Religion has played a crucial role in American immigration history as an institutional resource for migrants' social adaptation; as a map of meaning for interpreting immigration experiences; and as a continuous force for expanding the national ideal of pluralism. To explain these processes the editors of this volume brought together the perspectives of leading scholars of migration and religion. The resulting essays present salient patterns in American immigrants' religious lives; past and present. In comparing the religious experiences of Mexicans and Italians; Japanese and Koreans; Eastern European Jews and Arab Muslims; and African Americans and Haitians; the book clarifies how such processes as incorporation into existing religions; introduction of new faiths; conversion; and diversification have contributed to America's extraordinary religious diversity and add a comprehensive religious dimension to our understanding of America as a nation of immigrants.
#1054105 in Books VIRGINIA 2016-08-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.00 x 6.10l; .0 #File Name: 0813938961328 pagesVIRGINIA
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Interesting and informativeBy Gray C.This is an interesting and informative book that is fair and balanced on Thomas Jefferson. It helped me see him as a real person.I haven't enjoyed non-fiction this much in a long time. The writing is very clear and sometimes really fun. Many sentences made me smile and I even laughed out loud a couple times. Toward the end; when Jefferson died; I got a lump in my throat. I also learned a lot; even though I majored in history and have read other books on Jefferson.A few of the things I learned: First; no one knew Jefferson wrote the Declaration until the 1790's; but even then people tried to deny that he was its author. Second; at first Madison was the leading Republican before Hamilton went after Jefferson in newspapers; causing the public to see him as the leader. Third; Jefferson worked really hard to shape his reputation; even though the rules of politics back then forced him to do it mostly in secret. Fourth; Jefferson was kind of obsessive about what people were saying and kept scrapbooks of newspaper articles about himself. Fifth; how Jefferson handled the Sally Hemmings scandal and got away with it. Sixth; Jefferson's Republicans started off pretty pure ("principles and not men") but being in power caused them to kind of forget what they stood for. The book does a really great job explaining these things.Is this book a biography of Jefferson? Yes and no. Really; it is the story of the life of his public image. This is what makes it unique. It is fascinating to see how he went from being the unknown writer of the Declaration of Independence to one of the most controversial presidents in history. Haters actually thought he'd import the bloody French Revolution. Supporters saw him as the philosopher of the American Revolution. The book also gives a nice history of Jefferson's time. He was involved in just about every important event.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Smart and substantive while also readable and fascinatingBy CustomerI bought this because I needed it for my thesis and the library didn't yet have it. I didn't intend to read it cover to cover. I was only going to read the parts related to my research. But once I started reading; I didn't want to stop. This is a history book you can read for pleasure. It manages to both be smart and substantive while also readable and truly fascinating. This book has transformed my thoughts about Thomas Jefferson and deepened my understanding of the politics of the early republic.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Rich in DetailBy Terry TuckerThis is an very focused look at Jefferson the man; his philosophy and his life. The controversy over his life continues to this day; but despite any criticism the honor of his authorship of one of the greatest documents in history remains his.
