Reviews (2)

Excellent overview by one of our foremost immigration scholars
Most popular discussions of contemporary U.S. immigration ignore history and the "facts on the ground." Massey lays out the history of Mexico-U.S. migration. He provides convincing evidence that stepped-up border enforcement efforts since the early 1990s have been both deadly and counterproductive. He argues forcefully for an immigration policy that takes the realities of U.S.-Mexican social and economic integration into account. Readers who are convinced that immigration is a bad thing in itself will not be persuaded by Massey to change their minds; those who are interested in a dispassionate discussion of border control issues will find this book provocative and useful.

Ver yslow due to heavy facts yet compensates at the end
The book speaks of the continuing problems with immgration due to border policies between America and Mexico.Out of about 9 chapters eight are facts and figures charts and graphs and only the last chapter is thought provoking.In it the authors give their opinion of how America's border policies should change in order to accomodate Mexican immigrants- they made good points that leaves you somewhat satisfied after a mind numbing 8 chapters of...????But For research purposes and stats I would definately recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Public Policy - General    4. Sociology    5. Immigration & emigration    6. Mexico   

Reviews (1)

One of the best.
DPs: Europe's Displaced Persons, 1945-1951 is one of the best written history books about a time often ignored by most authors.Read more

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Military - World War II    6. Modern - 20th Century    7. Refugees    8. Western Europe - General    9. World War II - Europe    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Civil rights & citizenship    12. Europe    13. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    14. Immigration & emigration    15. Jewish studies    16. Political oppression & persecution    17. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (3)

The sine qua non for understanding immigration to America
Roger Daniels second edition of "Coming to America" is masterful.There is no other book, I believe, that is more authoritative by way of explaining immigration to the United States during the final third of the twentieth century.And for those interested in exploring the story extending back to the European settlement of North America since the seventeenth century, "Coming to America" is also the place to begin.Daniels narrates this history, in all of its pain, complexity, and brilliance, with a thorough-going understanding of its twists and turns.This book merits its place on the shelf of often-consulted staples in every American's home library.

Must have if you do a lot of genealogy!
This is an outstanding book that every genealogical society should own, as well as serious genealogist.The book provides information in both an overview format as well as ethnic group specific information.The price isright - add it to your collection of materials - you will not be sorry.

A Great Reference Piece.
Encyclopedic in scope, this work is a great primer for anyone interested in developing a clearer sense of what America's "immigrant beginnings" truly means.Although the book sometimes fluctuates awkwardly between tedious number crunching and smooth novelistic writing, they ultimately balance out to give the reader intriguing stories supported by pertinent statistics.This work is highly readable and quite enlightening. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Ethnic relations    4. Ethnology    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Immigrants    9. Minorities    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. History / United States / General   

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Sociology    3. Civil rights & citizenship    4. Economic statistics    5. Immigration & emigration   

Subjects:  1. Alien labor    2. California    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. General    5. Labor unions    6. Los Angeles    7. Organizing    8. Political Ideologies - General    9. Social Science    10. Sociology   

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Social Science    3. Emigration and immigration    4. Economics | Demography    5. Immigration & emigration    6. Social Science / Demography    7. Labor    8. Sociology   

Reviews (1)

A More Than Adaquate Introduction
Unlike so many books on the Japanese Colonial Empire which tend to be quite narrow on their focus, this compulation covers the entire empire, formal and informal.Also to its credit, the essays inside are a good mixture of specifically focused and more broadly outlined writings.Overall it is a good buy for any level, from those just beginning to learn colonial history to those much more well versed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Asia    3. Asia - Japan    4. Colonies    5. East Asia    6. Economic policy    7. Emigration & Immigration    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. Japan    12. Politics and government    13. Asian and Asian American Studies    14. Colonization & independence    15. History / Japan   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Egypt    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. History    5. Middle East - General    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Relations    8. Slavery    9. Sociology    10. Sudan    11. 20th century    12. ASIA    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 1500 to c 1900    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    15. Colonization & independence    16. History / General    17. Nationalism    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain    19. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (2)

Eye opener.
If you want to know more about the United States and the real stories about the people who build it and live there, this is the book for you. This isn't about the people who came over on the boats in black & white times; it's about the people who are coming here now. It discusses how the land we live in is being sculpted by the immigrants who arrive every day. I think people forget how incredibly diverse the United States is. And people most certainly forget about the challenges and triumphs of the people who come to the U.S. from other lands, and why they came in the first place. The authors clearly describe the stories of the people who make America 'America'.

