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My Name Is America
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner, California, 1852
A young Chinese boy nicknamed Runt records his experiences in a journal as he travels from southern China to California in 1852 to join his uncle during the Gold Rush.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published November 26, 2013
21 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Yep
120 books295 followersBorn June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 25, 2024
I know that Laurence Yep is a good writer, so I don't mean to criticize his work by giving this middle grades read three stars and declaring that I'm done with this “My Name is America” series.
We'll go on to read more original work by Mr. Yep, but I'm not interested in any more offerings from this series. Not one of the “kids” featured in these historical fiction stories has kept a journal that has seemed the least bit authentic to me.
The series seems determined to represent well-behaved, mannerly kids only, with journal entries such as “and dear Mother. . . she works so hard for all of us, I am quite certain I will never be able to repay the debt I have incurred from being her offspring.”
Egads. Who talks like this? Certainly not my kids! When I asked my youngest child to sweep the pine needles off of the deck this weekend, she answered me with: “Why bother? The whole deck will just be covered with them tomorrow.”
Now there's a realistic journal entry for you!
I am all for well-behaved and mannerly kids, but the kids in these stories don't ever rebel, they all worship their parents and they only wish they could do MORE for their family members than they already do. Not particularly believable, even if it is the 1800s.
These quibbles aside, it was interesting to learn about the success of this first wave of Chinese immigrants in California, in the mid-1800s. The Chinese had a knack for being incredibly resourceful and “nimble,” as one character describes himself. When they were shut out of mining for gold, they quickly assessed what needs they could fulfill as tradesmen and they worked hard for everything they earned.
I was horrified to learn that:
“In early California, non-whites had no legal protection. In 1849, a law was passed that said, 'No black or mulatto person or Indian shall be permitted to give evidence in favor of or against any white person.' The California courts included Chinese in the law and refused to accept their testimony as well. Even if 50 Chinese or other “non-whites” witnessed a murder committed on a person in their community, they could not testify against the murderer in court, if they were white.
“In both 1851 and 1852, bounty hunters were paid a total of one million dollars for the scalps of Native Americans. . . and Native American women and boys were sold into slavery until 1863.”
“To this day,” the gold rush in California “left what one geologist has called 'moonscapes' where no plants can grow. Between 1854 and 1884, hydraulic mining shifted 1.5 billion cubic yards of debris, the same as digging eight Panama Canals. Much of that debris moved down the rivers, choking the bays.”
My daughter and I learned quite a bit about life in the 1850s, both in China and in California, but I do wish that this had been written in a narrative that felt more organic and authentic.
We'll go on to read more original work by Mr. Yep, but I'm not interested in any more offerings from this series. Not one of the “kids” featured in these historical fiction stories has kept a journal that has seemed the least bit authentic to me.
The series seems determined to represent well-behaved, mannerly kids only, with journal entries such as “and dear Mother. . . she works so hard for all of us, I am quite certain I will never be able to repay the debt I have incurred from being her offspring.”
Egads. Who talks like this? Certainly not my kids! When I asked my youngest child to sweep the pine needles off of the deck this weekend, she answered me with: “Why bother? The whole deck will just be covered with them tomorrow.”
Now there's a realistic journal entry for you!
I am all for well-behaved and mannerly kids, but the kids in these stories don't ever rebel, they all worship their parents and they only wish they could do MORE for their family members than they already do. Not particularly believable, even if it is the 1800s.
These quibbles aside, it was interesting to learn about the success of this first wave of Chinese immigrants in California, in the mid-1800s. The Chinese had a knack for being incredibly resourceful and “nimble,” as one character describes himself. When they were shut out of mining for gold, they quickly assessed what needs they could fulfill as tradesmen and they worked hard for everything they earned.
I was horrified to learn that:
“In early California, non-whites had no legal protection. In 1849, a law was passed that said, 'No black or mulatto person or Indian shall be permitted to give evidence in favor of or against any white person.' The California courts included Chinese in the law and refused to accept their testimony as well. Even if 50 Chinese or other “non-whites” witnessed a murder committed on a person in their community, they could not testify against the murderer in court, if they were white.
