San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History and Architecture

by Philip P. Choy

San Francisco Chinatown is the first "insider's guide" to one of America's most celebrated ethnic enclaves by an author born and raised there. Both a history of America's oldest Chinese community and a guide to its significant sites and architecture, San Francisco Chinatown traces the development of the neighborhood from the city's earliest days to its post-quake transformation into an "oriental" tourist attraction as a pragmatic means of survival. Written by architect and Chinese American studies pioneer Philip P. Choy, and featuring photographs and walking tours, the book details the triumphs and tragedies of the Chinese American experience in the United States.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2012

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of district and buildings. Chinatown is an ‘Oriental City‘ created after the 06 quake to counter prejudice.

[City Lights Booksellers & Publishers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Part history book and part tour guide, San Francisco Chinatown is definitely niche, but wonderfully so. In it, Choy quickly outlines the history of San Francisco as a whole, then jumps into a section by section investigation of the city's famous Chinatown… San Francisco Chinatown whets ones appetite to learn more about Chinese-American history." —Evelyn McDonald, City Book Review

"Philip P. Choy's 'San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History and Architecture' is just what local and out-of-town tourists have wanted and needed. . . . Aficionados of San Francisco architecture, whether Chinese or Italian, and tourists from distant lands or from nearby North Beach will love Choy's guidebook. History buffs will be amazed by the wealth of lore, legend and radiant fact." —Jonah Raskin, San Francisco Chronicle

"Choy's book is easily read while walking, and fits easily into a jacket pocket. His descriptions are typically no more than two pages and are always accompanied by a large photo . . . I emphasize these qualities because the most important feature of a guidebook is that it is useable. And Choy has met this test." —Randy Shaw, Beyond Chron

[Danielle Zhang]

This is a really cool book-it tells not only the story behind the strange Chinatown-style architecture that originates from San Francisco, but also covers the history behind Chinatown. It is interesting to read about how San Francisco Chinese community's history is closely intertwined with Chinese domestic politics.

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a history of buildings with a slight walking tour at the end.

The most interesting takeaway was the reason why so many Chinatown buildings have a Chinese-like appearance. After the 1906 earthquake the whites wanted to take the opportunity to evict all Chinese from San Francisco. The Chinese community promised they would rebuild with Chinese-looking buildings as a way to attract gazillions of tourists. This was strategy.

Would have liked to have more interesting stories from the old days in Chinatown.

[Consuelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip P. Choy's "San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History & Architecture" is an excellent book that outlines major historical events with detail. There are many photos, which add support and substance to the narrative. After reading this book I have new insights and understanding of Chinatown.

[Mills College Library]

979.461 C5529 2012

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable history of various buildings in San Francisco's Chinatown and their significance. Would be a great companion on a self-guided walking tour.