James L Eng

Odyssey of a Taishan American James L Eng

The use of coaching books systematically deceived the American immigration system during the years following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Follow Jim's life as an eight-year-old immigrant from Taishan whose diligent memorization of false identities, dates and places erased all memories of his boyhood in China. After facing language difficulties and isolation during assimilation and education, he eventually achieves academic success. But then he must overcome the institutional racism of the 1950s, and reaches the plateau of middle class America during the Cold War. He finds himself oddly suited to the silence and secrecy shrouding his work with the military and NASA. But despite having lived the American Dream, he sees the world as a Chinese American in a racist society. Mr. Eng completed this memoir at the age of 95. He attributes his health, long life, and success to his beautiful wife Lan.