Status
Available
Collection
Publication
New York : Basic Books, c1981.
Description
One of the greatest dramas in all of modern times involves the peopling of America. In Ethnic America, Thomas Sowell provides a useful and concise record tracing the history of nine ethnic groups: the Irish, the Germans, the Jews, the Italians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Blacks, the Puerto Ricans, and the Mexicans. Sowell offers perspective-building facts-there are more people of Irish ancestry in the United States than in Ireland and more Jews than in Israel-and explains each ethnic group's varied experiences in adapting to American society.
User reviews
LibraryThing member maryh10000
An analysis of all the major immigrant groups that came to the US and how they faired. Does not throw all non-white populations in the same group. I have refered to this often.
LibraryThing member djaquay
Wonderfully insightful book about the trials and obstacles various ethnic groups have overcome and are overcoming as a part of their migration to America. As usual, reality is a bit more involved than news soundbites lead one to believe, and this book does a nice job exploring a wide range of
Show More
aspects of immigrant life and progress. (I listened to the audiobook, off eMusic, which was tolerably narrated, albeit nothing to write home about...) Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
The books is a favorite of mine for its exploration of different ethnic groups and their story in America, their struggles and contributions: the Irish, the Germans, the Jews, the Italians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Blacks, the Puerto Ricans and the Mexicans. Anglo-Americans are not covered as
Show More
not being "ethnic"--and neither are Native Americans for similar reasons--since they aren't immigrants but indigenous. It's funny though--one of the bits of information I remember best from this book is a mere footnote about Native Americans--that they remain the poorest group economically. That shocked and saddened me. Show Less
LibraryThing member jwhenderson
Ethnic America is a unique portrait of the great American ethic mosaic. Thomas Sowell relates the history of immigrants from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and how this history was unique for each group. Within the larger geographic groups he identifies specific ethnic groups that include
Show More
Irish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Puerto Ricans, Blacks, and others. He analyzes each group providing background context and the results of their success or lack of success in integrating and becoming a part of American culture. His perspective is eye-opening and the results provide both answers and challenges for the interested reader. As a result it has become a favorite of mine for its fascinating exploration of different ethnic groups and their story in America including their struggles and contributions. Show Less
LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
Ethnic America
By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: James Bundy
This book was recommended to me by someone and I am glad they did. I was able to pick the audible version up free from Audible because I have a membership and it's on the Plus catalog.
This book goes through each of the main groups of Immigrant
It really is astounding how thorough this book is. The only thing I disagree with in here is when he cites the IQ tests. We know now that IQ tests are often based on knowledge of the society you are familiar with. To give a test to a foreign child that has no knowledge of Western society is ridiculous.
Other than this, the book is a terrific book about each society and how it weaves together to make America, for better or worse. We can't change the past but we can change the future! There were prejudices against each of these groups. Not a shiny moment for us when every one of us, except the Native Americans, were from foreigners themselves. There is still that population that harbors hate towards minorities. Minorities made America!
By: Thomas Sowell
Narrated by: James Bundy
This book was recommended to me by someone and I am glad they did. I was able to pick the audible version up free from Audible because I have a membership and it's on the Plus catalog.
This book goes through each of the main groups of Immigrant
Show More
population that has come to America. It follows the group as a whole through the years describing the difficulties, the places they moved to, jobs, education, what they contributed to America, male to female ratio, and so much more. There is invaluable information on each!It really is astounding how thorough this book is. The only thing I disagree with in here is when he cites the IQ tests. We know now that IQ tests are often based on knowledge of the society you are familiar with. To give a test to a foreign child that has no knowledge of Western society is ridiculous.
Other than this, the book is a terrific book about each society and how it weaves together to make America, for better or worse. We can't change the past but we can change the future! There were prejudices against each of these groups. Not a shiny moment for us when every one of us, except the Native Americans, were from foreigners themselves. There is still that population that harbors hate towards minorities. Minorities made America!
Show Less