Eng and Chang Bunker, born as conjoined twins in the kingdom of Siam, now known as Thailand, lived a remarkable life. From bowing in the aisles of the Siam King’s hall, to living in a North Carolina town in the antebellum south in a marriage with two white sisters, their journey coincides with some of the most significant moments in the 19th century, particularly the American Civil War.
UCSB English professor Yunte Huang recounts these two's lives in his new book “Inseparable: The Original Siamese Twins and Their Rendezvous with American History.” In his book, Dr. Huang explores philosophical questions of individuality, historical moments like the American Civl War, scientific advancements in medicine, cultural phenomenons like the rise of the freak show, and how they all intertwine in Chang and Eng’s lives.
