Hmong American Books

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.

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?

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.

Grandfather's Story Cloth is a bilingual English/Hmong picturebook about a young Hmong-American boy named Chersheng, whose grandfather has Alzheimer's disease; sometimes Chersheng's grandfather doesn't know where he is. But Chersheng's mother shows Chersheng a story cloth, stitched with care and embroidered in the Hmong tradition by his grandfather. Through the cloth, Chersheng learns of his grandfather's memories of life in Laos. Inspired by the cloth and his Grandfather's stories of how life was before war forced him to come to America, Chershing embarks on his own art project, as a means of expressing love stronger than a disease that attacks and destroys memory itself. A profound story, warmly illustrated and highly recommended especially for children's library collections.

A Hmong family who fled Laos after the Vietnam War in Southeast Asia and Alzheimer's disease which can afflict the elderly of any race are brought together. The young boy Chersheng is confused and saddened over his grandfather forgetting small things. In one incident, Chersheng's blanket becomes soaked when the bathroom sink overflows after the grandfather forgets to turn off the water. Another time, the grandfather forgets Chersheng's name.

Chersheng sees the chance to reconnect with his grandfather again and involve him in the family when his mother gives him a story cloth the grandfather had made as a way to record the time before the family came to America. The Hmong people made such colorful woven story cloths to sell some of them to raise money to emigrate to America and get settled there.

Chersheng gets the idea to make a story cloth of his own. When Chersheng shows it to his grandfather, the cloth awakens memories of his past. He recognizes photographs of family members, and he points out the family's present house and vegetable garden in Chersheng's story cloth. The grandfather does remember important parts of the family's past and present, and his memories have a part in the family's unity and future.

This book was labeled for children but it packs so much in it that all ages will enjoy and benefit. I am in my upper 40 and I read every page carefully. As I get older, I come to appreciate and respect my Hmong heritage.
I feel humble of how numerous authors (not of Hmong heritage) want to preserve our stories by putting them in writing (for whatever reason that drew them to do it). I have observed that many Hmong who want to preserve our ways but don't know how to write and those that are able to write seem to have no time or passion.
One of the surprising things that the author told in the story was that the grandfather sew paj ndaub. Though, paj ndaub was traditionally the work of women/girls, it was not uncommon for Hmong men to be very good at it as well especially in the refugee camp experience where the men found few things to do to fill their time. In addition, one of my uncles was famous for making the tab (the woman dress of the Blue Hmong). If one knows how complex, intricate, and the skills with great patience require in making such a masterpiece, one would appreciate its art.
I love the flashbacks, which the narrator tells each time Kia encounters a situation in her new home in Minnesota that caused her to make the comparison. Our experience, whether good or bad, becomes an integral part of who we are.
A great lesson for us all is that we need one another. We all need a little lift in some point in our lives like Kia, Hank, and especially Sam (at the end of the story). The author did not mention the presence of a dad in the Hank & Sam household, so I can only assume that Hank is a single mom raising a special-need son. While Donald Trump or Bill Gates may not need Kia and grandpa's help but for people like Kia, grandpa, Hank, and Sam and the rest of us need each other (no matter what heritage they're from). There is a Hmong song that part of it says, "...the poor lift the orphaned..." It seems that the majority of the rich is so busy getting richer and forget the one important thing that defines the true humanity of the human race--recognizing and aiding those who truly need it.
"...Kia would smile, not because she understood what was funny, but because these good neighbors made her happy with their joyous and quick laughter." I have found that Americans are the most cheerful of all peoples. I watched the summer Olympic on TV not long ago and I could tell which athlete is an American and which is not just by the sense of freedom and joy in their eyes.
It was also interesting that the author chose poker (why not gang, drugs, etc.), which got Xigi into trouble. I understand that casino gambling problem is rampant among the Hmong population in St. Paul/Minneapolis and surrounding. I believe the author wants us to learn a lesson here. It may be too late for the older people that are addicted to gambling and they may have to hit bottom before they "wake up" but our children must be taught that making an honest living by honest and hard work is the surest thing in life and gambling hoping for quick riches only bring despair and disappointment.
What a story beautifully and compassionately told! Thank you, Jackie Brown, for telling our story so well. I am inspired now to write my own story (for my children). It is my intention to make my spouse and all my children to read this book as well.
Khoua|

For a girl of twelve Kia has been through much in her short life. She has experienced the horrors of war, the confinements of a refugee camp, and the sorrow of leaving loved ones behind to travel to a distant and very different country. Here she discovers that by trusting others she is better able to adjust to her new life, and is soon able to help her grandfather adjust as well. Author, Jackie Brown weaves a thoughtful historical fiction that is as beautiful as the stories told by Grandfather's pa ndau (Hmong embroidered story cloths).