“In both 1851 and 1852, bounty hunters were paid a total of one million dollars for the scalps of Native Americans. . . and Native American women and boys were sold into slavery until 1863.”
“To this day,” the gold rush in California “left what one geologist has called 'moonscapes' where no plants can grow. Between 1854 and 1884, hydraulic mining shifted 1.5 billion cubic yards of debris, the same as digging eight Panama Canals. Much of that debris moved down the rivers, choking the bays.”
My daughter and I learned quite a bit about life in the 1850s, both in China and in California, but I do wish that this had been written in a narrative that felt more organic and authentic.
January 30, 2014
This is an excellent entry in the Scholastic "Dear America" series. Aimed at the 9 to 12 year old age group, they are short novoels set in differening historyical periods in US history.
At the age of 12 (page 34), Bright Intelligence has heard incredible news. He, who everyone calls "Runt", will be joining his Unclein the Golden Mountain (America). His older brother, Blessing, was the one his Uncle commanded to come---Uncles is legally the head of the family as the elder son--but Runt's parents decide he must go instead.
After a difficult two month journey in the hold of a ship, Runt finds his Uncle in a Chinese mining camp. At first his Uncle fears that Runt will be too smal to be of any use in a working camp. But as the boy confiders to his diary, he may not have his brother's size but he has more determination.
The boy and his Uncle are soon working together on the hard task of mining gold. Besides weather and difficult physical labor, some American miners want the Chinese to leave--they blame them for all their bad luck.
A very well written book. Young Ming-Chung is a scholarly but courageous lad and he works hard to be a good "guest" on the Golden Mountain.
When he is later offered a job helping the mine owner with paperwork, he writes in his diary "I thought I would just cut down tress in America. However, maybe America needs strong minds as much as it needs strong backs.
Perhaps there is a place for me here after all." (page 90) My absolute favorite quote from the book but it is well written throughout.
Besides the fictional diary, an appendix at the end entitled "Life In America in 1852" and some pictures and maps help tie the fictional story to actual history.
A great intoduction to an important era in California history for children ages 9 on up. If your kids like history, the entire "Dear America " series is of high quality,.
Enjoy reading this yourself before passing on to your children.
At the age of 12 (page 34), Bright Intelligence has heard incredible news. He, who everyone calls "Runt", will be joining his Unclein the Golden Mountain (America). His older brother, Blessing, was the one his Uncle commanded to come---Uncles is legally the head of the family as the elder son--but Runt's parents decide he must go instead.
After a difficult two month journey in the hold of a ship, Runt finds his Uncle in a Chinese mining camp. At first his Uncle fears that Runt will be too smal to be of any use in a working camp. But as the boy confiders to his diary, he may not have his brother's size but he has more determination.
The boy and his Uncle are soon working together on the hard task of mining gold. Besides weather and difficult physical labor, some American miners want the Chinese to leave--they blame them for all their bad luck.
A very well written book. Young Ming-Chung is a scholarly but courageous lad and he works hard to be a good "guest" on the Golden Mountain.
When he is later offered a job helping the mine owner with paperwork, he writes in his diary "I thought I would just cut down tress in America. However, maybe America needs strong minds as much as it needs strong backs.
Perhaps there is a place for me here after all." (page 90) My absolute favorite quote from the book but it is well written throughout.
Besides the fictional diary, an appendix at the end entitled "Life In America in 1852" and some pictures and maps help tie the fictional story to actual history.
A great intoduction to an important era in California history for children ages 9 on up. If your kids like history, the entire "Dear America " series is of high quality,.
Enjoy reading this yourself before passing on to your children.
October 11, 2014
My 3rd/4th graders study Chinese immigration, and we start with the gold rush. There is a lack of resources in teaching this subject to young readers, so this has become one of our introductory texts for them. Though it is truthfully too hard for most of the beginning of the year 3rd graders to read on their own, the 4th graders are able to scaffold it for them. I have my reservations about planning a social studies curriculum around a piece of fiction, but this text really helps students identify the push factors and pull factors of leaving China to be a part of the gold rush. Compelling read.
