"This series examines the little-known story of Chinese-American achievement, integrating information about these individuals into the larger context of American history, and emphasizing their contributions to American society and culture, from the Chinese mariner who explored the western North American coast in 600 A.D. to Yo-Yo Ma's performance at President Obama's inauguration in 2009. Actor Archie Kao hosts and introduces each of the chronologically-arranged episodes. Some of the segments describe Chinese American participation in events such as the Gold Rush, the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, and World War II, while others discuss the legal and societal status of Chinese Americans, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and court cases that expanded their civil rights. Most of the episodes profile individual Chinese Americans who made significant contributions in many fields. Some are well known, such as actor Bruce Lee, architect I. M. Pei, and novelist Amy Tan, but most will be unfamiliar to viewers, such as pioneer Polly Bemis and early film actress Anna May Wong. Visuals include period art, photos, newsreels, and contemporary footage. This series celebrates the contributions of Chinese immigrants and their descendents and the influence of Chinese Americans today, and is a good choice for middle level and secondary collections."