Julia Flynn Siler Livres

During the first hundred years of Chinese immigration--from 1848 to 1943--San Francisco was home to a shockingly extensive underground slave trade in Asian women, who were exploited as prostitutes and indentured servants. In this gripping, necessary book, bestselling author Julia Flynn Siler shines a light on this little-known chapter in our history--and gives us a vivid portrait of the safe house to which enslaved women escaped. The Occidental Mission Home, situated on the edge of Chinatown, served as a gateway to freedom for thousands. Run by a courageous group of female Christian abolitionists, it survived earthquakes, fire, bubonic plague, and violent attacks. We meet Dolly Cameron, who ran the home from 1899 to 1934, and Tien Fuh Wu, who arrived at the house as a young child after her abuse as a household slave drew the attention of authorities. Wu would grow up to become Cameron's translator, deputy director, and steadfast friend. Siler shows how Dolly and her colleagues defied convention and even law--physically rescuing young girls from brothels, snatching them from their smugglers--and how they helped bring the exploiters to justice. Riveting and revelatory, The White Devil's Daughters is a timely, extraordinary account of oppression, resistance, and hope.

Set against the backdrop of California's Napa Valley, this narrative chronicles the rise and fall of the Mondavi family, who built a global wine empire. It explores themes of genius, sibling rivalry, and betrayal over four generations, beginning with Italian immigrant Cesare Mondavi in 1906. Award-winning journalist Julia Flynn vividly captures the family's journey, culminating in a dramatic twenty-first-century battle over their billion-dollar legacy, revealing the complexities of ambition and familial ties.

The narrative centers on the dramatic conflict between the native Polynesian population and encroaching capitalist forces, showcasing the Hawaiian Kingdom's tumultuous history. It features a rich array of characters, including royalty, sugar barons, and missionaries, all contributing to the sweeping tale. Lili'uokalani, the last queen of Hawai'i, serves as the focal point, embodying the struggles and resilience of her people amid the challenges posed by external powers.