Monterey Park; California; is a community of 60;000 residents; located east of downtown Los Angeles. Dubbed by the media the "First Suburban Chinatown; " Monterey Park is the only city in the continental United States with a majority Asian American population. Since the early 1970s; large numbers of Chinese immigrants moved there and transformed a quiet; predominantly white middle-class bedroom community into a bustling international boomtown. Timothy Fong examines the demographic; economic; social; and cultural changes taking place in Monterey Park; as well as the political reactions to change. Although the city was initially recognized for its liberal attitude toward newcomers; rapid economic development and population growth spawned numerous problems. Greater density; traffic congestion; less open space and parking; and strain on city services are problems that any city would encounter with rapid unplanned growth. The prominence of Chinese-language business signs; and ethnic restaurants; markets; and shops persuaded many older residents to focus blame on the immigrants. Fong describes how; by 1986; the once ethnically diverse city council became predominantly white and promoted such "anti-Chinese" measures as controlled growth and English as the official language. Unlike earlier waves of Asian immigrants; many of the Chinese who settled in Monterey Park were affluent and well educated. Resentment over their rapid material success was fueled by pervasive anti-Asian sentiment throughout the country. Fearing that newcomers were "taking over" and refusing to assimilate; residents supported a series of initiatives intended to strengthen "community control." These initiatives were brandedas "racist" by development interests; as well as by many of the usually apolitical Chinese in the city. Fong chronicles the evolution of the conflict and locates the beginnings of its recovery from internal strife and unwanted negative media attention. He demonstrates how the para
#1789004 in Books Steven L Burg 2000-02-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x 1.05 x 5.98l; 1.51 #File Name: 1563243091520 pagesThe War in Bosnia Herzegovina Ethnic Conflict and International Intervention
Review
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Very goodBy sunceI found this book to be very detailed and informative. I was born in Bosnia and was there when the war began. There was so much misinformation and confusion at that time that it was very hard to understand the true causes that led to war in Bosnia. This book goes a long way in explaining how and why it all happened. Highly recomended.27 of 31 people found the following review helpful. The definitive work on BosniaBy A CustomerBurg and Shoup's book will stand for some years as the definitive work on the Bosnian war and the missteps of international intervention there. It is a must read by anyone interested in what happened in that mountainous Balkan country.This book is rather detailed and is not meant to be a 'quick read' for the casual reader. Instead; it uses a vast array of sources from the region as well as the Western press and interviews to make its case about the goals of the three sides as well as the desire of the 'West' to stay out of the conflict. Furthermore; it provides a much-needed and accessible overview of the various peace plans and maps which aimed at stopping the carnage in Bosnia.It is an excellent book which sets a new standard for research on ethnic conflicts and international policy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Her prof loved it.By nemoGot it for my daughter on her college trip to Bosnia. Her prof loved it.
