Product Review

AVAILABLE from EastWind Books of Berkeley for $15.95 asiabookcenter.com asiabookcenter.com/store/p244/Other%3A_an_Asian_%26_Pacific_Islander_Prisoners%27_Anthology.html

This anthology of work by Asian and Pacific Islander (API) prisoners is the first book to highlight the unique stories and perspectives of this growing prisoner population in the U.S. In total, 22 talented API prisoner writers, poets, and artists have contributed to this anthology, which was initiated and co-edited by Eddy Zheng, who was recently released from prison and immigration detention after over two decades behind bars.

Through original poetry, vignettes, essays, first-hand narratives, interviews, and drawings, these prisoners cover topics such as the factors that led to their incarceration, the cruelty that occurs in prisons and immigration detention jails, and the harsh reality of deportation that awaits many API prisoners. By offering readers a glimpse into their innermost fears, regrets, and dreams, these prisoners have contributed an important voice to our society's discussion around race, immigration, and prison issues. Contributors to this anthology are Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Mien, Tongan, and Vietnamese; some are immigrant, refugees, indigenous or adopted. One is transgender, another is female.

OTHER includes a preface by Helen Zia. The book is edited by Eddy Zheng and Ben Wang, designed by Joy Liu, RevoluXinDesigns.com, and is a project of the Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC). [email protected]