Hmong

Rating:
Summary: Informative/Interesting/Inquisitive
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: unreliable
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Informative/Interesting/Inquisitive
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: impressed and speechless
Review: 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.