Book Review: Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History, Volume 1

Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History (Volume 1) (29 August, 2013)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History, Volume 1 is a 379-page coffee table book published by the Penang Chinese Clan Council. I must congratulate Kwoh Shoo Chen, the executive editor of this book, for the effort invested in putting it together. It is a book which I would want to have written myself, but I know I would never find the time for such a project.

As the title suggests, this is Volume 1. It compiles the history and background of 100 clan associations in Penang. As you can see in my list of Penang Chinese clan associations here, there're more than a hundred. So only the first hundred managed to find their way into this volume. Proceeds from sale of this first volume will go into funding its publication.



View inside Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History (Volume 1) (29 August, 2013)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


As clansman of the Tye Clan Association, I am delighted that the association is also featured in Volume One, albeit the last entry! I never have expected my rather obscure clan association would be included.

The book is first written in Mandarin and then translated into English. To convey the corresponding meaning, the English version underwent as many as twenty revisions before the text was deemed satisfactory.

If you are interested in the history and background of the clan associations of Penang, Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History is a book you should have on your little bookshelf. I am pleased to have gotten it, as soon as it is available, and I look forward to the publication of Volume 2.



Tye Clan Association - my own clan association - is the last entry featured (29 August, 2013)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Details

Title: Chinese Clans in Penang: A Concise History, Volume 1
Author: Penang Chinese Clan Council, executive editor: Kwoh Shoo Chen
ISBN: 978-967-11934-0-2
Publisher: Penang Chinese Clan Council
Year of First Publication: 2013

Buying this book

This book is available at Foo Heong Restaurant, at 56-58 Cintra Street, Mei Tatt Antique, 12 Rope Walk, House of Yeap Chor Ee, 4 Penang Street, priced at RM100 per copy. To order this book from outside Penang, write to the Penang Chinese Clan Council at [email protected]