The Asian American Century / Edition 1

by Warren I. Cohen

Overview

Warren Cohen reviews the role of the United States in East Asia over the past century, making a convincing case for American influence in Asia as generally positive. He illustrates specific ways in which American culture has affected Asians, from forms of government to entertainment, and offers valuable insights into the nature of cultural exchange. Americanization was most successful when Asians freely adopted cultural elements, while efforts to impose values generally failed, notably in the Philippines. And in a fascinating and eye-opening assessment of the "Asianization" of America, Cohen observes that Asian influences in food, film, music, medicine, and religion are now woven deeply—and permanently—into the American fabric. Indeed, Asians are changing American identity itself: by mid-century, approximately one in ten Americans will boast Asian ancestry.

In this lively look at the cultural bonds that continue to shape the relationship between East Asians and Americans, Cohen invites us to ponder the past and envision the future as the "American century" gives way to one with a decidedly more Asian focus.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674007659
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	03/22/2002
Series:	The Edwin O. Reischauer Lectures , #8
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Warren I. Cohen is Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. The Struggle for Dominance in East Asia

2. The Americanization of East Asia

3. The Asianization of America

Notes

Index

What People are Saying About This

Gordon H. Chang

Perceptive and witty, these provocative reflections consider what some Americans celebrate and some Americans fear and condemn, but what most Americans refuse to acknowledge: the "Asianization" of America. The cultures of the world are dramatically and quickly changing and Cohen offers a historian's long view of an East-West encounter that transcends immigration exclusion, atomic bombs, and economic boycotts: the changes in the everyday lives of everyday East Asians and Americans produced by their cultural contact.
— Gordon H. Chang, Stanford University

Ezra F. Vogel

Warren Cohen is a master historian of US-East Asia relations. In these lectures he examines a new topic, the history of cultural relations between the United States and Asia. He traces how Americanization has swept Asia but he reveals that the United States has been more Asianized than one might guess from our "Western heritage."
— Ezra F. Vogel, Harvard University

Akira Iriye

This is a gem. Warren Cohen has long been the leading historian of the relationship between the United States and East Asia. When such a scholar writes a spirited, delightful, and personalized account of American-Asian relations, it commands special attention. He shows convincingly how the histories of East Asia and the United States have become intertwined since the nineteenth century. The book argues, in essence, that the modern history of the world can never be fully understood unless we recognize this fact.
— Akira Iriye, Harvard University

Editorial Reviews

Perceptive and witty, these provocative reflections consider what some Americans celebrate and some Americans fear and condemn, but what most Americans refuse to acknowledge: the "Asianization" of America. The cultures of the world are dramatically and quickly changing and Cohen offers a historian's long view of an East-West encounter that transcends immigration exclusion, atomic bombs, and economic boycotts: the changes in the everyday lives of everyday East Asians and Americans produced by their cultural contact.

Gordon H. Chang

Warren Cohen is a master historian of US-East Asia relations. In these lectures he examines a new topic, the history of cultural relations between the United States and Asia. He traces how Americanization has swept Asia but he reveals that the United States has been more Asianized than one might guess from our "Western heritage."

Ezra F. Vogel

This is a gem. Warren Cohen has long been the leading historian of the relationship between the United States and East Asia. When such a scholar writes a spirited, delightful, and personalized account of American-Asian relations, it commands special attention. He shows convincingly how the histories of East Asia and the United States have become intertwined since the nineteenth century. The book argues, in essence, that the modern history of the world can never be fully understood unless we recognize this fact.

Akira Iriye

Just three chapters long, this engrossing book is based on a series of lectures. The first chapter, "The Struggle for Dominance in East Asia," is the least satisfying in its recap of the modern history of the U.S. relationship with East Asia, being both too brief for the uninitiated and too long for the expert. "The Americanization of East Asia" is much more satisfying in its depiction of the many American influences on the Far East, the obvious examples being McDonald's and Mickey Mouse. Cohen (history, Univ. of Maryland) shows, however, that these and other American icons change their status when imported. For example, Japanese children assume that Mickey Mouse is Japanese, and McDonald's is not a fast-food spot but a nice place to linger with friends. Finally, "The Asianization of America" catalogs the innumerable Asian influences that have become integral to American life: Chinese restaurants (far more numerous than McDonald's in Asia); Asian films, books, and movie stars; Asian influences on art and architecture; Buddhism; and simply the soon-to-be ten percent of the population. As this book tackles an important subject, it is unfortunate that it is not longer. Recommended for all libraries. Kitty Chen Dean, Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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