December 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this one. I liked that even though it was a short book, it was able to show so much about Chinese culture and family dynamics. The main character's evolving relationship with his Uncle, brother and parents throughout the book was one of the most interesting aspects. It also showcased how dire the situation was in China and why Chinese miners were willing to risk so much and put up with so much abuse.
September 16, 2019
A good middle-grade introduction to the immigrant experience during the Gold Rush. Twelve year old Ming-Chung joins his uncle on a mining claim in California, where a team of Chinese is creating a dam to use the river for finding gold. One of the quirks of the Dear America series is that all the protagonists are writers/literate, so Ming-Chung quickly finds himself involved with writing letters home for miners as well as assisting with book-keeping. As this is 1852, there is anti-Chinese sentiment from white people in town (and while Ming-Chung's friend Hiram assures him that most people aren't as angry and it's just a few loud bullies... silence is complicity y'all). For a moment I was going to say the racism is less intense than the Exclusion 1880s era, but then remembered that Fox and his crew are forced to leave their camp after a mob arrives (and that Fox remembers getting run off of three other claims).
For readers unfamiliar with history, this introduces concepts like the notion of America as Gum San, or Gold Mountain and the disproportionate exchange rate that allowed immigrants toiling for dollars a day to send enough money home for family to live in wealth, as well as the notion that mining only booms as long as there's ore to remove while other labor (farming, stores, land reclamation and the railroad) can still provide wages. The harsh success/survival rate is present but this isn't grimdark for tweens.
For readers unfamiliar with history, this introduces concepts like the notion of America as Gum San, or Gold Mountain and the disproportionate exchange rate that allowed immigrants toiling for dollars a day to send enough money home for family to live in wealth, as well as the notion that mining only booms as long as there's ore to remove while other labor (farming, stores, land reclamation and the railroad) can still provide wages. The harsh success/survival rate is present but this isn't grimdark for tweens.
September 11, 2009
I try to make it a point not to review Dear America/My Name is America books, because then I'd be here all day...I mean really, if I listed every book that I've ever read in my entire life...it borders on obsessive ridiculous.
However, I'm making an exception for this one because it's actually a book that I'm proud to have read and one that I think was formative in my book reading endeavors.
Obviously, the Dear America series is not classic literature, and it *can* get a bit...fluffy? Unsubstantial? Less historical than fictional? I'm not entirely sure...anyway, DA is not a concrete history curriculum. But I don't/didn't read them for that reason...mostly just for fun. ;P
The reason why this book stood out to me from other DA books isn't hard for me to pinpoint. I really, really liked hearing about Asian people in America, their beliefs, values, feelings...what they thought, why they thought it...for some reason, books like that are few and far between, especially for younger ages and/or casual reading. I mean (not to be racist), but there are lots of books on Caucasian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans...there just don't seem to be that many on Asian Americans.
For some reason, I clicked with this little Asian boy way more than I did with the white girls in the rest of the DA series...
However, I'm making an exception for this one because it's actually a book that I'm proud to have read and one that I think was formative in my book reading endeavors.
Obviously, the Dear America series is not classic literature, and it *can* get a bit...fluffy? Unsubstantial? Less historical than fictional? I'm not entirely sure...anyway, DA is not a concrete history curriculum. But I don't/didn't read them for that reason...mostly just for fun. ;P
The reason why this book stood out to me from other DA books isn't hard for me to pinpoint. I really, really liked hearing about Asian people in America, their beliefs, values, feelings...what they thought, why they thought it...for some reason, books like that are few and far between, especially for younger ages and/or casual reading. I mean (not to be racist), but there are lots of books on Caucasian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans...there just don't seem to be that many on Asian Americans.
For some reason, I clicked with this little Asian boy way more than I did with the white girls in the rest of the DA series...
January 23, 2014
Originally published as part of My Name Is America series. This reprint has an eye-catching cover that helps convince reluctant readers that history is NOT boring. Lots of great Gold Rush facts, photos, and maps in the back of the book.
