Immigration

VOYA - Ann T. Reddy-Damon

In a series that includes books on controversial issues of abortion, the environment, gay rights, genetic engineering, and immigration, each volume presents a fascinating look at how these issues have evolved-and stayed the same-throughout America's history. Immigration is organized by topic rather than by chronology. Starting with the treatment of Irish and Chinese immigrants, it explores the concept of multiculturalism and mandating quotas before bringing readers to the current state of the debate over President Bush's plan to mend the illegal immigration problem. Although some pieces are scathing with their subjectivity, this reviewer was confused by two selections. Mark Twain's piece is intended to point out the absurdity of the bigotry toward the Chinese, but it is difficult to find the humor from a twenty-first-century perspective. The excerpt from Farewell to Manzanar presents an almost idyllic picture of that Japanese internment camp. The summarizing pieces interspersed with the primary sources, however, make it an excellent resource for students trying to make up their minds about extremely difficult questions. One can easily recommend this series for libraries needing to update their social science section to tie current controversial issues with their historic evolution.