Attributes that enable immigrants to assimilate US culture.
Immigrant America cites the Immigration Act of 1965 and world politics and economy as reasons for the second wave of immigrants in the twentiethcentury.The Act encouraged existing immigrants to bring members of theirimmediate families into the United States outside of government createdquotas.Immigrants with "special skills" such as physicians, andprofessional engineers were given preference.In addition, certainrefugees were given some preference. The majority of Immigrants after1965 came from Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean Islands.There wasimmigration from European countries but in less numbers than in thenineteenth and early twentieth centuries.Immigrants from Asia includedrefugees from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and opportunity seekers from SouthKorea and China.Latin American and Caribbean immigrants came for similarreasons.Read more

Subjects:  1. Americanization    2. Anthropology - General    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. Immigrants    9. Minority Studies - Ethnic American    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Sociology - General    13. United States    14. Civil rights & citizenship    15. Ethnic studies    16. Immigration & emigration    17. Social Science / Sociology / General    18. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Emigration and immigration    3. Ethnic Issues    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. Ethnic groups    6. Government policy    7. Multiculturalism    8. Nationalism    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Ethnic studies    12. Social Science / Ethnic Studies   

Reviews (3)

Great book for all to read
Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (7/06)
Finding Your Chicago Ancestors
This book was a true pleasure to read! GraceDumelle has taken what could be a very complicated topic, and she haspresented it in an organized and easy to follow format.
How to make the most of 'hidden documents', how to overcome common records-seeking problems and much more
If your family tree includes Chicago roots, you better make sure a copy of Finding Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide To Family History In The City And Cook County is on your shelf: family historian Grace DuMdelle shows how and what to research in a Chicago-specific guide to genealogy which covers everything from local resources to Chicago research facilities and how to access them. Any beginner can use Finding Your Chicago Ancestors because it also covers important changes in search routines, how to make the most of 'hidden documents', how to overcome common records-seeking problems and much more.
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Subjects:  1. Chicago (Ill.)    2. Cook County (Ill.)    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. Genealogy    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Reference    8. United States - State & Local - Midwest    9. Chicago    10. Illinois   

Reviews (2)

I loved this book!
Finding Manana was one of the best books I've ever read! Written by a New York Times journalist, Finding Manana is very well written. Sixteen when she and her family left Cuba for Miami during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, Mirta Ojito provides fascinating insight into what life was like growing up in a counter-revolutionary family in 1970s Cuba. The writer has an superb eye for detail. For anyone interested in Cuban history and the 1980 Mariel boatlift, this book is a must!

Finding Manana
I chose to read Finding Manana: A memoir of a Cuban Exodus. My father fled communist Cuba and its history has always fascinated me. I enjoyed every page of this book and it was hard for me to put it down because I loved the author's natural style and interesting topics. Although I have a special interest in Cuban history, I believe that anyone who enjoys reading historical non-fiction, would find this novel to be interesting. Finding Manana is a touching story about a young girl trying to find her identity where it is most difficult; in a communist country.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Caribbean & West Indies - Cuba    5. Cuba - History    6. Emigration & Immigration    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Social Situations And Conditions    10. Women    11. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

Insightful, brilliant book on immigration
This intelligently-written book contains a nuanced discussion of immigrant incorporation in the United States. It updates and clarifies "assimilation" theory, and describes how it can be applied to understanding how immigrants become part of American society. I recommend it to anyone interested in a thoughtful discussion of these issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Minority Studies - Ethnic American    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - General    6. Immigration & emigration    7. Multicultural studies    8. Social Science / Emigration & Immigration    9. USA   

Reviews (2)

Long, Tedious, but Masterful None-the-less
This book was a challenge to read.The first two hundred and fifty pages are as dull as any social science you're likely to read and the last hundred and fifty pages lack anything like a conclusion or summary chapter.None the less, you have to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the majesty of this work.
A bit large but worth it over all
I studied this book in high school as part of my background research into colonialism and "American" life before the revolution.I have always been fond of history and wars so I possess a great deal moremotivation to read a book of such immense proportions.The size isintimidating and unfortunately seems to discourage continued research fromthe layman reader because of the detail into which it ventures, which isthe only reason I marked it down one star.On the whole, though, I foundit to be an enjoyable experience for use in finding out key facets ofhistory that typically are not focused on.Obviously, as a high schoolerand even after I graduated I have not come close to reading all of thealmost-700 pages of material.Nonetheless, what I have read offered agreat insight into the lives of the time.Historians today dehumanize ourheritage into simple fact and fiction, myth and reality while playing outthe major occurences of the past.Voyagers to the West instead focuses onpeople as they struggle through trial and tribulation to acheive a goalthat is never deemed to be necessarily "American," but is stillsomething special as anyone who has ever desired something can relate to. This book goes into great detail, possibly too much for the common,semi-interested reader, to explain and convey that history is built aroundmultitudes of "the little people" who forged ahead andestablished a precedence through their actions that altered perceptions andlives.It tells the true battles of the Revolution.Not battles situatedaround guns and generals, but rathr around individuals who had to strugglewith more prominent enemies, themselves.It is a wonderful and I saynecessary element of history to look at.It might be more comforting ifthe book was a bit smaller as the reader may feel compelled to move on fromlengthy passages; otherwise, the book is more than worth it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. British    3. Emigration & Immigration    4. Emigration and immigration    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: American    9. Immigrants    10. North America    11. United States - Colonial Period    12. History / General    13. Sociology & social issues    14. USA   