This is a detailed and fair review of what happened in Laos during the Vietnam War and the effect of National policy on separate people

This is a documentary about unsung heros who paid a deal price working for the Americans from the 40s and on. They were being hired to stop communism working with the French in the 40-50s. As the tide of North Vietnamese infiltration into South Vietnam turned, Vang Pao, a former French colonial officier was put in charge of covert operations working for CIA in the little known secret war in Laos. The book went into details on how much sacrifice the Hmong people made to please Americans.
They gave up just about everything to wage an American war and learned their American sponsors who abandoned them after 1975. Similar to CIA's involvement in Cuba the Hmong fighters who were abandoned had to flee their country. This time they had to accept either slughter or content with refugee camp life in Thailand. The author, Jane Hamilton-Merritt, produced horror pictures and sketches of the effect of chemical-biological toxins on the people and the atrocities committed by the communists. Through some unorganized chapters Jane lost her enthusium and called it quits up to 1992. This may be the weakest part of the fine documentary.

As more and more Hmong immigrants are leaving the refugee camps and re-settled in many parts of the world, we need to understand their heritage and believes. Unlike the Indo-chinese refugees coming into the US who are mostly city dwellers, the Hmong have for 4,000 years able to attain a certain degree of identity/freedom. This is in a way like the Native Americans who do not wish to be fully assimilated. We need to respect and help the Hmong people by not imposing the same attitude as we have done on other immigrants. We also need to understand the cultural and habits of those who fought so hard for the Americans. Unlike other enthnic cultures, this is a hard to find book on the war history of Hmong people in Laos.

this book has some truth...but woopti doo... anyone can research...but until you were actually there...you'll never know.
If you are Hmong and you read hamiltons book and you beleive all that is said, you need help....HA just kidding... but you do need to go to a HMONG SOURCE, someone that was there, fighting in the war, and leading the Hmong people to freedom, to find out what really happened, not rely on someone who wants to make a buck off our culture. Please do not think i'm trying to sound better than anyone, all i'm saying is that the world deserves to know the truth about the Hmongs and how MAJORLY significant we were to the "war". We have been sworn in as an ethnic group recently, but now we also need to map the Hmong into American History for all to learn about. This is not about Hmong pride, this is about education...Again, this book has some truth... but...stay tuned and the truth will soon be out.

THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS" GIVES ME AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY IN THE PAST. ALSO, A REASON WHY HMONG WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE SHADOWS BECAUSE THEY HAD MADE LOAS A HISTORY BY JOINED WITH THE AMERICANS TO FOUGHT AGANIST COMMUNIST. IT INSPIRED ME IN MANY WAYS WHICH I CAN NOT EXPLAIN BUT WITH TEARS AND FEARS. NOW THAT THE HISTORY IS TOLD IN THE BOOK "TRAGIC MOUNTAINS," I FELT THAT IT IS MY DESTINATION TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA. "BY MAKING A DIFFERANCE IN AMERICA, IT WILL BECAME PART OF OUR HISTORY," SAID NELSON NAGAI.

As will be established by many other reviewers, there ARE some significant points of contention, particularly regarding the Yellow Rain element of the book and the occasional heavy-handed romanticizing of the Hmong. But these are not enough to totally undermine the value of the book.

By and large, it really tells a deeply engaging story about the Hmong and should be considered one of the essential reads on the matter.

Considering the large lack of material on the Hmong prior to this book, it is an important step.

One might want to compare it to Backfire/Shooting At the Moon by Warner in particular, or even The Ravens / Air America by Robbins. Another good text to have on hand is Sky Is Falling by Morrisson.

We should all still be waiting for the great Hmong account of the war in Laos from their own perspective however. That should make fascinating reading.

Shea had visited a refugee camp in Thailand in 1989 and acknowledged many people in helping her form the characters and traditions of the Hmong people. For the women in this book, the center of the Hmong tradition is the pa'ndau, or storycloth. There is a custom of making, and a custom of wearing, pa'ndau. It is a vivid reminder of so many things uniquely "Hmong." The story within the cloth shows Hmong history, the style of stitches show of the care and pride that goes into each item, the type of item signifies the occasion - a sash for New Year's Day, a burial collar, a splendid vest - these all represent a long and valued ethnic heritage.
What does it mean to be Hmong? Different things to different people. On one hand you have new waves of immigrants that want hold on stronger to their native culture because they have witnessed so much destruction of their personal history. They don't want to see their traditions die. Another group may not value their cultural history as much and is more willing to embrace change. They have been immersed at a young age into a society so different from what they remember; their homeland may seem more like a distant dream to them. It is a very individual experience, and Shea does a good job at giving us a peek into various stages of immigrant adjustment.

