This work investigates how the construction of the 'Oriental' identity in American sociology shaped broader racial hierarchies and social policies in the twentieth century. Henry Yu, a historian specializing in Asian American studies, utilizes archival research and institutional history to argue that sociologists at the University of Chicago were instrumental in defining the 'Oriental Problem.' By examining the intellectual frameworks developed by these scholars, the book demonstrates how academic discourse directly influenced public perception and state actions, including the internment of Japanese Americans.

Scholars frequently cite this book as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of academic sociology and racial formation in the United States. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires familiarity with sociological theory and historical methodology.