Chinatown: An illustrated history of the Chinese Communities of Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax

by Paul Yee

Explore the rich history of Canada's Chinatowns in this extensively illustrated book Canada's Chinese community found its roots in the late nineteenth century, when many Chinese left their overcrowded homeland in search of opportunity in Canada. But they faced daunting challenges when they arrived -- including poverty, racism, and prohibitions on family members coming to join them. In this book, extensively illustrated with contemporary and archival images, author Paul Yee tells the stories of eight Canadian Chinatowns -- Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax -- and explores the unique culture and heritage of each. He outlines the challenges that Chinatown's have overcome in the face of urban redevelopment and profiles the many ways Chinese Canadians dealt with the hostility they encountered from their fellow citizens. Chinese artists, politicians, and other intriguing personalities also make appearances throughout this rich narrative. Chinatown is an eye-opening account of how a group targeted for racist treatment for decades was able to overcome daunting obstacles and make room for themselves in Canadian society.

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2005

About the author

Paul Yee never planned to be an author but got published in 1983 and followed up with over twenty books in his area of obsession: Chinese immigrants to North America. He wrote mostly for young readers, from picture books to Young Adult fiction, as well as histories for everyone. His university degrees in history, plus working as an archivist, plunged him into researching the past. His work has been translated into French and Chinese, and used in animated films as well as stage plays. Born in small-town prairie Canada, he grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, but Toronto tempted him away from that west coast paradise in 1988.