Designed to encourage critical thinking about history; the MAJOR PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN HISTORY series introduces readers to both primary sources and analytical essays on important topics in American history. The collection of essays and documents in MAJOR PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN IMMIGRATION HISTORY explores themes such as the political and economic forces that cause immigration; the alienation and uprootedness that often follow relocation; and the difficult questions of citizenship and assimilation. This text presents a carefully selected group of readings organized to allow readers to evaluate primary sources; test the interpretations of distinguished historians; and draw their own conclusions. Each chapter includes introductions; source notes; and suggested readings.
#295438 in Books Viking Pr 2016-04-19 2016-04-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.38 x 1.38 x 6.44l; 1.52 #File Name: 0525428151400 pagesViking Pr
Review
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful. Rural town; big war...By Long-Suffering Technology ConsumerWhen pondering the possible content for World War II histories; the options are endless. The strategic machinations of political leaders and the decisions (for better or worse) of generals and admirals; the life of the ordinary on the front lines; the battles at home to keep the war effort strong; individual stories of triumph and tragedy that stem from the happenstance of ships; planes or combat units in fateful places at exactly the right (or wrong times). As the Greatest Generation dwindles in numbers; it's fair to wonder how many more unexplored stories of the WWII era are left to be told."The Mathews Men" is focused generally on the merchant mariners from Matthews County; Virginia (with emphasis on the men from a single family; as representatives of a community of seafarers). Mathews County sits on spit of Chesapeake Bay land wedged between the Rappohannock and York Rivers north of Hampton Roads. Before the start of the war; its proximity to the sea and a lack of other opportunities created a natural draw towards merchant seamanship.William Geroux tells an often under-appreciated story in any sustained conflict: that logistics are the lubricant of victory.; and that strategy and tactics are meaningless without fuel; food and the materials of war.This book is well researched; well written. You will feel the heat (and the menace of sharks) of the Caribbean; the chill of the Barents and feel the ominous threats of angry seas and menacing U-Boat captains across the Atlantic and the waters that join it. Expect to come away with a bigger appreciation for the role of beans and bullets; and true insight into the character of the men who brought those things to the fight.Excellent reading!31 of 31 people found the following review helpful. If only we could shake their hands and thank them personallyBy Jerry SapersteinOne of the least known and understood aspects of World War II is the contribution of America’s maritime industry. From 1939 through 1945; Free Europe – which at one point was limited to the United Kingdom alone – was largely dependent on American merchant shipping. Until December; 1941; American merchant ships faced little danger from German submarines; but British merchant ships were being sunk at an alarming rate. After Pearl Harbor and Germany’s declaration of war on the United States; American ships became very dangerous places to be at least through late 1943 when anti-submarine warfare became effective. The men who manned American merchant ships have never received the credit they were due. This is the story of some of those men; all from Matthews County; Virginia; including seven brothers. It is a harrowing story of terror and sudden death. Imagine sailing on the Atlantic on a moonless night and your unarmed or inadequately armed ship is struck without warning by a torpedo and your only hope is diving into the cold ocean and hoping to be picked up by rescue ships that often bypassed helpless survivors. The casualty rate was very high; the life lonely and dangerous just from the job; even before you factored in German submarines and sometimes aerial bombing. Yet; voyage after voyage; these men persisted. It was their job – and without them Britain in particular might have starved and surrendered to the Germans. This book is tribute to the men of Mathews County in particular and the Merchant Marine in general. It is a masterful telling of the struggle to keep freedom fighting; an often exceedingly dangerous task; by delivering the food and tools needed to first resist and ultimately invade and conquer. A great read.Jerry0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An untold story of WWIIBy BarbaraCEven though it sounds like an oxymoron; my husband is currently employed as a civilian mariner for the US Navy. Essentially; US Navy owned supply ships are crewed by federally employed civilian mariners; i.e.; "merchant marines." On certain overseas deployments; these civilian crewed ships are assigned a military detachment crew for security.During WWII; however; civilian owned and crewed supply ships for the US Navy were on their own without military escort or support. The ships and crews were easy pickings for the German U-boats that skulked off the Atlantic coast; and the loss of lives and resources while the Navy turned a blind eye is appalling. The Mathews Men focuses on the men from Mathews County; VA; which had a long history of coastal mariners running in families; and how they and their families were affected by WWII.The narrative is well researched; and while some of the tales are horrific; the telling is not overly graphic or gruesome; just frustrating and sad. The narrative also describes the daily life of a merchant marine; which in some respects (at least according to my husband) hasn't changed all that much except for wi-fi and cell phones.I recommend this book for WWII history buffs and for anyone with a friend or loved one in the present day "merchant marine." It's an eye-opening look into a career and lifestyle of which many people are most likely unaware.
