In the Sea of Sterile Mountains

In the Sea of Sterile Mountains chronicles the history of Chinese Canadians in British Columbia from 1858 to the early 1970s. The book draws from newspaper articles, editorials, and Royal Commission reports spanning over a century to document this complex period. Morton focuses primarily on the non-Chinese community's response to Chinese immigration and settlement in British Columbia. Through extensive use of historical records and media coverage, the book reconstructs the social and political climate that Chinese residents faced during this era. The narrative examines key events, policies, and public discourse that shaped relations between Chinese and non-Chinese communities in British Columbia. The title comes from an 1874 parliamentary speech describing British Columbia as "an inhospitable country, a sea of sterile mountains." The book stands as a significant historical account that illuminates the roots of racial tensions and immigration debates in Canadian history, though it notably emphasizes the perspective of the non-Chinese population rather than that of the Chinese community itself.

Limited reviews exist online for this book about Chinese immigration to Canada. Most readers mention using it as a historical reference rather than reading it cover-to-cover. Readers value: - Detailed documentation of anti-Chinese legislation - Coverage of newspaper accounts and political debates - Primary source materials and photographs - Focus on British Columbia's history specifically Main criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Outdated terminology (published 1974) - Limited availability/out of print - Narrow scope focused on legal/political aspects No ratings available on Goodreads or Amazon. The book appears in academic citations and library collections but has few public reviews. One university library review notes it "remains a standard reference work on anti-Chinese racism in BC" while a history student's blog post describes it as "thorough but dry."

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🍁 The title "sea of sterile mountains" comes from Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie's 1874 speech, using harsh geography as a metaphor for the unwelcoming social climate Chinese immigrants faced. 📰 The book draws extensively from six major British Columbia newspapers, including The British Colonist and The Vancouver Sun, to paint a picture of public sentiment over 100+ years. ⛏️ The timeline begins in 1858, coinciding with the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, which brought the first significant wave of Chinese immigrants to British Columbia. 📜 Morton's research reveals how local media coverage directly influenced government policies, including the infamous Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (known as the Chinese Exclusion Act). 🏛️ The book was published in 1974, just three years before the Canadian government officially acknowledged and began addressing historical discrimination against Chinese Canadians through policy changes.