Martin F. Manalansan IV

This was a delightful read that really interrogates ideas about a global gay culture by instead focusing on the ways that Filipino gay men experience their own identities and the world around them. Manalansan delicately uses his informants' interviews to highlight a diverse set of topics like family, relationships with religion (specifically Catholicism) and relationships with friends and lovers, as well as AIDS. Some of it I felt was touched on too fleetingly- I could read an entire book, for example, about AIDS- but I think Manalansan does an excellent job of keeping his analysis moving while still driving home his point. It's a great examination that the seeming-monolith of white Euro American gay culture is in fact hyper specific and it's less a question of globalization and more about sliding between and around dominant cultures in specific places.… (altro)

The interest in Asian foods has been growing steadily for years. It seems to be on a surge of growth right now. Is it because of the health benefits of their diets ? Or perhaps it is just a fad ? The world is getting smaller and we are hungrier for new tastes and food adventures. Who are these people behind the food ?This book takes a look at the history behind the food. The food trucks, doughnut shops, World War 2 Japanese internment camps, and many more. There are studies on how these points in history changed our views and opened up the cuisines to the rest of America. The history was fascinating but all the foot notes, and research materials made it a somewhat dry read. I was expecting more of a humorous look at food in America not an educational text. I did read it thoroughly, and I did enjoy it and I gained a new level of understanding behind the food. I would recommend it to Asian studies students and food history buffs.… (altro)