Review: Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class

Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class by Larry Tye

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well researched, particularly in light of the difficulty in finding living Pullman Porters and setting up opportunities for oral testimony/history with them. Its one of the particular joys of reading a history book when it covers something that is seemingly forgotten, and may only get a sentence, if that, in a normal history textbook. The transition of African-Americans who were slaves in the South to working on these luxury sleeping cars is fascinating, including everything from their status among themselves, with their individual communities, and as compared to larger society as well. The book doesn't sugarcoat the life, and while the story is amazing, its also a sad reminder that nothing better was available to these men because of the color of their skin. It was also interesting to read the impact the founding of the Porters' Union had on other labor movements, as well as the greater civil rights movement.

Fascinating read on a small segment of our history but a very important and impactful part of history. Worthy read.



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