Full of Gold: Growing Up in Salinas Chinatown Living in Post War America (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781508807377)

Blanche Chin Ah Tye (pronounced "Ah Tie")., shares nearly a century of living and growing up in California as a Chinese American. She takes us back to the early days on a heartfelt journey from in Salinas, California Chinatown to the mainstream of American culture. From the simple perspective of this one woman, we can see how people of a radically foreign culture have been able to survive and even thrive in America. Blanche was the eldest daughter of ten children and helped with all the household chores. Families living in Salinas, Chinatown in the early 1900's were all immigrants, so she learned much about Chinese culture and tradition. She hopes to pass this knowledge on to younger generations. Although born in America, Blanche is more Chinese than American. According to her daughters, "Her reserve and modesty almost hide her great heart, hard work, organizational skills, generosity, thriftiness, intelligence, sociability and resilience." She has a clear memory of her early years, so the reader gets a vivid picture of key Chinese cultural values, especially the importance of family, community and food. Nothing is fictional. "Full of Gold" covers her life growing up in Salinas, Chinatown, living through World War II, moving to Stockton, California, and marrying into the big Ah Tye family -- which exposed her to modern Americanized thinking, activities and cuisine - as well as raising a family in the 1950's. Blanche's favorite recipes are also included, in hopes of preserving her love of cooking, especially Chinese food.