📖 Overview
Jeffrey Lesser is a historian and professor specializing in modern Latin American history, with particular expertise in Brazilian immigration, ethnicity, and national identity. He currently serves as Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of History at Emory University and has previously held the directorship of the Halle Institute for Global Research.
Lesser's research focuses on how ethnic and racial minorities have shaped Brazilian national identity, with influential works examining Jewish, Arab, and Japanese immigration to Brazil. His book "Immigration, Ethnicity and National Identity in Brazil" (Cambridge University Press, 2013) has become a key text in the field of Brazilian immigration studies.
Through publications like "Negotiating National Identity: Immigrants, Minorities and the Struggle for Ethnicity in Brazil" and "Welcoming the Undesirables: Brazil and the Jewish Question," Lesser has contributed significantly to understanding how different ethnic groups have integrated into Brazilian society. His work frequently challenges traditional narratives about Brazilian racial democracy and multicultural harmony.
Lesser's research has been supported by major institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright Commission. His scholarship has influenced how historians understand the relationship between immigration, ethnicity, and nationalism in Latin America.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Lesser's thorough research and academic rigor in examining Brazilian immigration and ethnic identity. His books receive consistent praise from students and scholars for providing clear analysis backed by extensive primary sources.
What readers liked:
- Detailed documentation and archival evidence
- Clear writing style accessible for students
- Balanced treatment of complex ethnic and racial dynamics
- Integration of personal immigrant narratives with broader historical context
What readers disliked:
- Dense academic language in some sections
- High textbook pricing
- Limited coverage of certain immigrant groups
- Some readers found the theoretical frameworks overly complex
Review Metrics:
Goodreads:
- Immigration, Ethnicity and National Identity in Brazil: 4.1/5 (42 ratings)
- Negotiating National Identity: 4.0/5 (28 ratings)
- Welcoming the Undesirables: 4.3/5 (15 ratings)
Amazon:
- Average 4.2/5 across titles
- Most reviews from academic readers and students
- Common feedback cites usefulness for research and coursework
📚 Books by Jeffrey Lesser
Immigration, Ethnicity and National Identity in Brazil (2013)
A historical analysis of how immigrants to Brazil both influenced and adapted to Brazilian concepts of race and ethnicity, focusing on the period from 1808 to the present.
Negotiating National Identity: Immigrants, Minorities and the Struggle for Ethnicity in Brazil (1999) An examination of how Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Asian immigrants shaped Brazilian national identity during the period between the 1850s and 1950s.
Welcoming the Undesirables: Brazil and the Jewish Question (1995) A study of Brazilian immigration policies and Jewish immigration to Brazil between 1914 and 1945, including analysis of diplomatic correspondence and immigrant experiences.
A Discontented Diaspora: Japanese-Brazilians and the Meanings of Ethnic Militancy (2007) An investigation of Japanese-Brazilian history during the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on how this community engaged with political and social movements.
Searching for Home Abroad: Japanese-Brazilians and Transnationalism (2003) A collection of essays examining the migration of Japanese-Brazilians to Japan in the late 20th century and their experiences adapting to Japanese society.
Negotiating National Identity: Immigrants, Minorities and the Struggle for Ethnicity in Brazil (1999) An examination of how Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Asian immigrants shaped Brazilian national identity during the period between the 1850s and 1950s.
Welcoming the Undesirables: Brazil and the Jewish Question (1995) A study of Brazilian immigration policies and Jewish immigration to Brazil between 1914 and 1945, including analysis of diplomatic correspondence and immigrant experiences.
A Discontented Diaspora: Japanese-Brazilians and the Meanings of Ethnic Militancy (2007) An investigation of Japanese-Brazilian history during the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on how this community engaged with political and social movements.
Searching for Home Abroad: Japanese-Brazilians and Transnationalism (2003) A collection of essays examining the migration of Japanese-Brazilians to Japan in the late 20th century and their experiences adapting to Japanese society.
👥 Similar authors
Herbert Klein examines Latin American and Brazilian immigration, ethnicity, and socioeconomic development through historical analysis. His work parallels Lesser's focus on ethnic minorities and the formation of national identity in Brazil.
Jerry Dávila studies race relations and education policy in twentieth-century Brazil, with emphasis on how racial ideology shaped institutions. His research intersects with Lesser's exploration of how ethnic groups navigated Brazilian society.
Thomas Holloway investigates social control, policing, and urban development in Brazil from colonial times through the modern era. His work complements Lesser's examination of how minority communities interacted with Brazilian power structures.
George Reid Andrews focuses on African diaspora populations in Latin America and their impact on national cultures. His research shares Lesser's interest in how ethnic groups maintain identity while integrating into broader society.
Robert Levine analyzes Brazilian political and social movements through biographical and institutional lenses. His scholarship connects with Lesser's examination of how ethnic communities influenced Brazilian politics and culture.
Jerry Dávila studies race relations and education policy in twentieth-century Brazil, with emphasis on how racial ideology shaped institutions. His research intersects with Lesser's exploration of how ethnic groups navigated Brazilian society.
Thomas Holloway investigates social control, policing, and urban development in Brazil from colonial times through the modern era. His work complements Lesser's examination of how minority communities interacted with Brazilian power structures.
George Reid Andrews focuses on African diaspora populations in Latin America and their impact on national cultures. His research shares Lesser's interest in how ethnic groups maintain identity while integrating into broader society.
Robert Levine analyzes Brazilian political and social movements through biographical and institutional lenses. His scholarship connects with Lesser's examination of how ethnic communities influenced Brazilian politics and culture.