In the 1800s; when California was captivated by gold fever; a small group of Chinese immigrants recognized the fortune to be made from the untapped resources along the state’s coast; particularly from harvesting the black abalone of southern and Baja California. These immigrants; with skills from humble beginnings in a traditional Chinese fishing province; founded California’s commercial abalone industry; and led its growth and expansion for several decades. By the turn of the twentieth century; however; their successful livelihood was stolen from them through targeted legislation of the U.S. and California governments.Today; the physical evidence of historical Chinese abalone fishing on the mainland has been erased by development. On California’s Channel Islands; however; remnants of temporary abalone collecting and processing camps lie scattered along the coastlines. These sites hold a treasure trove of information; stories; lifeways; and history. Braje has excavated many of these sites and uses them to explore the history of Chinese abalone fishing; presenting a microcosm of the broader history of Chinese immigrants in America—their struggles; their successes; the institutionalized racism they faced; and the unique ways in which they helped to shape the identity of the United States.
#1525030 in Books Kent State Univ Pr 2013-03-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.30 x 6.40l; 1.85 #File Name: 160635132X400 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A Detailed account of Grant's Sixth OffensiveBy R. SimonThe Petersburg Campaign lasted over nine months. This book takes on one month of that campaign; October 1864. If a reader is looking for a detailed account of this period; the book does so wonderfully. Because it covers just one month of the Petersburg campaign; it should not be the first book you read on the subject. I had just toured the Petersburg battlefield and had read some general books on the subject so I found the book very understandable while at the same time broadening my understanding of the campaign. The author writes in a style that is clear and he doesn't fall into the trap of using obscure terminology or flowery language just to impress the reader. I appreciated that he covered both the battlefield tactics and the personalities involved.I completed the book by a combination of reading some chapters and by listening to others via the audible.com recording. The book had the advantage of very good maps and a section of interesting photos. That said; if you are a commuter and audio works better; the narrator did a fine job.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. South Side RoadBy richard m rocconThis book required some tenacity; but delivered in the home stretch. Not until the reader begins the South Side Road effort does the payoff become tangible. Maps are OK; not superior; but helpful. The maps might be the one really weak link in the chain.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant; Original; and a Must-Read.By MilitarybooksDespite its rich complexity; bloody battles; wide-ranging maneuvers; importance to the war; and amazing cast of characters and events; precious few books exist on the Petersburg Campaign in general; and its individual episodes in particular. Richard Summers broke new ground in 1980 with his well-received (if oddly titled) Richmond Redeemed: The Petersburg Campaign; a micro-study of the late September-early October 1864 "Fifth Offensive." Three decades on; Hampton Newsome's masterful "Richmond Must Fall" dissects the early October Darbytown Road battles north of the James River before digging into the Union's ambitious "Sixth Offensive" later that month.Gen. U. S. Grant's large-scale operation on October 27; 1864; outside Petersburg and Richmond threatened to affect the outcome of the upcoming November presidential election. The capture of Atlanta and victories in the Shenandoah Valley all but cemented Lincoln's reelection; but a decisive defeat threatened to undue these successes. As a result; Grant's effort unfolded beneath both military and political storm clouds.The book opens with the Darbytown Road actions of October 7; including Johnson's Farm and New Market Road; a series of failed Confederate offensive operations conducted directly under Gen. Robert E. Lee's eye north of the James River southeast of Richmond. Earlier Union offensives had captured important stretches of the Southern lines there; and Lee intended to rectify the situation and strike a heavy blow in return. These small-scale battles are fascinating and but little known; which makes learning about them that much more interesting.The balance and bulk of Newsome's study covers the Sixth Offensive southwest of Petersburg. The operation consisted of three Union corps (2nd; 5th; and 9th) and cavalry designed to outflank the Rebel earthworks near Hatcher's Run and then drive northwest several miles to cut the vital South Side Railroad. Coincident with this movement was Ben Butler's two-corps (10th and 18th) effort opposite the Confederate capital; where his orders to demonstrate and pin the enemy turned into attacks with heavy losses. Riven by a lack of coordination; exceedingly poor maps and intelligence; faulty decision-making; and tardy marches; the under-strength move below Petersburg fell apart rather quickly. As the sources demonstrate; large swaths of the Confederate lines were barely (if at all) occupied; firm Union generalship would have cleaved it open and exposed the South Side Railroad to destruction. Hancock' 2nd Corps (a weak two-division flanking arm) was fortunate to avoid the fate of another Reams Station. Ultimately; sharp fighting but no heavy battles took place; and Grant called off the effort.Newsome evaluates every engagement and maneuver from both perspectives and explains the strategies behind each high-level decision. His word portraits offer compelling views of the thoughts and actions of the generals and colonels; while excerpts from enlisted men provide a grass-level viewshed so readers can slip on their own boots and fight through the eyes of those hoisting the rifled-muskets and tasked with assaulting earthworks. The entire book is supported by a plethora of excellent maps that are absolutely crucial to understanding the complex narrative.Richmond Must Fall is a battle purist's dream. Newsome's study is built upon a rock-solid foundation of hundreds of archival sources; newspapers; journals; letters; books; and a keen understanding of the terrain. Unlike many tactical studies; which simply move one regimental block here and another there; Newsome skillfully weaves personalities and command styles around political issues (both inside and outside the army); sets forth how decisions were made and by whom; and then carries the readers along every step of the way. His deft handling of the myriad detail is seamless; and his prose smooth and enjoyable. The final chapter; "Grant's Sixth Offensive Considered;" is a brilliant synopsis with post-battle biographical detail of many participants.Because no decisive battles were fought during the Sixth Offensive; the effort faded from view and receives but little attention today. "Names such as Darbytown Road; Johnson's Farm; New Market Road; Burgess Mill; Hatcher's Run; Boydton Plank Road; Bull Pen; Second Fair Oaks; Williamsburg Road; and Nine Mile Road;" writes the author; "would retain special meaning for the veterans who suffered through those battles." These actions will offer readers a "special meaning" as well; since nearly all of it is completely new and available nowhere else.Don't let the fictional-looking jacket design fool you. Find a copy of this book and lose yourself in a battle study against which others should now be measured. My lone complaint is the steep price tag of $65.00; which may well prevent a large number of otherwise interested readers from ever owning this book. (As of this writing; it seems unavailable as an e-book).--Ted Savas
