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

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Strategies for EmpowermentBy Purple DragonRising From The Rails tells an important story of the transition of black labor after the Civil War from slavery to freedom. After emancipation; African Americans looked for employment in a variety of venues. With the growth of railroads; George Pullman popularized a new travel experience--the sleeping car. Pullman instituted and combined a number of features that made rail travel luxurious--safety features; expanded car size; shock-absorbing wheels and "trained" personal attendants-- the porters. One of the most important aspects was the personal service offered by these porters. To recruit porters; Pullman drew heavily from the dark skinned former slaves of the Deep South. This was done because these newly freed men fulfilled many of stereotypes of the period that centered on docility and presumption of an inherent ability to provide personal service while being friendly and discreet.This gave the ex-slaves and subsequent African American workers a degree of freedom of movement and economic opportunity heretofore unknown in this community. Though these jobs were some of the best available; they were at best a mixed blessing. The jobs were highly regimented with a strict; codified rule book covering nearly every eventuality. The smallest infraction could result in suspension and termination. This made for some tense times for the porters. The conditions though not as difficult as some agricultural pursuit were very challenging---long trips; long hours; minimal facilities for sleeping; dressing; etc.Out of the need to establish more reasonable and equitable pay and working conditions; the porters under the leadership of A. Philip Randolph established the first black trade union in the United States. Through a number of strategies; the porters won recognition of their union with the Pullman Company and did improve the lot of their workers. The union also exerted national influence on a number of issues which served to expand opportunity for African Americans--desegregation of wartime industry.A. Philip Randolph was the pioneer that proposed a March on Washington in the forties. Though the march never took place; the mere threat of the march got results. He subsequently served as the prime organizer of the actual March on Washington in 1968.Many of the tactics which would be applied during the 1950s-1960s Civil Rights struggles were developed and tried by the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. These porters used their economic opportunities to strengthen their families and provide an avenue for many of their children to enter the middle class.This is a wonderful story of the unique and important chapter in American and African American labor history. Tye tells the larger labor history as well as the significant personal stories of the porters which puts a human face on these struggles for equality.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A piece of America's social historyBy Donald SwingleIf you love modern American social history you may love this book; so much of it in the actual words of the Pullman porters who experienced it. An amazing amount or research; it is apparent; went into it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A little known history and it's legacyBy C. Ellen ConnallyLarry Tye does a wonderful job of not only telling the story of the Pullman porters but also telling of the age in which they lived that includes a history of the railroad industry in America. He tells how Pullman Porters got by and what they did to survive. In several instances; he also shows how even though there was not always good blood between the white conductors and other white workers and the Pullman Porters; there were times when they had to work together.For older African American readers the book is a trip down memory lane; allowing them to recall stories of fathers; realitives and family friends who were Pullman porters. For younger African Americans its a great lesson in history - and in a sense far more relevant than stories of how slaves got by. For White Americans its a look at how their grandparents and great grandparents looked at African Americans.Included in the story of the Pullman porters is the story of A. Phillip Randolph and his sometimes lost story and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.One of the important things that I came away from this book with was the legacy that that these men - and few women- passed on to their children and the number of significant African Americans who hold significant places in American life because of the hard work and savings of a Pullman Porter who took degredation so that their children could go to college.This book should be required reading in every African American History class! It's readable and comprehensive.On page nine there is one small error. Tye refers to a "lanky lawyer with whiskers from Springfield named Abraham Lincoln" who road the rails. Lincoln did not acquire his beard until after his election in 1860.