Red Altar is a compelling and important immigrant story that follows three generations of the Chinese family that started the still thriving fishing industry on California's Monterey Coast.

Based on real people and real events, this American story begins in 1850 with six teenagers who embarked upon a hair-raising journey from China to a shipwreck landing in California’s Carmel Bay. Despite waves of increasingly intense anti-Chinese policies and prejudice throughout the latter half of the 19th century and into the 20th century, the Quock family triumphs over racism again and again.

Red Altar is rich with detail of early California life, romance, sibling relationships, heartbreaking setbacks, and courageous comebacks. It celebrates their lives, challenges, success, and contributions to America, particularly relevant today as it continues to struggle with immigration, anti-immigrant laws, and Asian hate and violence.

The story is based on the author's research using both family and public documents. Originally, a multi-media story theater performance played across the country to standing ovations, it is now this book for you to hold in your hands and share.

Nancy Wang

Books