This is a collection of stories on three Chinese brothers in the 19th century who outwitted laws mandating that Chinese people accept third-class status if they desired even a small share of the American dream.

The Moy brothers, Jin Kee, Jin Mun and Jin Fuey, were Chinese immigrants who crossed lines and broke barriers. Tough men whose lives were hemmed in by prejudice and restrictive laws, they were scrappy and ambitious. In an era when the Chinese were excluded from America's shores and those in the US kept their heads down, they stood up and fought for their countrymen, using all means available to get ahead.

The author Scott Seligman is a historian, genealogist, retired corporate executive and career China hand. He has created several websites on historical and genealogical topics, and published books about China.

Date: Oct 16

Venue: China Institute, New York

Website: http://www.chinainstitute.org/art-culture/programs-events/lectures/

(China Daily 10/12/2012 page23)