This handsome volume, the brainchild of the Chinese Heritage Centre in Singapore, begins with a historical overview of Chinese migration, then examines the impact that overseas Chinese have had on specific countries where they have lived...This comprehensive reference--the first of its kind to be published in English--is well-written, painstakingly precise, thorough, but not repetitious. Its subject matter is understandably complex, as the editor carefully points out, since diaspora phenomena like trans-national households do not fall into neat categories of 'emigrant' and 'immigrant'. Readers will also appreciate the instructive maps, illustrations, historical photos, and bibliography. An extensive index makes it easy to look up specific facts, although this is one reference book that you might want to read cover to cover.
   --Jean Patterson, Independent Publisher

With a 5,000-year history and more than a billion people, China also has a significant huaqiao (Chinese overseas population). This encyclopedia represents the first attempt in the English-speaking world to provide a comprehensive survey of this unique subject, covering both the historical heritage and the contemporary scene. Arranged topically and geographically, this pioneering work contains more than 100 signed essays on the origins of the overseas Chinese, migration, their ties to the motherland, and relationships with their adoptive countries. It is followed by country-by-country profiles of individual Chinese communities worldwide. Throughout the volume, the material is both balanced and accurate. The text, enhanced by excellent illustrations, is very readable.
   --W. S. Wong, Choice

Even though it is a encyclopedia and its contents are written by some 50 scholars and specialists, this important work on overseas Chinese is very readable in its entirety…The editor, Lynn Pan, a noted author, journalist, and book editor, has done an outstanding service to the growing worldwide interest in the study and understanding of overseas Chinese by producing this timely publication.
   --Hwa-Wei Lee, American Reference Books Annual

A valuable and--particularly for an encyclopedia--very readable work. Its unique strength is that half of it is made up of very substantial narrative, descriptive, and analytical chapters of different facets of the lives of Chinese overseas. The editor has succeeded remarkably in combining high standards of scholarship with an extremely readable style of exposition.
   --Prasenjit Duara, University of Chicago

Lynn Pan was born in Shanghai and studied at the University of London and Cambridge University. She is former Director of the Chinese Heritage Center of the University of Singapore, and her publications include Sons of the Yellow Emperor and The New Chinese Revolution.