Dr. Paul Hillmer

Links:
Home

Hmong Oral History Project

Class Pages:
HIS-111: Western Civilizations

HIS-212: Introduction to History

HIS-331: Religion in American Culture

Outside Resources 
Why Become a Historian?
Internet Modern History Sourcebook
Disinfopedia
Links for Social Studies Educators
Misc. Links
Institutional Links
Grad Programs in History

Dr. Paul Hillmer
Associate Professor, History Department

Office#: AD 200
Phone: 651-641-8215
Fax: 651-659-0207
hillmer@csp.edu 

CHOICE review

CURRENT REVIEWS FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

June 2010  Vol. 47  No. 10

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

History, Geography & Area Studies – Asia & Oceania

47-5812                                   DS509                         2009-34511   CIP

Hillmer, Paul.  A people’s history of the Hmong.  Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2010.  327p  index  afp  ISBN 9780873517263, $27.95

This book provides the single most comprehensive overview of Hmong culture and history since Sucheng Chan’s pathbreaking edited work Hmong Means Free (CH Jan ’95, 32-3035).  It is based on more than 100 personal interviews whose subjects include General Vang Pao, Dr. Yang Dao, State Senator Mee Moua, and other famous leaders.  Interviewees include key US military and foreign policy officers.  Hillmer (Concordia Univ.) also wisely chose to interview many ordinary Hmong Americans in Minnesota, not just elites.  A young woman recounts being forced to marry at age 13.  A young inmate candidly explains how he became a gang member and shot a friend.  To this wealth of oral history, Hillmer has added dozens of invaluable photographs showing the interviewees in Laos and Thailand.  The book is clearly a cooperative and highly laudable co-production between Hillmer and many members of the Hmong American community.  But at times Hillmer is pulled too deeply into intracommunal feuds and gossip, such as when he states “Vang Pao’s legacy is now tarnished” and “Yang Dao had to eat his words” (p. 299).  Hillmer’s personalized epilogue diminishes the book’s contribution to scholarship, but assures its appeal to undergraduates and general readers.  Summing Up:  Highly recommended.  All levels/libraries – J. Hein, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire