Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects (Smithsonian Books, 2023)
Editor: Theodore S. Gonzalves. Explore the vibrant history of Asian Pacific American communities through 101 objects—ranging from Duke Kahanamoku’s surfboard to the debut Ms. Marvel comic featuring Kamala Khan. This richly illustrated book shares both celebrated and untold stories, offering insights into the influential, controversial, and meaningful artifacts that have shaped these experiences. Thematic chapters cover topics like navigation, labor, innovation, belonging, resistance, solidarity, and joy. Full-color illustrations bring the objects to life while addressing themes such as immigration, media representation, and the complexities of what history is preserved or overlooked. A compelling look at the objects that embody the spirit, struggles, and achievements of Asian Pacific American communities.
⭐️ Winner of the 2024 Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize
⭐️ Named one of Booklist’s Top 10 Reference Books of 2024
⭐️ Starred Reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal
“This brilliant and beautiful book is a moving tribute to Asian Pacific American contributions, challenges, and triumphs. Vivid illustrations and insightful commentaries on the stunning objects introduce readers to the incredible diversity of Asian Pacific American experiences and their centrality in American history.”
—Catherine Ceniza Choy, author of Asian American Histories of the United States
“Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects gathers the wide expanse of our boundless creativity and the evidence of hard-won survival. In these objects and the poignant meditations that accompany them, the ordinary and the magnificent, the tragic and the joyous, the intimate and the universal tell the powerful stories of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Feel the bold touch of our ancestors, trace the broad contours of how we are shaping the present, and see the signs of our shared future.”
—Jeff Chang, author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America
“History is more than just dates—it’s about being able to relate to our past. Asian Pacific American history, long underrepresented and under-taught, can be especially hard to bring to life. Luckily, Theodore Gonzalves has given us a monumental gift in Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects that uses the vast Smithsonian collections to animate our stories.”
—Hari Kondabolu, comedian and writer