Features

• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. History    5. Latin America - Mexico    6. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Reviews (1)

An Eye Opener
For me this book was a real eye opener in relation three areas.1.Immigrant life in the 1800s. It is a sad commentary on the US governement, and how they allowed people to be treated as nothing more than animals.It makes one appreciate the struggles our ancestors went through to make a life for themselves and their future families. 2. The roots of Unions for the US workers. 3. The method used to process meat.Hopefully it has significantly improved since that time period...it's amazing more people didn't die from the food they ate.It has been more than a year since I read the book and still look hesitantly at the meat counter.The story is a good reason to consider becoming a vegetarian. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Historical    4. Historical - General    5. Literary    6. Literature: Classics    7. Lithuanian Americans    8. Stockyards    9. Working class    10. Modern fiction    11. Social Science / Emigration & Immigration   

Subjects:  1. Citizenship    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. Europe - France    4. France    5. Government policy    6. History    7. History & Theory - General    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Immigrants    11. Naturalization    12. Social History    13. Civil rights & citizenship    14. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    15. Immigration & emigration    16. Nationalism    17. c 1500 to c 1600    18. c 1600 to c 1700    19. c 1700 to c 1800   

Editorial Review

Readers familiar with immigration history as told in books like Roger Daniels's Read more

Reviews (9)

Review of Harvest of Empire
Harvest of Empire, a book by Juan Gonzalez, gives a history of Latinos in the United States.The book is divided into three sections entitled "Roots," "Branches," and "Harvest."The first section contains three chapters that provide a brief history of the relationship between Latin America and the United States.The second section is composed of six chapters, each one devoted to one of the major groups of Latinos living in the United States.Each of the following groups are described in this section: Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Cubans, Dominicans, Central Americans, and Columbians and Panamanians share a chapter.Within the six chapters, Gonzalez writes about individuals or families in order to reflect the general migration story of the larger groups.Thus, these individual portrayals serve as representations of the larger collection of immigrants.In the third section Gonzalez discusses several topics relating to Hispanics living in the United States.The topics include politics, immigration, language and culture, free trade, and the state of Puerto Rico.
A different perspective
I am the Americanized Puerto Rican born in Brooklyn whose parents traded cultural awareness by restricting use of the Spanish language at home for assimilation and greater opportunity educationally.The trade off worked, I earned my BS in Management from Pepperdine University.The trade off didn't work,it is difficult for me to associate in any meaningful manner with fellow Puerto Ricans or Latin Americans in general.My African-American friends consider me white, my Anglo-American friends consider me black, and I am quickly shunned at times by Puerto Ricans just because I don't speak Spanish.Juan Gonzalez with great research and detail identified my subtle undefined (at the time) schizophrenic social engagements. Therapeutically, through historical narrative of US policy towards Puerto Rico, cause and affect of PR vs NYC migratory action from the 1940's through today, viewing the current environment of Puerto Ricans in the South Bronx or East Harlem, I've come to know myself better, appreciate those of my race with greater gravity, and understand that none of these actions are by chance.Macroeconomically, the environmental and immigration impact of US policy regarding the Caribean Basin Initiative or NAFTA that are extensively noted and bibliographed, quite simply created a different perspective on my training in business and foreign investment.Mr. Gonzalez does not stop there.He tackles bilingualism, revisits and reexamines American History in a manner not expressed to me in any classroom...ever...then through citings of other works, backs it up.It is the most refreshing book I've read since the Autobiography of Malcolm X with Alex Haley, due to it's clarity and insight for the human quest for internal and external truths.

