Review of Shanghai'd

Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine · Post by **Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine** » 02 Jun 2025, 02:11

[Following is a volunteer review of "Shanghai'd" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]

4 out of 5 stars

Share This Review

Shanghai’d by Curtis Stephen Burdick is an epic historical fiction.

In the mid-19th century, precisely in the year 1848, the news came that gold had been found in California. Plenty of gold just lying around, waiting to be picked. When the news reached him, Mr Moffet, whose minting business made him one of the most powerful businessmen of his time, decided to organize an expedition to California. Among the people he chose for this adventure, was twenty-four years old Joshua, a Harvard Graduate who is passionate about metallurgy and making modern armament. At first, Joshua is reluctant to go. His work with Colt is essential to him, and he has Martha as his love interest. But the promise of earning enough funds to open his laboratory convinced him to go. They boarded the fastest ship they could find, en route to San Francisco. The trip was uncomfortable and not without danger. When they finally arrived at their destination, San Francisco was no more than a village of less than eight hundred people. With the help of the Chief Engineer, Keyes, and Ethan his assistant and Moffet’s nephew, they established their new venture very quickly and were exporting the gold. A new love interest and grief pushed Joshua into a deep depression.

Later on, there was a twist that the reader wouldn’t see coming. While both Joshua and Ethan were drunk in a brothel, they were kidnapped and sold to ship officers. At that time, it was difficult to hold on to a crew as the newfound gold fields were alluring the men away. Sailors were needed desperately to fill out the crew and get the ships sailing again, and the ships' officers resulted in kidnapping and human trafficking. These ships would go from port to port, braving the high seas, facing the worst weather and the pirates until they reached Shanghai. Hence the term for those who were forcefully taken to be called the Shanghai’d.

I loved reading Shanghai’d. It is well-written, and the author offers detailed descriptions of the places and the people. The scenes are well-narrated and the characters well-developed. The author also offers real historical facts. The story takes place at the beginning of the California gold rush, and it is fascinating to see how places like San Francisco evolved. New businesses were developed, and there were new opportunities. The gold fever was exciting but also disappointing for those who couldn’t get as rich as they first expected. Nevertheless, the gold rush caused the movement of people, the creation of new cities, new routes, a much more. I believe the content of this book was well-researched to offer accurate descriptions that transported the readers to that time.

There were a few grammatical errors, but they did not take away my enjoyment of this book. Because of these, I have to deduct a star despite me. I don’t have any other negative thing to write about this book. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Some things might offend or shock the reader. But I understand that the author added these to describe society as it was in the years 1800s. For example, words that were used back then, such as ‘Red Indians’ to refer to the Native Americans, will be perceived as offensive today. And other aspects that are not acceptable today, young Annabelle who is Joshua's love interest in San Francisco is only 17.
I recommend this book to a mature audience, particularly those who love epic and adventure stories.

******
Shanghai'd
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 27 Jun 2025, 17:06

I enjoy reading stories about the Gold Rush in the Wild West. Life was tough, everything was new, people risked their lives to seek their dreams, and pirates and gangsters were part of daily life. This review of Shanghai'd has me intrigued. I am adding it to my bookshelves.

Chi Chiu Michael Mak · Post by **Chi Chiu Michael Mak** » 07 Jul 2025, 15:10

Yasmine ZM wrote: ↑02 Jun 2025, 02:11 [Following is a volunteer review of "Shanghai'd" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]

4 out of 5 stars
Share This Review

Shanghai’d by Curtis Stephen Burdick is an epic historical fiction.

In the mid-19th century, precisely in the year 1848, the news came that gold had been found in California. Plenty of gold just lying around, waiting to be picked. When the news reached him, Mr Moffet, whose minting business made him one of the most powerful businessmen of his time, decided to organize an expedition to California. Among the people he chose for this adventure, was twenty-four years old Joshua, a Harvard Graduate who is passionate about metallurgy and making modern armament. At first, Joshua is reluctant to go. His work with Colt is essential to him, and he has Martha as his love interest. But the promise of earning enough funds to open his laboratory convinced him to go. They boarded the fastest ship they could find, en route to San Francisco. The trip was uncomfortable and not without danger. When they finally arrived at their destination, San Francisco was no more than a village of less than eight hundred people. With the help of the Chief Engineer, Keyes, and Ethan his assistant and Moffet’s nephew, they established their new venture very quickly and were exporting the gold. A new love interest and grief pushed Joshua into a deep depression.

Later on, there was a twist that the reader wouldn’t see coming. While both Joshua and Ethan were drunk in a brothel, they were kidnapped and sold to ship officers. At that time, it was difficult to hold on to a crew as the newfound gold fields were alluring the men away. Sailors were needed desperately to fill out the crew and get the ships sailing again, and the ships' officers resulted in kidnapping and human trafficking. These ships would go from port to port, braving the high seas, facing the worst weather and the pirates until they reached Shanghai. Hence the term for those who were forcefully taken to be called the Shanghai’d.

I loved reading Shanghai’d. It is well-written, and the author offers detailed descriptions of the places and the people. The scenes are well-narrated and the characters well-developed. The author also offers real historical facts. The story takes place at the beginning of the California gold rush, and it is fascinating to see how places like San Francisco evolved. New businesses were developed, and there were new opportunities. The gold fever was exciting but also disappointing for those who couldn’t get as rich as they first expected. Nevertheless, the gold rush caused the movement of people, the creation of new cities, new routes, a much more. I believe the content of this book was well-researched to offer accurate descriptions that transported the readers to that time.

There were a few grammatical errors, but they did not take away my enjoyment of this book. Because of these, I have to deduct a star despite me. I don’t have any other negative thing to write about this book. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Some things might offend or shock the reader. But I understand that the author added these to describe society as it was in the years 1800s. For example, words that were used back then, such as ‘Red Indians’ to refer to the Native Americans, will be perceived as offensive today. And other aspects that are not acceptable today, young Annabelle who is Joshua's love interest in San Francisco is only 17.
I recommend this book to a mature audience, particularly those who love epic and adventure stories.

******
Shanghai'd
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

I would like to read more tales related to the California Gold Rush. The book you reviewed offers a good start. Thanks for the recommendation!

Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine · Post by **Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine** » 09 Jul 2025, 05:02

Chi Chiu Michael Mak wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025, 15:10 I would like to read more tales related to the California Gold Rush. The book you reviewed offers a good start. Thanks for the recommendation!

It is an interesting book; you will love it

Post by **Kutloano Makhuvhela** » 14 Jul 2025, 08:58

I have read this book a long ago. I must say, I found it unique and so captivating. Thank you for sharing the review with us. Keep 'em coming.

Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 14 Jul 2025, 22:22

A very interesting book about Gold Rush! Your review captivated me quickly! Thanks for your detailed review!

Etimbuk Eshiet · Post by **Etimbuk Eshiet** » Yesterday, 01:22

This review really made me curious about Shanghai’d! I love how you highlighted both the historical depth and the emotional twists in the story. The fact that it includes real events from the gold rush era makes it even more compelling. It’s sad to think about how people were kidnapped and forced into labor back then, but I appreciate how the author didn’t shy away from portraying that dark part of history. Thanks for the heads-up about some of the outdated language—it’s good to know the context. This sounds like a gritty, well-researched adventure.