The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky: A History of the Chinese Experience in Montana

The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky is a book that seeks to recover the stories of Montana's Chinese population in their own words and deepen understanding of Chinese experiences in Montana by using a global lens. Mark T. Johnson has mined several large collections of primary documents left by Chinese pioneers, translated into English for the first time, providing insight into the pressures the Chinese community faced as economic and cultural disturbances complicated acceptance of Chinese residents in the state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2022
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The Denver Public Library is proud to announce the 2023 Caroline Bancroft History Prize, which will be awarded to Mark T. Johnson for his outstanding contributions to the field of history. Johnson's book, "The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky: Recovering the Stories of Montana's Chinese Population in Their Own Words," is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Montana during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book is a result of extensive research and analysis of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspapers, that were left by Chinese pioneers who settled in Montana during this period. Johnson's meticulous translation of these documents into English has allowed a wider audience to access and understand the rich history of Chinese immigrants in Montana.

One of the key themes of "The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky" is the challenges that Chinese immigrants faced in their new home. Johnson highlights the discrimination and prejudice that they encountered, as well as the struggles they had to overcome to establish themselves in Montana's rugged landscape. He also explores the contributions that Chinese immigrants made to the state's economy and culture, including their role in building railroads, mining, and farming.

Through his work, Johnson has demonstrated the agency of Chinese Montanans in the history of the American West and China. He has shown that they were not just passive victims of discrimination and prejudice, but active participants in shaping the course of their own lives and the communities in which they lived.

The 2023 Caroline Bancroft History Prize is a well-deserved recognition of Mark T. Johnson's groundbreaking work. His book has not only contributed to our understanding of the history of Chinese immigrants in Montana, but has also shed light on the broader issues of immigration, identity, and cultural exchange in the American West.

We are grateful to Mark T. Johnson for his dedication to the field of history and for his contributions to our understanding of the past. We look forward to seeing what new insights and discoveries he will bring to the world in the years to come.
The Denver Public Library is proud to announce the 2023 Caroline Bancroft History Prize, which will be awarded to Mark T. Johnson for his outstanding contributions to the field of history. Johnson's book, "The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky: Recovering the Stories of Montana's Chinese Population in Their Own Words," is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Montana during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book is a result of extensive research and analysis of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and newspapers, that were left by Chinese pioneers who settled in Montana during this period. Johnson's meticulous translation of these documents into English has allowed a wider audience to access and understand the rich history of Chinese immigrants in Montana.

One of the key themes of "The Middle Kingdom under the Big Sky" is the challenges that Chinese immigrants faced in their new home. Johnson highlights the discrimination and prejudice that they encountered, as well as the struggles they had to overcome to establish themselves in Montana's rugged landscape. He also explores the contributions that Chinese immigrants made to the state's economy and culture, including their role in building railroads, mining, and farming.

Through his work, Johnson has demonstrated the agency of Chinese Montanans in the history of the American West and China. He has shown that they were not just passive victims of discrimination and prejudice, but active participants in shaping the course of their own lives and the communities in which they lived.

The 2023 Caroline Bancroft History Prize is a well-deserved recognition of Mark T. Johnson's groundbreaking work. His book has not only contributed to our understanding of the history of Chinese immigrants in Montana, but has also shed light on the broader issues of immigration, identity, and cultural exchange in the American West.

We are grateful to Mark T. Johnson for his dedication to the field of history and for his contributions to our understanding of the past. We look forward to seeing what new insights and discoveries he will bring to the world in the years to come.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496230997