Frank H. Wu

Much too pedantic for my tastes, and much less convincing than I'd hoped (both for my sake and for other Asian-Americans). Wu clearly is invested in his topic, but often constructs his arguments with overstuffed or just awkward sentences that end up obscuring his points instead of supporting them. Other times he makes sweeping generalizations and even once refers to himself in stereotypical terms (despite denying that such stereotypes have validity). I was even appalled by his epilogue, in show more which he extols a small college for balancing universality and individuality -- a college whose enrollment consists of 26 MEN -- but doesn't really support his claims with any real details about how they manage to stay individuals.

It may have been silly of me to expect that any one book could've taken on the whole gamut of race relations for all the different Asian American communities. But that is what this book promises, and fails to deliver. I did learn some things, but I feel like I would've learned more from a memoir in which Wu describes his own specific experiences and relations with race, rather than a work more given to principles and vague pronouncements about the importance of coalitions and community. show less

Frank H. Wu's Yellow is an excellent analysis of the absence of an Asian perspective in America's racial debate and what it's like to be an Asian-American as a result. Throughout the book, I found myself thinking "That's happened to me!" with an alarming frequency. Yellow also has the added benefit of explaining the dense analysis of a related subject in Edward W. Said's Orientalism in a way that is concise and easily understood.

A good introduction to Asian America. I will say however, that Frank H. Wu's background is in law, which definitely shows throughout the book. A particularly long list of stereotyped caricatures of Asians in media sticks out in my mind, though I do remember thinking simultaneously that his list was 'way too long' but also 'really interesting.' He seems to have a gift at moving you along and getting you through to the end. A bit dense to read at times (from what I recall as an undermotivated show more undergrad), but definitely recommended reading for anyone interested in learning more about the Asian American experience. show less

Engaging and well written. Enjoyed the non-linear, subject matter grouped approach to the topic.