A review by marywahlmeierbracciano
Ghosts of Gold Mountain: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad by Gordon H. Chang

challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

Ghosts of Gold Mountain is one of very few books chronicling the fascinating story of the Chinese workers who built much of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.  Even as not a single firsthand account from the Railroad Chinese has been found, Chang does a great job of piecing together what little exists in historical records.  He paints a picture of enterprising young men from the Pearl River Delta, dreaming of Gold Mountain fortune, who brought their culture with them to California and beyond.  Despite their incredible accomplishments—hand-built tunnels and retaining walls, endless miles of efficiently-laid track, and a successful strike—the Railroad Chinese were dehumanized to the point of being nameless and numberless, most even to this day.  It’s a shame we don’t know more, but this book is a great start.
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