Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
"Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history," wrote historian Oscar Handlin. Immigrants and generations of their descendants have defined the American nation from its beginning and continue to provide America's characteristic diversity, representing practically every race, nationality, religion, and ethnic group around the world. Some immigrants came to the New World in search of economic gain. Others were brought in chains. Still others found refuge in America from religious or ethnic persecution.This single-volume encyclopedia includes more than 300 entries, covering multiple aspects of immigration history and policy:
- ethnic groups, including census and immigration statistics, major periods of immigration and areas of settlement, predominant religion, and historical background
- key immigration legislation, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, Immigration Act of 1990, and Refugee Act of 1980
- terms and concepts, including green card, quota system, citizen, naturalization, picture brides, and nativism
- categories of immigrants, including refugees, indentured servants, children, and exiles
- immigration stations: Angel Island, Castle Garden, and Ellis Island
- religious groups and churches, such as Amish, Huguenots, Muslims, and Eastern Rite churches
- further reading lists and cross-references follow each entry
An introductory essay provides a cogent overview of the entire scope of the book. More than 150 photographs and illustrations complement the entries. Statistical boxes supplement the articles with key information. A list of immigration, ethnic, and refugee organizations; a guide to further research that includes books, museums, and websites; and a detailed chronology conclude this useful resource for research in American history, ethnic and multicultural studies, and genealogy.
Synopsis
"Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history," wrote historian Oscar Handlin. Immigrants and generations of their descendants have defined the American nation from its beginning and continue to provide America's characteristic diversity, representing practically every race, nationality, religion, and ethnic group around the world. Some immigrants came to the New World in search of economic gain. Others were brought in chains. Still others found refuge in America from religious or ethnic persecution.
This single-volume encyclopedia includes more than 300 entries, covering multiple aspects of immigration history and policy:
- ethnic groups, including census and immigration statistics, major periods of immigration and areas of settlement, predominant religion, and historical background
- key immigration legislation, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, Immigration Act of 1990, and Refugee Act of 1980
- terms and concepts, including green card, quota system, citizen, naturalization, picture brides, and nativism
- categories of immigrants, including refugees, indentured servants, children, and exiles
- immigration stations: Angel Island, Castle Garden, and Ellis Island
- religious groups and churches, such as Amish, Huguenots, Muslims, and Eastern Rite churches
- further reading lists and cross-references follow each entry
An introductory essay provides a cogent overview of the entire scope of the book. More than 150 photographs and illustrations complement the entries. Statistical boxes supplement the articles with key information. A list of immigration, ethnic, and refugee organizations; a guide to further research that includes books, museums, and websites; and a detailed chronology conclude this useful resource for research in American history, ethnic and multicultural studies, and genealogy.
VOYA
This highly readable reference book presents brief entries on ethnic groups, immigration laws and concepts, categories of immigrants, and definitions of immigration terms. A provocative introduction discusses immigration policies and the attitudes of United States citizens regarding immigration both as a general phenomenon and through instances of discrimination toward specific ethnic groups. Entries on ethnic groups generally furnish between one paragraph to two pages of information. Statistical information is separated handily, marking major periods of immigration, number of immigrants currently residing in the U.S., and major areas of settlement. Other entries include explanations of laws such as the Immigration Act of 1924 and concepts such as assimilation and chain migration. An unusual addition to this reference source is the inclusion of categories of immigrants, such as women and children, which although brief, highlight their experiences as immigrants. Also useful are appendixes that list important dates in U.S. immigration history, organizations related to immigrant and refugee concerns, and a further reading section providing Web sites and descriptions of museums with immigration-related information. Although more obscure immigrant groups are obviously outside the scope of this work, a few prominent groups, such as the Burmese, Nepalese, and Chileans, curiously are absent. This resource would be ideal for young adults seeking brief overviews of particular ethnic groups. For more in-depth coverage, however, American Immigrant Cultures (Macmillan, 1997) provides more detail regarding the history, assimilation, and cultural life of ethnic groups. Libraries in need of a generalreference tool with broad coverage will want this recommended title. Index. Illus. Photos. Charts. Maps. Appendix. Further Reading. Chronology. 2001, Oxford University Press, 300p. PLB Ages 15 to Adult. Reviewer: Rebecca Van Dan SOURCE: VOYA, June 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 2)