This book is about a Hmong girl struggling to fit in the new American culture, with strange foods like pizza and giant shopping malls all around. Her grandma is very doubtful of this new culture and many times wishes for her old life. As their time in America passes, secrets are revealed and her destiny in America unfolds.

This book is a great read for teenagers and young students, the story line allows young readers to relate to the character, so they can understand her feelings. It has an interesting Introduction to the book when they describe the conditions and scenery in the Hmong holding camps. Throughout the book the young girl tries to adapt to the modern culture. The difficulties she has in separating her time with her old culture and the new one is thrilling. The progress of her relationship with her grandmother rollercoaster's over her travel to America, This allows the teen reader to compare it with a relationship they may have with a parent or family member, this provides an excellent experience for the reader and future entertainment throughout the book.

The downfalls of this book is that there is no in depth information about the Hmong culture, it focuses more on a average girl's life than the Hmong traditions and way's of the people. In the book the life of the girl before America is brief and that is one of the important details for a reader who is trying to learn anything they can about the Hmong. The reading level for this book is also very limited, this book is only a good read for children between the ages of eleven and thirteen. Anyone older will have trouble being entertained because all the characters have basic backgrounds and the plot is extremely typical.

I recommend this book to a teen in middle school. Overall it is a catchy book yet it lacks concrete information about the Hmong people and their history.

This book really made me understand what it was like during the war. I felt very bad for the girl in the refugee camp and then when she got to America her cousins acted strange. I would recommend this book to every girls/women everywhere.

This book is actually a very good book because for me, it succeeds in portraying what the author wants to reveal. It makes you understand how an immigrant, has to deal with different issues involving coming to America and learning new customs and beliefs. It deals with issues teenagers are faced with right now everywhere in the world, and how immigrants from other countries look upon these actions.
This book taught me a lot of different things about Hmong cultures and customs and how people lived in camps. It showed the differences between living styles here and there and how much of a change Mai and her grandmother had to do before adapting to the living environment here. It conveyed all the struggles needed to overcome such a change and how adapting to a place could take time, whether you are an adult or a child. Things and aspects that we find normal and understandable seem different and abnormal to outsiders. It is hard to change when you don't know or understand why you are changing or what you are changing too.
I could relate to some of the things and situations Mai had to go through. Although I am not an immigrant and I have lived here all my life, there are certain situations you are put in where you don't want to be. In Mai's case, she didn't know what was happening but teenagers everyday are faced with issues that may affect their life. I know a lot of people who drink although they are underage, and even though I don't do it, it's hard to watch them throw away their lives without caring. When you care about a person a lot, it becomes difficult to watch them suffer or know that there will be consequences to the decisions they chose to make.
It wasn't always the kids who had a hard time adapting. In this case, it was more of the elder. Like any elders, making a change after so long is very hard, not only because you are older, but because you have been living a certain way for so long. It is hard to change the ways you live after living that way for your whole life. These are some aspects that the author successfully portrayed to me about how difficult it was to not only move here and change their customs and beliefs, but to adapt to new ones as well.
Although this book did succeed in portraying a lot of things to me, there were some stereotypical ideas. The way Americans were portrayed seemed a little bit of a stereotype in my opinion. Their behaviors, decisions and appearances seemed like what people thought of Americans, not what is really true. This was really the only thing that I didn't agree and didn't like about this author's story.
Something that I liked a lot about this book was the author's writing style. I was never confused while reading the book and never lost as to where I was. However, there were some parts that kind of confused me but only because some words were in Hmong, but there was a Hmong short glossary in the back of the book, which helped me understand the words. Otherwise, the writing and plot of the story made sense to me. It actually really helped me because I was always engaged in the story and there was never a dull moment while reading this book.
I would recommend this book to people because it is not only an interesting book, but it also teaches the reader a lot about Hmong cultures. The reader will learn a lot about how immigrants from other countries have to learn to adapt to new environments. It will teach them that things that we think are okay or normal, other people might not and that is not a bad thing. Every person is entitled to their own opinions and culture and because people aren't all raised the same ways, they have different goals and mind sets. This book is a great way for readers to realize the hardships the Hmong had to go through and be able to relate and understand their journey.