ONE-SIDED BOOK
Although I'll admit I didn't read the entire book, I did read much (or, better put, enough) of it to get the jist.I think Juan Gonzalez's views are very prejudiced and inconsiderate towards non-Hispanic whites.Like all too many Hispanic leaders in this country, he urges Hispanics to adopt a chip-on-the- shoulder attitude and wants to make them think that being Hispanic in the United States is a crutch.Mr.Gonzalez fails to realize, though, that one-hundred years ago there was an influx of millions of immigrants from southern Italy.Just like todays Mexican-Americans, they tended to be short, dark-skinned, with dark hair and dark eyes.In other words, they looked different from the previous immigrants from central, eastern, and norhtern Europe.People complained that the Italians didn't want to speak English.Sound familiar, Mr. Gonzalez?People called them ethnic slurs such as "guinea", "dago", "wop", and "greaseball" just to name a few.Sound familiar, Mr. Gonzalez?People said that they all carried knives and were in gangs.Sound familiar, Mr. Gonzalez?In the South, between 1891 and 1911, over 30 people of southern Italian descent were lynched for crimes they did not committ.They weren't even allowed in white schools for quite some time in many areas of the South.In the North, they took dangerous factory and construction jobs, while being grossly underpaid and working in horrible death and injury prone conditions.In California, they worked in the fields, again while being underpaid and working in bad conditions.Sound familiar, Juan?And yet today, the Little Italys (or Italian-American ghettoes, if you will) that once abounded this country are all gone but a few, such as New York's and Boston's, which are disappearing as well.What happened to them?They've become successful.Their community leaders know that just because you don't speak Italian or Sicilian doesn't mean that you've lost your cultural backgound.Their community leaders know that it is absolutely stupid and ignorant to hold a grudge against Anglo-Americans living today that had absolutely nothing to do with whatever went on 100 years or even 50 years ago between Italian-Americans and Anglo-Americans.If Mr. Gonzalez is going to say that it is all the Anglos' fault for whatever problems Hispanic communities have today, then how does he explain the success of Italian,Japanese,Chinese,Asian Indian,Pakisitani,and Arab-Americans?Mr. Gonzalez could definitely take a few lessons from Linda Chavez, whom I admire very much.She wrote a book called "Out of the Barrio" which I recommend if anyone wants to get both sides of the view of the Mexican-American, Puerto Rican American and Cuban American experiences.Its too bad that these great communities don't have more leaders like Linda Chavez instead of corrupt ones like Mr. Gonzalez who hold them down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Emigration and immigration    3. Hispanic Americans    4. History    5. History: American    6. Immigrants    7. Latin America - General    8. Minority Studies - Ethnic American    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. United States - 20th Century    12. Social Science / Ethnic Studies / Hispanic American Studies   

Subjects:  1. Citizenship    2. Emigration & Immigration    3. History - U.S.    4. Immigrants    5. Public Policy - Cultural Policy    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. United States - General    10. Law / Emigration & Immigration    11. Law | Immigration Law   

Reviews (1)

TheMost Important Book Of Queer South Asian Identity Politics in the 21st Century!
I have been following Gopinath's work for many years now -- from her lucid essay in Russell Leong's "Asian American Sexualities," to her review of Deepa Mehta's "Fire" and her brilliant and lucid analysis of Shyam Selvadurai's "Funny Boy."Not only is Gopinath a brilliant scholar with urgently insightful readings, but she writes with an exemplary prose that is worthy of worldwide applause.Her studies of music, film, literature, and social events coagulate to form a powerful and cogent argument for thinking about race and sexuality in what she calls a "South Asian diasporic" sensibility.What is the use of such an interpretational tool?It immediately highlights weaknesses in both feminist and postcolonial scholarship while simultaneously bringing these fields' insights to assist in her readings."Impossible Desires" sparkles with sagacious scholarship, and makes clear the cultural stakes for all who see the identity politics of gender and sexuality as inextricable from South Asian cultural production.I am thankful that this book exists, although I am not yet finished with it.I have waited many, many years for something like this, and can say with much gratitude that it will continue to inform my own studies for many years to come.Anyone who wishes to think outside of the box of what they consider their most radical thinking should not only seriously consider purchasing this book, but should also gift a few copies to others they know who are passionate about the cultural politics of women, queers, and South Asian diasporic culture around the globe. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Foreign countries    3. Gay Studies    4. Gays in popular culture    5. Gender Studies    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Social Science    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. South Asians    11. South Asians in literature    12. Cultural Studies    13. Gay & Lesbian Studies/Queer Th    14. Sociology, Social Studies    15. South Asian Studies