This book investigates how the sociological study of Asian Americans at the University of Chicago shaped the racial formation and identity construction of Asian Americans throughout the twentieth century. Henry Yu, a historian specializing in Asian American history, utilizes archival research and institutional analysis to argue that early social scientists were instrumental in defining the 'Oriental' as a specific social problem. He examines how these academic frameworks influenced public policy, including the internment of Japanese Americans, and eventually contributed to the emergence of the 'model minority' stereotype.

Scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of academic sociology and racial policy in the United States. Readers often note the dense, scholarly nature of the prose, which is intended for an academic audience interested in the history of social science and ethnic studies.