Not Like Us: Immigrants and Minorities in America

Not Like Us examines the complex history of immigration and minority experiences in America from the colonial period through modern times. The book traces major waves of immigration and documents how different ethnic and racial groups were received by the dominant society. Daniels analyzes key legislation, social movements, and cultural shifts that shaped immigrant and minority life in America. He presents detailed accounts of specific immigrant communities and their struggles for acceptance, from Irish Catholics to Chinese laborers to Eastern European Jews. The impact of xenophobia, racism, and nativism on American immigration policy receives substantial focus. The book incorporates primary sources, demographic data, and personal narratives to construct its historical narrative. The work raises fundamental questions about American identity and the nation's relationship with its immigrant populations. Through its examination of recurring patterns in how newcomers were treated, the book offers perspective on contemporary debates about immigration and assimilation.

Readers describe this book as a straightforward academic overview of American immigration and minority experiences. Many appreciate Daniels' thorough documentation and concise writing style. Strengths noted by readers: - Clear chronological organization from colonial era through 1990s - Balanced coverage of different immigrant groups - Extensive source citations and bibliographic references - Integration of immigration policy with social history Common criticisms: - Dense academic tone can be dry - Limited discussion of post-1965 immigration - Minimal coverage of certain groups like Asian immigrants - Some readers found it too broad rather than deep Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) "Solid historical overview but could use more contemporary analysis" - Goodreads reviewer "Well-researched but reads like a textbook" - Amazon reviewer The book appears most popular among students and academics rather than general readers.

Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life by Roger Daniels Documents the waves of immigration to America from colonial times through the twentieth century with focus on policies, patterns, and cultural impacts.

Strangers in the Land: Patterns of American Nativism by John Higham Examines the cycles of anti-immigrant sentiment in American history and the social movements that shaped immigration restrictions.

The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee Chronicles the experiences of diverse Asian immigrant groups in America through multiple generations and their role in shaping the nation.

American Immigration: A Very Short Introduction by David A. Gerber Presents the key issues, policies, and demographic changes that defined American immigration from colonial settlement to modern times.

Ellis Island: A People's History by Małgorzata Szejnert Reconstructs the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island using primary sources, letters, and official documentation from 1892 to 1954.

📚 Roger Daniels taught at the University of Cincinnati for over 35 years and is considered one of America's foremost scholars on Asian American history and immigration policy. 🗓️ The book explores over 200 years of American immigration history, from the initial European settlements through the aftermath of the Immigration Act of 1990. 🌏 "Not Like Us" details how each wave of immigrants faced similar patterns of discrimination, despite coming from different parts of the world at different times. ⚖️ The author was instrumental in the movement for Japanese American redress, which led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and formal apologies from the U.S. government for WWII internment. 📜 The book's title references a recurring theme in American history where established residents viewed newcomers as fundamentally different and unassimilable, regardless of their origin or time period.