August 7, 2017
When I was wandering the aisles of the Scholastic Book warehouse, I saw this book on the discount table. I've been making a very concerted effort to add books to my classroom library that have ethnically diverse protagonists as I work in an incredibly diverse school with children from all over the world. I immediately grabbed this book and added it to my shopping cart. Now that I have read the book, I am glad that I made the choice to introduce this book to my students. In fact, I think it would make a great companion piece to another book about the California Gold Rush called "By the Great Horn Spoon," which features a young white boy and his experiences during this momentous time in history.
This "diary" is the story of a young Chinese boy who is sent to California to help his uncle in California. The goal, of course, is for the family to strike it rich by finding as much gold as they can on "Gold Mountain." Runt, as he is known, makes new friends from around the world and soon learns about the difficulties of life in California in 1852/1853. This includes thieves, harsh weather, racism towards immigrants especially Chinese immigrants, and so much more. Because of Runt's intelligence and smarts, he is soon playing a pivotal role in his new community, learning many new tricks and secrets.
I liked this book because it provides a very different perspective on this time in history - that of the immigrant experience. It's nice to see books finally containing main characters who are not white. It allows kids to understand that the stories of others are just as important as the ones they are normally presented with. The book is easy to read and straightforward. I also appreciate that ithe book doesn't shy away from the more harsh aspects of life at this time. It acknowledges that people die, others survive to become successful, while still others fail and don't end up happy. It's honest, which I think kids like.
I am very happy that I will be adding this to my classroom library.
This "diary" is the story of a young Chinese boy who is sent to California to help his uncle in California. The goal, of course, is for the family to strike it rich by finding as much gold as they can on "Gold Mountain." Runt, as he is known, makes new friends from around the world and soon learns about the difficulties of life in California in 1852/1853. This includes thieves, harsh weather, racism towards immigrants especially Chinese immigrants, and so much more. Because of Runt's intelligence and smarts, he is soon playing a pivotal role in his new community, learning many new tricks and secrets.
I liked this book because it provides a very different perspective on this time in history - that of the immigrant experience. It's nice to see books finally containing main characters who are not white. It allows kids to understand that the stories of others are just as important as the ones they are normally presented with. The book is easy to read and straightforward. I also appreciate that ithe book doesn't shy away from the more harsh aspects of life at this time. It acknowledges that people die, others survive to become successful, while still others fail and don't end up happy. It's honest, which I think kids like.
I am very happy that I will be adding this to my classroom library.
December 31, 2017
I picked up this book because it was referenced by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman who wrote The Unbreakable Code (Book Scavenger #2). The tie in was a ship discovered under the bay of San Francisco which figured into the story. I was intrigued by the idea since I was aware of how many similar stories exist when cities seek to extend their usable land area into the waterfront. In this case there were so many ships that were parked and abandoned in the San Francisco Bay that the ships were not even moved but just had dirt filled in around them.
This was a very well written story of how Wong Ming-Chung was sent to the gold fields of California from China. Wong was a runt and not the choice that his uncle requested be sent to him, but his hard work and intelligence made him into a venerable citizen in the California west. The story of his voyage across the Pacific, his meeting of various nationalities and learning of different languages, the harsh realities of the bigotry against Chinese was presented in a way in which children could identify and see the world though this young man's eyes.
This was a very well written story of how Wong Ming-Chung was sent to the gold fields of California from China. Wong was a runt and not the choice that his uncle requested be sent to him, but his hard work and intelligence made him into a venerable citizen in the California west. The story of his voyage across the Pacific, his meeting of various nationalities and learning of different languages, the harsh realities of the bigotry against Chinese was presented in a way in which children could identify and see the world though this young man's eyes.
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June 4, 2023I remembered I loved these books as a kid, but wow, I love these books even still. They're such a valuable, real, way to introduce and teach history at a level that's approachable for young people, and even enjoyable to olde people like me. This book itself was another shining example of that. Well written, engaging, emotionally resonant, and observant in ways that are useful to learn from in today's world. Pretty much everything that reading is meant to be.
