper so soft it should not be used for its intended purpose. When the American sponsors spent time instructing the family in Christianity, they assumed the familyÃ*s conversion was real, based on an understanding of the doctrine, but much later discovered that the Cambodians attended church to please their sponsors, and to mingle with people who spoke English. The Cambodians considered themselves both Christians and Buddhists at the same time, and after years of acquiring English and cultural understanding, they realized they didnÃ*t understand either religion very well.

This book also makes us see a little of what we take for granted in the U.S., our ability to speak freely, to live comfortably and without fear, and to be surrounded by a wealth of possessions. One Cambodian is shocked and outraged, when attending school, she sees the students talking loudly, throwing a football across the room, and the worst horror... sitting on a stack of books and treating them like trash. She had owned one book in Cambodia, and protected it as a special treasure. She saw how American students didnÃ*t seem to want to learn as much as they wanted the school day to end, whereas she wanted to devour her education, learning as much as she could.

Yet there are ways that our culture shines in the CambodiansÃ* eyes, and if we take some time to look at our culture from their perspective, it can make us more thoughtful, more appreciative, and more productive citizens.

Cambodia to "California Dreamin'";one families' oral history.......1998-07-01

"Bamboo and Butterflies" is a biography and an oral history. In a series of vignettes written in "first person" format, it tells the story of the daughters and extended family of Ean Bun, and their fleeing from Cambodia to America. Part one of the story begins in 1979 with 11 year old Tevi. She tells of her memories about the flight out of Cambodia to California with her mother, Mearadey Ngak, her father, Keang (Ken) Ngak, and her two younger sisters, Sampwa Moni (Sam) and Chenda Peach.Tevi relates that "Everything seemed alien: unfamiliar surroundings, weird noises, peculiar smells." The narrative frequently switches back and forth between these first family members to arrive in The States.The narrative also frequently changes the frame of reference back and forth from the present to the past. There is some repetition from story story, but the format works well. All of the family share their relief at finally being safe after several years of slave labor under the Khmer Rouge regime. Sampwa/Sam relates "...I learned fear. Being forced from our home and from the city was a shock...then the Khmer Rouge took my grandfather away." They all tell of the problems involved in being forced to take refuge in a country without knowing the language. There are humorous tales of the misconceptions they have about American culture and society. When Chenda Poong first arrives in the States she can't figure out how to stand on an American toilet to "perform her duty." After several days of doing the best she can, she mentions it to her cousin, who explains the "American way" to her. "My opinion of American bathrooms improvedmarkedly after that" she said! There are many stories of triumphs small and large. As new family members are brought over from Southeast Asia their stories are added.We eventually meet all of Ean Bun's daughters and Son-in-Laws and grandchildren. The courage and tenacity with which all the members of this exceptional extended family work is told with a humble "matter-of fact-ness."! They are not bitter at the past, they are grateful to be alive and have a second chance! Forced to clean houses to make ends meet, A task they had servants for in Cambodia, the women confront the "fantasy versus the reality" of their new lives. "That cleaning business proved to be a valuable experience. It taught me that in America your worth is measured by the person you are, not the work you do." "The gap you perceive between your experience and ours (refugees) is not a gap - it's the Grand Canyon," Teeda Mam says at one point. But they are not hopelessly distressed about the gap they must cross to fit in in America, they are motivated! This families' experiences are extreme by our standards; and so is the courage and goodwill with which they chose to cope.

Sweet Bamboo: A Saga of a Chinese American Family

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Sweet Bamboo: A Saga of a Chinese American Family
Louise Leung Larson
Manufacturer: Chinese Historical Society of Southern Califo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Chinese | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0930377028

The Bamboo Bed (American Literature (Dalkey Archive))

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The mother of Vietnam war fiction
A Forgotten Great Writer

The Bamboo Bed (American Literature (Dalkey Archive))
William Eastlake
Manufacturer: Dalkey Archive Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1564782646

Book Description

Written shorty after William Eastlake's return from Vietnam where he was a reporter for Nation magazine, The Bamboo Bed was one of the first novels to proclaim the insanity of the Vietnam War. The plot revolves around Captain Calncy, who--mortally wounded while leading a charge up Ridge Red Boy--lies dying in a bamboo bed. His final thoughts about the war are juxtaposed against the escapades of Captain Knightbridge and Nurse Jane of the Search & Resue Unit, who copulate in the helicopter--the "Bamboo Bed"--at 10,000 feet, setting a wartime record. Down below, two hippie kids wander the jungle trying to end the Vietnam War with a dream and a guitar.

Both Lyric and surreal, The Bamboo Bed treats with humor and outrage the grim absurdity of war.

Customer Reviews:

The mother of Vietnam war fiction.......1999-03-14

The Bamboo Bed was published in 1969. Eastlakes vision of the Vietnam war is dominated by its absurdity. These two facts intertwine to support my summary that the book is the mother of all Vietnam war fiction.

Eastlake, a WWII vet, went to Vietnam and published some dispatches from there for The Nation magazine. His vision of the war as an absurdity long ago became a cliche in fiction and movies, but in 69 it was a revelation.

That alone hardly makes the book great, or even worth reading. What makes it so is wonderful prose and wonderful characters.

I love most of Eastlake's work but I am aware that his (what I call) over the top style is unbearable to some or at least disqualifies his work from being mentioned in the same phrase as literature. I of course disagree. The Bamboo Bed is a landmark of modern American fiction.

A Forgotten Great Writer.......1998-10-06

An incredible writer, so far ahead of most contemporary novelists, and yet he lies forgotten. This book will last beyond literature.

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