The powerful story of one of the most heavily persecuted immigrant groups to arrive on our shores is a poignant, often sombre, look at the struggles and triumphs of the more than two million Chinese who left their native land for a chance at a better life. This book combines a powerful historical text about the Chinese experience in America -- from the earliest immigrants through the present day -- with close to 200 extraordinary images carefully selected to provide new perspective. Early chronicles of Chinese life in America dwelled on the 'exotic' and 'alien' image of the Chinese people, as evidenced in nineteenth and early twentieth century photographs, drawings, and posters. Chinese Americans: The Immigrant Experience presents an honest, humanising perspective, celebrating Chinese Americans in all their diversity, while also placing their hard-won triumph within a historical framework that acknowledges the particularly difficult and painful experiences they encountered in trying to make America their home.