May 16, 2018
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung: A Chinese Miner, California, 1852 Is a Great book about a Chinese miner who was sent to America to earn money for his family in China. He has struggles and regrets but ends up making good money in the end. I would recommend this book to people who like historical fiction and suspense.
July 5, 2018
An interesting glimpse of the uglier side of the gold rush days. It was a lot of hard work and broken dreams, not the easy money that many believed. It's also a good lesson about the racism against foreigners, and the later focus on Asians. For kids, this should be a good introduction to this part of history.
November 14, 2020
Wong Ming-Chung and his Uncle are the main characters. The Uncle is picked on by family and dreams of going to America AKA Golden Mountain. One day his dream comes true but finds out the work is hard and the ways are very different in Golden Mountain.
The book is definitely the insight of a young person. Some stories are sad and others filled with optimism.
The book is definitely the insight of a young person. Some stories are sad and others filled with optimism.
March 7, 2022
I like this book because I learned so many thing about this book. Runt learned so many thing about China and America and what is the different between China and America? And how did Runt travel China to America and how did he survive during the Voyage? And how people died during the Voyage and how was he's experience about America. He and his Uncle help his family and Clan during difficulties.
September 16, 2022
This Dear America story focuses on a young Chinese boy, known as Runt, and his adventures in America during California’s gold rush days in 1852.
Formatted as a journal, Runt relays his experience as a younger, unappreciated son in China to becoming a valued worker alongside his uncle in America.
Cultural and historical insights make this a worthwhile classroom resource.
Formatted as a journal, Runt relays his experience as a younger, unappreciated son in China to becoming a valued worker alongside his uncle in America.
Cultural and historical insights make this a worthwhile classroom resource.
January 24, 2024
More like a 3.5 for me. I thought learning about the gold rush was really interesting but I honestly hate how there was so much more prejudice towards Chinese miners specifically. I know that it happened to all races back then, but it just seemed like the Chinese especially got it rough. But I respect Wong and his uncle for seeing it through despite all the rough times they were dealt with.
November 11, 2017
This books has me curious about the topic and interested to know how accurate this portrayal was. I think a lot of liberties were taken, but I still learned quite a bit about the different mining techniques used during the Gold rush as well as the culture of China back in the 1850s.
August 20, 2023
A solid story.
The book covers a part of American history I know very little about. I love hearing cultural details as well, including the cultural shock and misconceptions...as well as prejudices.
The narration kept things moving while also being detailed enough to keep me invested.
The book covers a part of American history I know very little about. I love hearing cultural details as well, including the cultural shock and misconceptions...as well as prejudices.
The narration kept things moving while also being detailed enough to keep me invested.
April 16, 2018
I thought it was very similar to Dragon's Gate and then realized it was Laurence Yep! Not as nuanced as Dragon's Gate but informative and engaging for a younger audience.
June 1, 2018
I’m disappointed that the main character was funny but mostly boring.
June 13, 2020
I like this book. Easy to read but with heavy heart. Proud of what he has achieved in
a hard way.
a hard way.
January 29, 2021
This is a good book that carries important information.
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July 11, 2022Chinese gold miners
February 27, 2023
I always forget how much I enjoy these books. I always learn so much. I love the historical notes at the end. This is definitely one that will stay with me.
September 2, 2024
I liked how this book is written from another angle of the gold rush that you don't often read about but is just as important, the Chinese immigrant side.
November 17, 2025
Age appropriate historical fiction. Gives a good description of the hardships Chinese immigrants faced without getting too detailed about how horrible it really was.
April 3, 2024
It just really makes me angry how some white people, especially Americans treat poc. Chinese, Blacks, Japanese, etc.
