Scholarship on immigration to America is a coin with two sides: it asks both how America changed immigrants; and how they changed America. Were the immigrants uprooted from their ancestral homes; leaving everything behind; or were they transplanted; bringing many aspects of their culture with them? Although historians agree with the transplantation concept; the notion of the melting pot; which suggests a complete loss of the immigrant culture; persists in the public mind. The Oxford Handbook of American Immigration and Ethnicity bridges this gap and offers a comprehensive and nuanced survey of American racial and ethnic development; assessing the current status of historical research and simultaneously setting the goals for future investigation.Early immigration historians focused on the European migration model; and the ethnic appeal of politicians such as Fiorello La Guardia and James Michael Curley in cities with strong ethno-political histories like New York and Boston. But the story of American ethnicity goes far beyond Ellis Island. Only after the 1965 Immigration Act and the increasing influx of non-Caucasian immigrants; scholars turned more fully to the study of African; Asian and Latino migrants to America.This Handbook brings together thirty eminent scholars to describe the themes; methodologies; and trends that characterize the history and current debates on American immigration. The Handbook's trenchant chapters provide compelling analyses of cutting-edge issues including identity; whiteness; borders and undocumented migration; immigration legislation; intermarriage; assimilation; bilingualism; new American religions; ethnicity-related crime; and pan-ethnic trends. They also explore the myth of "model minorities" and the contemporary resurgence of anti-immigrant feelings. A unique contribution to the field of immigration studies; this volume considers the full racial and ethnic unfolding of the United States in its historical context.
#114044 in Books Louis P Masur 2011-02-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.70 x .80 x 8.40l; .62 #File Name: 0199740488136 pagesThe Civil War A Concise History
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. SolidBy HHThis 94-page history stands out as one which may serve as the perfect affordable and concise one-volume account of both the war and its causes for junior and high school teachers of the Civil War; as well as college and university teachers of the first half of the United States survey. It is hard to overstate this accomplishment; as so many authors have tried before and failed. Masur’s tutelage under Civil War heavyweight James McPherson infuses the book’s two central themes: (1) what began as a limited war evolved quickly into a total war; and (2) that the abolition of slavery became over the course of the war a central objective of both the president and the United States government. Though few knowledgeable persons would disagree with either of these premises; the attention each receives briefly at the introduction and then throughout the text gives the book a solid foundation. But this is only the beginning. With a deft hand; Masur touches briefly on the major touchstones of antebellum America that led ultimately toward secession; including the Nullification Crisis; the Compromise of 1850; the Dred Scott case; and John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry; Virginia. Once the war begins; he gives appropriate attention to other important topics; from the technological explosion the war promoted -- including the transition from smooth-bore to rifled muskets and the use of photography -- to the federal government’s role in promoting economic and geographic expansion through the Homestead Act and Morrill Act of 1862 and the National Banking Acts. These and other salient topics Masur integrates seamlessly into the larger story of slavery; secession; and unlimited war. An additional bonus is the centering of Abraham Lincoln in the narrative; from his election in 1860 to his assassination in 1865. In this way; the personal and public trials and tribulations of the 16th president serve as a metaphor for the entire nation during its most trying time.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A quick; easy; and informative readBy Ryan ''The Real Deal''At the risk of being redundant I won’t bother restating the fact that this book is ‘concise;’ but I will say that I was – and am – very impressed with the way the author (Louis Masur) was able to write this book without going in to complex detail.Masur does a great job of overviewing events and discussing them on the same basic level throughout the entire book. There are many parts of the book where you know he could expand; or could elaborate on; but he doesn’t. He keeps the book short and to the point without deviating from the path or making the read tedious. Masur also writes this out without burdening us with colorful or ‘intellectual’ diction. Everything is catered to the every-day man and not to the history professor.For these reasons this book probably wouldn’t be entertaining for someone who knows a lot about the American Civil War; but for those who are new to the subject or not that familiar with the entire story behind it; this book is a great buy. I for one considered myself to be pretty knowledgeable about the early years of the war; but didn’t know a great deal about 1864 or ’65. Masur’s book filled in a lot of the gaps and did well reminding me of some information I had forgotten.Overall this was a genuinely entertaining read and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for an overview of the Civil War who doesn’t have a lot of time on their hands.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Simply goodBy Baruch MaozA summary insight into the causes; course; carnage and conclusion of the civil war. Detailed but not overly so; clearly insightful and fair; although largely from a unionist's perspective. An excellent introduction.