This book was very good. I believe it to be accurate and without any faults. Now, for the woman who said that the spelling in the book of Hmong words was wrong, please let me out in my opinion......if you look in the back of the book at the glossary, the author does say when she abbreviates words (for example pan'dau is really panjdau)so they aren't really mispelled! This book is good for people interested in immigration, or the Oreint, but should be read by Young Adults because there is mentioning of rape and menstrauting.

Okay. I don't like reading history books. But this is one book that you really need to check out. It isn't boring and if you are like me -- a Hmong American (of the newer generation obviously) and oblivious to the old generation and lacking in appreciation or knowledge of your background (if you are hmong) this is one awesome book that will set the records straight.

As for those who are just really interested.. well! This will reveal what most of the population don't know about the hmong; their brief history of where they are originally believed to be from up to their involvement in the vietnam war as to where they are now and some cultural background, too. This is a really awesome book compared to most books written about the hmong people that i've gone through.

Highly Recommended.

It is unfortunate that there is no good history of the Hmong published in any Western language. Keith Quincy must be commended on his effort, but it is disappointing. He is not a professional historian. The first chapter in particular, ostensibly dealing with the Hmong experience in China, shows his unfamiliarity with Chinese history and inability to use Chinese sources. (The story of the "Hmong" king's defeat by China actually concerns the conquest of the Jinchuan people, who were not Hmong.) Quincy uncritically uses an unreliable account by F. Savina, _Histoire des Miao_ (Hong Kong, 1924). For a better study of Hmong in China see Robert Jenks, _Insurgency and Social Disorder in Guizhou_ (University of Hawaii Press, 1994). The rest of the book is a little better, but must be read with caution and cross-checked with other sources.

As time passes I learn more and more about SE Asia and the US involvement there over the past many years. My daughter in law (daughter) is Hmong. This book revealed a great deal for me and opens my mind to questions regarding the Hmong,Laos, and the US. This book is well written, an easy read, but shares a great deal of information in its few pages. I recommend this book to anyone interested in SE Asia and the folk who live there.

Like all the books about the Hmong, there will be at times glaring inaccuracies and mistakes in the material, and Quincy has taken a lot of heat over the years for his attempts to help the Hmong reconstruct their history, most of which was lost during the 4,000 years between their roots in ancient China and the 20th century.

Considered by most to be one of the less reliable texts to work from, I nevertheless found many interesting elements within it, that, when combined with additional research, yields some fine and fun reading.

It should definitely not be taken on its own- one should try and double check statements by using other materials, but most people who read this will feel inspired to study and learn more about the Hmong and their true histories, and that's not such a bad thing.

Mr. Quincy did an excellent job on putting this book together. I have not yet read a book by anyone who would have gone as far back as Mr. Quincy did with this book. As a little Hmong girl growing up, I have always been curious of where Hmong people really existed from. My father tried his best to educate me on who we- the Hmong people were. Many of what he taught me seemed to be unreal, until I read Hmong: History of A People. It really shocked me that what my father was telling me was actually in print! My suggestion to all the Hmong people out there is that EVERYONE should read this book. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will not gain a better understanding of where you came from. After I had finished reading the book, I was shocked to know that my Great-great-great-great Grandfather was the "Hmong King"- Nhia Vue Lee. My appreciation goes to Mr. Quincy and his desire in wanting to have a better understanding of our culture.

Jouanah is a Hmong folktale which encompasses many of the elements of the oft told Cinderella, however, it also has unique variations which reflect the Hmong culture. In this tale, Jouanah's mother plays a crucial role as well as the evil stepmother and her daughter. It leaves the reader with the warm feeling of good triumphing over evil. The illustrations capture the style of the Blue Hmong Clan and the terrain of Southeast Asia in a dreamlike way.

Blending hope and heartbreak, Pushed to Shore delves fearlessly into the nature of loneliness, both cultural and personal, and, at the same time, opens a window on the commonality of humanity without regard for racial differences. Janet Hunter is a teacher in an ESL (English/Second Language) class of relative-sponsored Vietnamese and Hmong high school students in Missoula, Montana.

Montana in winter is covered with snow and nothing like the verdant homeland these young people have left, and they must adapt to this entirely different and unfamiliar terrain. Unlike the other students in their high school, who are a jumble of enthusiastic adolescents on the cusp of adulthood, Hunter's special students are subdued and introverted, many with life experiences far exceeding their teenage peers. In their short lives, they have already known abandonment, violence and deprivation, with little comfort, luxury or leisure time for childish adventures. Unaware of her own personal deficiencies, Hunter feels emotionally drawn to her students, willing to lend her skills to help mold their futures in this unfamiliar land.

