Uses interviews, media, reportage, and secondary sources to explore the historical and pop cultural roots of Western images of Asian women.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [399]-418) and index.

Part 1. The Asian mystique. Mystery, sex, fear, and desire: a brief history -- Hollywood, Burbank, and the resulting imaginings -- Matters of men and country: the unbearable lightness of being portrayed -- "Race-sim," fetish, and fever -- Part 2. Ten people, ten colors. The real memoirs of geisha -- The other side of Miss Saigon -- Glamour of the skies, sorority of service -- Screwing, getting screwed, and getting ahead -- Who's playing whom -- China doll, dragon lady -- Power women -- Epilogue: Demand creates supply.