Vicky Lyfoung retraces the history of a vibrant Asian ethnic group, blending rich documentation and personal stories in this gripping graphic history. Long oppressed, the Hmong struggle to preserve their traditions and way of life in a homeland torn by war and strife. Their history is closely linked to France, which colonized Indochina in 1893 and for whom the Hmong worked tirelessly, first as opium suppliers and then as soldiers.With great sensitivity and humor, the author tells the story of these people through the lens of her own family.