Lyle Jan will dicuss his two book series: China 2227-Long, Long Ago and Old Chinatown- Revisited.

Mr. Jan grew up in Old San Francisco Chinatown where he was born in 1931 and lived with his parents and siblings for twenty years. His unique two book series, China 2227 – Long, Long Ago  and the sequel, Old Chinatown – Revisited; describe in vivid detail life in old Chinatown over half a century ago.  Drawing on his 20 years residency, his first hand knowledge of working class Chinatown immigrant families illuminates their struggles and ghetto community life.

Jan effectively intertwines these stories with lessons in Chinese American history. Stories such as: Life in A Chinatown Cold Water Tenement Building, The Woman in Black, The Chinatown Squad and the Tongs, A Typical Chinese Food Market, Chop Suey and Chinese Food are samples of all total 40 chapters.

With photos and illustrative drawings to recapture long gone living quarters and artifacts, Jan gives the reader a treasury of little known facts about Chinatown culture.  In China 227 Long, Long Ago, the reader is delighted with a recipe for distilled Chinese whiskey made in homemade equipment, and in Old Chinatown Revisited taught the rules of six-ball pool from Lee Baak Poolroom.

Lyle Jan is currently a registered Control System Engineer and a Real Estate Broker. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and family.