The Forbidden City Within Victoria - Myth, Symbol and Streetscape of Canada's Earliest Chinatown

Victoria BC: Orca Book Publishers, 1991. Book. Good. Paperback. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. 191 pages including index, bibliography and reference notes. Abundantly illustrated in black and white. Author contends that in order to understand Chinatown today we must know about its past and the impact of Chinese traditional culture upon it. Explores the myths associated with Chinatown and explains their intent and purpose. In so doing he answers many questions that have long puzzled outsiders: How was Fan Tan Alley created? Are there still underground passages in Chinatown? Who is the God of Tam Kung? What are the tongs? Do the gambling dens still exist? What do the terra cotta animals on the Chinatown Gate represent? Illustrated with over 100 photographs, illustrations and maps. Author is a professor of geography at the University of Victoria and has been the Chairman of the Chinatown Redevelopment Committee since 1979. He was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1983 in recognition of his distinguished service in the Chinese community. Clean and unmarked with light wear. A quality copy..