Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life

Coming to America chronicles the waves of immigration that shaped the United States from pre-colonial times through the late 20th century. Historian Roger Daniels examines migration patterns, policies, and immigrant experiences across four centuries of American history. The book covers major immigrant groups including Western Europeans, Asians, Latin Americans, and Africans brought through slavery. Daniels presents census data, legislative records, and personal accounts to document how each group navigated the challenges of settling in America and influenced the nation's development. This comprehensive study reveals immigration's central role in building American society, culture, and identity. Through detailed analysis of both official policies and human experiences, the book demonstrates how debates over immigration have consistently reflected deeper questions about what it means to be American.

Readers describe this as a comprehensive reference book on American immigration history, though some find it dense and academic in tone. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear organization by time period and ethnic group - Statistical data and primary sources - Coverage of lesser-known immigrant groups - Balanced treatment of controversial policies Common criticisms: - Dry, textbook-like writing style - Too much focus on numbers and statistics - Limited personal stories and first-hand accounts - Some readers note factual errors in specific sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (54 ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted: "Extremely informative but reads like a doctoral thesis." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "The data and research are excellent but it lacks the human element that makes immigration history compelling." The book appears most popular among students, researchers and those seeking detailed immigration statistics rather than casual readers interested in narrative history.

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🌟 Author Roger Daniels served in World War II and later became one of the first scholars to extensively study the Japanese American internment experience. 📚 The book's research spans 500 years of immigration history, from pre-Columbian Native American migrations through the early 1990s. 🗽 The first edition was published in 1990 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Ellis Island opening as an immigration station. 🌍 Daniels challenges the popular "melting pot" theory, arguing instead that America is more like a "kaleidoscope" where ethnic groups maintain distinct identities while contributing to the whole. 📜 The work was one of the first comprehensive immigration histories to include detailed coverage of illegal immigration and its impact on American society.