Chinese in St. Louis: 1857-2007

As the sister book of Professor Ling's 2004 book, Chinese St Louis - From Enclave to Cultural Community, this one is the family album of Chinese-American residents with hundred of pictures in six chapters, each with a page orientation after the introduction. She did a good job in researching the first Chinese settler and Hop Alley in Downtown St Louis till 1966 when Busch Stadium replaced this landscape with the progressive development of laundry and restaurant to highly educated professionals integrated into the main stream society in a cultural community. However, she missed out Mr Chan, the Chinese Chief Chef of Trader Vic in serving President Ford for his visit. She mentioned Chinese American Forum is part of OCA, not a true statement. Dr. Ling personalizes the face and voice to the Chinese St Louis who may not be able to do so especially in the early years of bias and discrimination. This book is a respectful and grateful acknowledgment of this legacy of courage, struggle and success in a meaningful 150 years commemoration of the pioneer Alla Lee, the first Chinese in St Louis and subsequent Chinese American settlers. This is a welcome invitation to the city - Meet me in Chinese St Louis.