March 19, 2012
Being shipped off to California, to find money for his family, at a young age is not that pleasing. He was not the one that was suppose to go to California, and look for gold as big as melons. His cousin, Blessing, was suppose to go but his parents sent Ming-Chung instead. Staying in a boat, to get to California was appalling. Meeting new friends, losing them and dealing with theft, Ming-Chung could not wait to get to California. When he gets to California, life was not how it seemed in his imagination. There was never much time left for his studies, and his dream of being a scholar went away. However, when he got to California, he was admired by other Chinese miners because he could write Chinese letters to families back in the home country.
Life is tiring and Ming-Chung has to live through every single day of it not letting his family down. However, one day he learned how cruel this world really was. He tries to deal with all the lies and abuse that Americans are treating his people at the mining camp; looting their goods and demanding sky-high taxes.
Even though life is complicated, and he has to live his life with his Uncle, he still never gave up. He walked and searched for gold in over 20 abandoned camp sites, but he couldn't find anything. He is dealing with bullying and is trying to survive in a land where he doesn't know anyone. He never gives up at any point during the book. Ming-Chung is a strong kid, and will always stay strong.
Life is tiring and Ming-Chung has to live through every single day of it not letting his family down. However, one day he learned how cruel this world really was. He tries to deal with all the lies and abuse that Americans are treating his people at the mining camp; looting their goods and demanding sky-high taxes.
Even though life is complicated, and he has to live his life with his Uncle, he still never gave up. He walked and searched for gold in over 20 abandoned camp sites, but he couldn't find anything. He is dealing with bullying and is trying to survive in a land where he doesn't know anyone. He never gives up at any point during the book. Ming-Chung is a strong kid, and will always stay strong.
October 1, 2013
Bright Intelligence, better known as Runt, had started a diary so that future generations could know his journey to the Golden Mountain we know as America. Runt's life in Southern China in 1851 was not very pleasant. He lived with his father, mother, brother and his uncle Precious Stone. Runt and his family tended to their rice fields but barely made enough money to pay the taxes and buy food. And on top of all of that, when he went to school he would be beaten by his teacher and bullied by other children. Runt had an opportunity to escape his life in China by leaving with his uncle to search for a better life in America. Upon his arrival to America during the gold rush, Runt must learn a new language, culture and the brutal fact that he was just another foreigner trying to squelch on American gold and territories, at least that is what the other miners would say. Life in American would be harder than he ever imagined, but there was a glimmer of hope for his imagined dreams. Author Yep has put together an interesting day-to-day account of what it was like in China and America in the mid 1800's. Readers will be drawn in by the history of this era. Yep has provided historical notes in the back of the book along with pictures and sketches of Chinese miners during that time. This is an excellent account of American true stories that any middle grade reader or history buff would enjoy.
February 1, 2016
This story is about a young Chinese boy who lived in China around 1852. His Uncle goes to the U.S. to hunt for gold during the gold rush and Runt, as he refers to himself, ends up going to join his Uncle there.
It’s really interesting how they describe the journey to the U.S. and how harsh it could be. There is also a very interesting description of what the port looked like where the ship, and numerous other ships, had docked and been abandoned. Then there’s the description of the journey to the camp, the life in the camps, and especially the material showing just how hated the Chinese were and the dangers they were exposed to.
This is the type of hatred that led to various laws aimed at the Chinese and even later the was related to the type of hatred towards Japanese-Americans in the late 1800's and early 1900's, leading to the internment camps of the Forties.
There is also a moderate amount of material on the Chinese culture itself, so the book has a wide variety of material; it’s good reading throughout and it also has the normal historical section. Definitely one of the better books.
It’s really interesting how they describe the journey to the U.S. and how harsh it could be. There is also a very interesting description of what the port looked like where the ship, and numerous other ships, had docked and been abandoned. Then there’s the description of the journey to the camp, the life in the camps, and especially the material showing just how hated the Chinese were and the dangers they were exposed to.
This is the type of hatred that led to various laws aimed at the Chinese and even later the was related to the type of hatred towards Japanese-Americans in the late 1800's and early 1900's, leading to the internment camps of the Forties.
There is also a moderate amount of material on the Chinese culture itself, so the book has a wide variety of material; it’s good reading throughout and it also has the normal historical section. Definitely one of the better books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews