'' The Immigrants '' ( 1977 ) is a historical novel written by Howard Fast . Set in San Francisco during the early 20th Century , it tells the story of Daniel Lavette , a self described " roughneck " who rises from the ashes of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and becomes one of the most successful and dominating figures in San Francisco . The book hit number 5 on '' New York Times '' adult best seller list on November 6 , 1977
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
The Immigrants