Acculturation is a difficult process, at best. Hunter is keenly aware of her shortcomings as a teacher, unable to pronounce or understand more than a few phrases of her student's dialects. She clumsily attempts to master language skills that seem beyond her reach and can only imagine their frustration without the English phrases necessary to communicate with fellow students. A lack of language skills is a primary obstacle to success. Hunter takes her job seriously; she must conscientiously prepare her students for economically feasible futures and it is her goal to help them graduate with the required level of education. As she interacts with her students, Hunter becomes aware of their subtle, yet critical differences. Gadbow avoids categorizing these young Southeast Asians, concentrating instead on their variety, the traits and idiosyncrasies that make each student a distinct individual. For all their ethnic similarities, each has a definitive personality, a variety of goals and ambitions.

At the same time, Hunter becomes aware of her lack of a personal life. In a sense, she realizes the extent of her self-obsession and self-protection, finally prepared to join the world around her, buoyed by the daily courage of her students. Like Sleeping Beauty, Hunter awakens to the real necessity for developing more extensive friendships and interests, with or without a man. When the opportunity presents itself, she begins a relationship, the first since a painful divorce eight years ago. Because of her willingness to engage in the new affair, Hunter gains some valuable insight into the real difficulties inherent in any risk, let alone a complete change of life-style.

With incredible perseverance, the students work diligently in their adopted country and Hunter is amazed at the enormous fortitude and courage they exhibit along with their indomitable will to survive. The clean, spare story describes the difficulty of merging cultures and the unceasing commitment involved, undertaken here with the courage and spirit of the early immigrants who first came to the distant shores of America.. Luan Gaines/2003.

I thought the chineses' called Hmongs "Miao" and the Tais' called Hmongs "Meo." Don't quote me on that, I could be wrong.

Hmong peoples' stories are a bit different than most immigrants that came to the US. They are here because they assisted the US CIA with a "Secret War" against Indochina Communist and fled to the US to escape from death and imprisonment.

I agree that other races faced equal or more horrific conflicts, as well, but to bicker with PMS is a bit over the top. All of the reviews have brought much joy to me. At least there are people thinking deeply about the idea of Hmong and "reading" this cool book.

I have not read this book personally, but the reviews I have read seemed like some of you are a little ticked off. It doesn't matter what "Hmong" really means to you, it's what it means to the author. But all of a sudden, some of you have become experts in the Hmong culture and language. Well send me your email address and I will personally send you a diploma, a B.S. in Hmong culture and language.

Now for the jerk that wrote the last review- The Hmong have put up with all kinds of stereotyping, but to say that they are inferior by looking at the way they live is really a slap in the face. I could say the same thing about the Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians, Chinese, or any other Asian groups in this country but I don't. What a person becomes is really up to that individual, so for you to pass judgement on others, especially a group of people, based on your narrow minded pea brain, I nominate you for the "Jerk of the Year" award.

Go get a life and stop ruining mine!

I work in the healthcare field and have seen quite a few young (teenage +) Hmong Americans struggling with their sense of value. In particular, a young girl who had been "Americanized" AKA taken from her family when she was young because of supposed abuse - a common practice not that long ago. She was depressed, living with a loving but very white family in which she felt inferior. Asian gang activities in our area made her feel embarrassed. This book put a spark back in her eyes. I found it wonderful and would highly recommend it.

The author's intro was informative but lacks passion (some day, a Hmong author may be able to do a more passionate job on our plight).

The narratives were honest and sincere. There was no "sugar-coating"--I know! The narratives had a single common denominator: the sufferings of the human condition. Throughout the narration, I cried and laughed all at once. I cried: all the sufferings. I laughed: when one of the narratives failed the drivers' written test (in California) the first time because after she took the test, she didn't even realized it was in Spanish until her husband told her--she did not know Spanish.

The book gave me a sense of my history in a personal and down-to-earth way. The book is an excellent reference.

I just want to say something about the two words Hmong and Meo because many people seem to misunderstand.

"Hmong" is what the Hmong called themselves long ago during Fishing & Gathering, agrarian, and horticulture civilization. On the other hand, "Meo" is what the Chinese named the Hmong due to prejudice and discrimination result from war: Chinese battled with the Hmong during pre-industrial society in the late 1700s.

Tou B. YAng

Hmong in Minnesota offers a description of Hmong culture in Minnesota and a brief history of the immigration. The book discusses the first arrivals in Minnesota and the events in Laos that led to the immigration. Later waves of immigration are not a focus of this account. The cultural description is interesting and is more detailed than in other books of the People of Minnesota series. The writing style in this book appears less concise than in rest of the series, so the book seems no longer than the eighty pages it is (excluding appendices).