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.
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"Great book, if only it has an updated version! View from 40 years ago... The last few chapters are especially insightful and could apply to other minority groups, such as women. Gave it four stars before finishing I but now think it should be a five."
— Yue (4 out of 5 stars)
“Ethnic America is at once useful as a concise history of major ethnic groups and significant as a quiet but powerful attack on liberal beliefs about minorities, racism, segregation, and affirmative action.”
— New York Times Book Review“[This] should be required reading for anyone interested in policy questions involving race and ethnicity…The book’s extraordinary merit is its application of demographic and economic analysis to historical and social materials.”
— New Republic" Everyone should read this book. It is certain that I do not agree with everything Mr. Sowell writes, but he makes some very good point. "
— Yonnibardavi, 12/8/2013" Kinda boring really, but good info. "
— Jared, 10/4/2013" I found it to be a little dry and some of the info seemed outdated (1972 Census), but overall it was interesting to learn about the settlement and employment patterns of immigrants as the came to the US. "
— Ethan, 3/12/2012" Interesting stories about ethnic groups in America. "
— Tao, 1/27/2012" One of the best books I have read. "
— Thomas, 1/26/2012" A really good survey of the different immigrant groups that came to the United States, and the impact each group had on the economics and culture of the nation. "
— Cavalier973, 8/26/2011" A really fascinating read. I learned some neat things about my own ethnic group as well as the many others that make up America. "
— Kevin, 7/30/2011" Dr. Sowell should be required reading of every American. It's a shame young black kids remain unaware of such a brilliant mind and scholar. I think this is done on purpose to keep segments of our population thinking only one way. "
— Page, 4/27/2011" If I could, I would give this collection of essays by impeccable analyst, Thomas Sowell, a 3.5 rating. Definitely not Keynesian economics, but thought provoking regardless of your politics. "
— ms.petra, 12/15/2010" This was just a republication of many of his weekly essays from the past few years. I had read a majority of these already, so there wasn't much new material for me. "
— Andrew, 11/24/2010" Outstanding book which exposes the hidden agenda of the progressives in both political parties "
— Bob, 9/28/2010" not my cup of tea "
— Patiolinda, 8/25/2010Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of dozens of books and the recipient of various awards, including the National Humanities Medal, presented by the president of the United States in 2003.
James Bundy is an actor, director, and theater manager. In 2002, the Harvard and Yale School of Drama graduate became dean of the Yale School of Drama.