Synopses & Reviews
"Historian Purcell provides a strong probe into immigration issues throughout American history, creating a strong volume which should appeal to young adults through adult readers". -- The Bookwatch
This engaging narrative chronicles the history of the immigration to America from the 1600s to the present. Throughout eight chapters arranged chronologically, the author offers an in-depth exploration of the American immigration experience, including why people emigrated, what they left behind, and what they found when they arrived. He also delves into the immigrants' unique contributions to the history and culture of the nation, and includes a discussion of why America has never really been a "melting pot", contrary to popular belief. The book also examines the legal and social aspects of immigration, beginning with the founding of Jamestown in 1607 through the 1994 passage of Proposition 187 in California. Also featured is a brief chronology of immigration and the biographies of 45 important figures in American immigration history. The text is enhanced with photos, illustrations, and political cartoons, and a detailed bibliography is also included. Immigration will give readers a new appreciation of the many challenges that immigrants must face in their quest for a new life and provides a greater understanding of today's controversial and complicated immigration issues.
Synopsis
This engaging narrative chronicles the history of the immigration to America from the 1600s to the present. The author offers an in-depth exploration of the American immigration experience, including why people emigrated, what they left behind, and what they found when they arrived. He also delves into the immigrants' unique contributions to the history and culture of the nation. The book examines the legal and social aspects of immigration, beginning with the founding of Jamestown in 1607 through the 1994 passage of Proposition 187 in California. Also featured are a brief chronology of immigration and the biographies of 45 important figures in American immigration history. The text is enhanced with photos, illustrations, and political cartoons, and a detailed bibliography is also included.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [148]-188) and index.
About the Author
L. EDWARD PURCELL is an independent historian, editor, and journalist who has written over a dozen books and numerous articles, many of them on historical topics.