Scars of War examines how the exclusion of mixed-race persons and people of Asian descent in the United States shaped the efforts of policymakers to recognize the Amerasians of Vietnam as American children and initiate legislation that designated them unfit for American citizenship.

"Powerful . . . well-documented, well-written, and most informative, ("Calculated Kindness") is . . . for all Americans who wish to better understand the often competing policies and principles that have regulated immigrations practices in the United States".--(Rev.) Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame.