This combination of history and anthropology provides a wealth of information about this little-known Asiatic culture. Emphasis is divided between an account of the workings of Hmong society, such as its shamanistic practices, and their 20th-century history, particularly the participation in U.S.-backed fighting against communist forces in Laos and subsequent flight from Laos to, among other countries, Thailand and the United States.

But the Hmong have a long history of refusing to assimilate into any of the dominant cultures of the region. This has resulted in a nomadic existence throughout Indochina and occasionally, as the gripping first-chapter account of battles between Hmong and Chinese imperial forces reveals, in outright combat. Keith Quincy brings the reader to a closer understanding of why a culture whose people make up less than .01 percent of the world’s population would put up such a fierce struggle to preserve their cultural autonomy.

Quincy follows the history and tradition of the Hmong people, from their early settlements in China through their contribution to the war in Vietnam. Details Hmong origins, their relations with other tribal minorities, and their alliance with the French in Indochina, and discusses aspects of traditional Hmong society such as opium cultivation, farming, and shamanism. Includes chapters on the Fall of Tonkin, Captain Vang Pao, and Hmong immigration in Thailand and the US.

This survey of Hmong history and culture answers a keenly felt need for a study that combines comprehensive coverage with concise scope.” There are slightly more than six million Hmong world-wide. Most Hmong today live in China, Laos, northern Vietnam, Thailand, and Burma and are all believed to be descendants of Hmong who originally migrated from central Siberia. More than eighty thousand have resettled in the U.S.

Hmong: History of a People is a detailed rediscovery of their rich heritage, following Hmong history and tradition from their early settlements in China, up to and including much of their contribution to the war in Vietnam. It is a book of struggle prowess, and magic, and reiterates the importance of cultural memory.

As time passes I learn more and more about SE Asia and the US involvement there over the past many years. My daughter in law (daughter) is Hmong. This book revealed a great deal for me and opens my mind to questions regarding the Hmong,Laos, and the US. This book is well written, an easy read, but shares a great deal of information in its few pages. I recommend this book to anyone interested in SE Asia and the folk who live there.

I don’t like reading history books. But this is one book that you really need to check out. It isn’t boring and if you are like me -- a Hmong American (of the newer generation obviously) and oblivious to the old generation and lacking in appreciation or knowledge of your background (if you are hmong) this is one awesome book that will set the records straight.

As for those who are just really interested. Well! This will reveal what most of the population don’t know about the hmong; their brief history of where they are originally believed to be from up to their involvement in the vietnam war as to where they are now and some cultural background, too. This is a really awesome book compared to most books written about the hmong people that i’ve gone through.

Mr. Quincy did an excellent job on putting this book together. I have not yet read a book by anyone who would have gone as far back as Mr. Quincy did with this book. As a little Hmong girl growing up, I have always been curious of where Hmong people really existed from. My father tried his best to educate me on who we — the Hmong people were. Many of what he taught me seemed to be unreal, until I read Hmong: History of A People. It really shocked me that what my father was telling me was actually in print! My suggestion to all the Hmong people out there is that EVERYONE should read this book. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will not gain a better understanding of where you came from. After I had finished reading the book, I was shocked to know that my Great-great-great-great Grandfather was the “Hmong King”- Nhia Vue Lee. My appreciation goes to Mr. Quincy and his desire in wanting to have a better understanding of our culture.