American Mosaic: The Immigrant Experience in the Words of Those Who Lived it

by Joan Morrison

This extraordinary work of oral history captures the immense drama and full dimensions of the American immigrant experience.  The men and women who tell their stories include such famous names as Alistair Cooke, W. Michael Blumenthal, Edward Teller, and Lynn Redgrave.  But they share these pages with 136 other people whose stories are equally compelling: a Jewish former sweatshop worker and union organizer, a Scandanavian homesteader, a Polish coal miner, an anti-Nazi refugee, a Japanese war bride, a Mexican migrant worker, a Cuban exile, a South African interracial couple, a Soviet dissident, and many more.  They reveal the mingled joy and pain, hardship and triumph that were and are part of the glowing dream and fearful gamble of a new life in a new land.  They offer unique understanding not only of the makeup but of the meaning of America.

Genres: Nonfiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A broad sampling of stories from immigrants to the United States through the 19th century in their own words. Wonderful stories of people loving the freedom the United States offered compared to their home countries, and others of people missing their home countries and families. A great variety of perspectives.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book - filled with stories of people from all walks of life recounting why, when, and how they came to America. Many left behind rich lives that could not be duplicated - some went on to create new dynamic lives in the states. Many escaped harrowing situations or by the luck of the draw lived while others died. This book left me with a deep appreciation for a life force driving one to flourish against the odds and respect for any and all who leave their country in hope of a better life.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating - a mosaic of pieces of individuals lives. As the other reviewers have hinted at, there are some upsetting accounts, but also plenty of intriguing and surprising stories, on everything from a young girl attending Hitler Youth meetings while her brother refused, to the experience of an Irish man arriving in Pittsburgh in the Depression.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's kind of boring but I have to read it. It's all about people that imigrated from different countries, and how their life was before they left their home country. It's not really the type of book i enjoy readin but it's ok.

[LSC-University Park SLRC]

Available through Lone Star College's EBSCO Ebook Collection.

[Emilio]

it is emotinaly tuching

[Dejon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not like this book because I do not like to hear about times were people were killed because of the color of there skin or because there race.