In Moving Mountains, Brian Chang relays his fantastical journey out of an impoverished childhood during the Cultural Revolution and his years living in hardship on a collective farm in rural China to the success and happiness he found in America. Told in a lively and original voice, Chang’s memoir reveals the history and politics of his era through the eyes of a deeply observant and determined young man. The many people who shaped his story come to life on these pages—his mother who did not eat in order to feed her children, Mr. Wu who risked the police to share his knowledge, and “Grandma” Mary Quillan who welcomed him into her Minnesota home. His love of learning propels him forward as he faces one challenge after another, surmounting each with character and courage.
As his longtime friend Adam Pillsbury writes in the Afterword:
[The story] is an inspiring illustration of how far a person can travel, physically and metaphorically, in a single lifetime and an ode to hope in the face of adversity.
Brian Chang, born in Tianjin, China, was one of the educated youth sent to work hard labor on rural farms during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He rose above his devastating situation by learning English, and eventually received an undergraduate degree from Changsha Railway Academy as one of the country’s well-known Class of 1977, a group so talented they moved on to significant positions in China and the West. Brian graduated from the University of Minnesota with an MBA, became a United States citizen, and worked in securing business partnerships between the U.S. and China.
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Five star reviews on Amazon:
A great book by a great man!
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This story needs to be a movie.
I finished this book in two sittings because it was so captivating.
Five-Star Review from Readers Views:
Through his rich imagery and lucid storytelling, Chang transports readers to a pivotal period in China. . . His escape from China and his long-lasting and prosperous career thereafter offer important insights into self-belief, self-motivation, and resilience. For those who are ready to start over in new areas, “Moving Mountains” by Brian Chang will leave a lasting inspiring impression.
As I read I was cheering Brian on, excited by every advancement he made in spite of ridiculous and sometimes absurd roadblocks. Would I have been so tenacious? I finished reading the book last Thursday, and I’m going to start over. There’s so much Chinese history to absorb and insights into how the government and industry began to modernize under duress. Brian Chang is a man of great character!