Strangers in the Land

Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America

By: Michael Luo

Narrated by: Eric Yang

LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FOR NONFICTION • From New Yorker writer Michael Luo comes a masterful narrative history of the Chinese in America that traces the sorrowful theme of exclusion and documents their more than century-long struggle to belong.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR:
THE NEW YORKER, THE WASHINGTON POST, TIME, BOSTON GLOBE, BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK, KIRKUS REVIEWS, LIBRARY JOURNAL, CHINA BOOKS REVIEW

"A story about aspiration and belonging that is as universal as it is profound.”—Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say Nothing

"A gift to anyone interested in American history. I couldn't stop turning pages."—Charles Yu, author of Interior Chinatown

In Strangers in the Land, award-winning journalist Michael Luo tells the story of a people who, beginning in the middle of the nineteenth century, migrated by the tens of thousands to a distant land they called Gum Shan––Gold Mountain. Americans initially welcomed these Chinese arrivals, but, as their numbers grew, horrific episodes of racial terror erupted on the Pacific coast. Federal lawmakers enacted legislation aimed at excluding Chinese laborers from the country, the first time the United States barred a people based on their race. The Chinese became the country’s earliest undocu­mented immigrants: hounded, counted, suspected, surveilled.

In 1889, while upholding Chinese exclusion, Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Field characterized them as “strangers in the land.” Only in 1965 did America’s gates swing open to people like Luo’s parents, immigrants from Taiwan. Today there are more than twenty-two million people of Asian descent in the United States and yet the “stranger” label, Luo writes, remains. Drawing on archives from across the country and written with style and sweep, Strangers in the Land is a revelatory and unforgettable American story.

Important to understand the past so we don’t repeat its mistakes

Well researched and written account of what led to and the events during Chinese Exclusion period in America. For a country that prides itself as a beacon of light, this was one of the darker chapters in its history. We’re on the verge of repeating it as the anti-China sentiment that prevails politics today is clearly bipartisan. We can do better.

Everyone should read this book

This is such an eye-opening and educational book. It should be taught in high schools all over the US. They need to stop whitewashing
history

Do not pass this up

First of all I want to complement the narrator. He spoke in an even gone and did not rush. Pleasant to listen to.
I was aware of the hardships the USA put the Chinese through trying to make a better life. They need more credit for their sacrifices working on building our railways and mines. This story takes you through their trial and tribulations in an easy explainable manner. Many sad moments. I enjoyed the book.

Refreshing!

As someone of African American descent, with little knowledge of Chinese history here in America. This has been a wonderful lesson in a painful past with an even brighter future!

Great History!!

Excellent stories and battles to succeed! Makes me appreciate all the conveniences of 2025 life !!