The Irish Americans: A History

by Jay P. Dolan

Jay Dolan of Notre Dame University is one of America's most acclaimed scholars of immigration and ethnic history. In The Irish Americans, he caps his decades of writing and teaching with this magisterial history of the Irish experience in the United States. Although more than 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, no other general account of Irish American history has been published since the 1960s. Dolan draws on his own original research and much other recent scholarship to weave an insightful, colorful narrative. He follows the Irish from their first arrival in the American colonies through the bleak days of the potato famine that brought millions of starving immigrants; the trials of ethnic prejudice and "No Irish Need Apply;" the rise of Irish political power and the heyday of Tammany politics; to the election of John F. Kennedy as president, a moment of triumph when an Irish American ascended to the highest office in the land.

Dolan evokes the ghastly ships crowded with men and women fleeing the potato blight; the vibrant life of Catholic parishes in cities like New York and Chicago; the world of machine politics, where ward bosses often held court in the local saloon. Rich in colorful detail, balanced in judgment, and the most comprehensive work of its kind yet published, The Irish Americans is a lasting achievement by a master historian that will become a must-have volume for any American with an interest in the Irish-American heritage.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Irish Literature, Ireland, Historical, American

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2008

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written survey of the trends and personalities in Irish-American history, with particular emphasis on politics (mostly Irish Nationalist and American city local), the labor and unions, and the Catholic Church.

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads somewhat like a text book, which it may be, and sometimes becomes a bit repetitive, but it contains some very interesting information about the Irish in America.

We usually think of Irish immigration to the US as a result of the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s but it began as early as 1718 when the King James was dethroned by William of Orange and the Protestant church became the law of the land. The Catholic Irish swarmed to the "colonies" in America to escape the Penal Laws which were aimed at them. However, life wasn't a whole lot better in the soon-to-be USA and the Irish were only one step up the rung from the African American slaves of the South.

The narrative follows the growing influence of the Irish in religion, politics, labor, and law enforcement and how, against all odds, they became powerful movers and shakers in the large cities, such as NYC, Chicago, and Boston. And all the names are familiar........Mayor Jimmy Walker; Gov. Al Smith who also ran for President; "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, father of Rose Kennedy; Mother Jones, labor leader; Mayor Richard Daley, and the list goes on. It culminated with JFK, the first Irish Catholic to be elected POTUS.

The book drags in a few places and you may find yourself skipping through those parts rather hurriedly but, overall, it is a fascinating look at Irish immigration and how the Irish overcame the senseless prejudices that in the modern era are now aimed at other ethnic groups in the US. Recommended. (This is a re-read for me)

[Cheryl Gatling]

One of my friends (an Asian-American) said to one of my other friends (a Polish-American), "What is it about the Irish?" Everyone in this country has some kind of ethnic heritage, but the Irish are always going on about theirs, with their Irish baby names, their Irish music and Irish jewelry, and their all-out St Patrick's Day celebrations. This book partially answers that question with its last chapter, "It's Chic to be Irish." People are proud to claim the Irish traits of "wit, gregariousness, charm," and to identify with the underdogs who made good. It was not always so, that it was chic to be Irish. The Irish were once despised as drunken, belligerent brutes, and feared as dangerous, suspicious Papists. But it was always true that the Irish clung to their national identity. From the time the Irish began to come to this country, which began in the 18th century, there were Hibernian societies, Irish newspapers keeping people informed about political events in the old country, and St Patrick's Day parades. Letters to family members back home kept the bonds alive. Irish nationalist groups raised money in the states, and Irish militant leaders made tours of the US to spread awareness of their cause. After the famine, prejudice and poverty caused Irish immigrants to cling together in ethnic enclaves. Irish neighborhoods continued into the 1950s, as Irish Americans clustered around their parish church. The church itself provided a shared culture, with Catholic schools and social societies. There is much else in this book. There are many statistics (In New York in 1930, 52% of city employees were Irish) and sketches of the lives of Irish politicians, labor leaders, and clerics. Irish politicians are particularly numerous, culminating in the peak of Irish success, John F Kennedy. As a people they went from the bottom of the heap to the top, so they celebrate.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from a family member. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. It is a very readable history of the Irish in the US. The author, an emeritus professor of history at Notre Dame University, starts out with the forgotten era of Irish emigration to the US--pre 1840. During this period, there was no differentiation between Protestant and Catholic Irish. After the famine migration started, the Protestant Irish began to call themselves "Scotch Irish" a term still used today in the US, but not in Ireland, where the preferred term is Ulster Irish.

In subsequent chapters, he explores Irish contributions in three main areas--the Catholic Church, politics and labor. The Irish came to dominate the church and labor across the US, and politics in many big cities along the East coast of the US.
The final chapter shows that Irish American support for the peace process in Northern Ireland was crucial, both financially and politically.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one that will resonate with so many Americans. Like most Americans I am something of a "Heinz 59" and Irish is definitely in the mix. I think a lot of people can identify with that. Having Irish in one's background is something to be proud of and when you read Dolan's book you will understand why. The immigrants from Ireland have not had an easy ride in American history. In fact, they have not an easy ride before migration to North America. The deprivations faced by this people group required a lot of intestinal fortitude. When the challenge arose the Irish were able to overcome the odds and etch out a place in our nation's story. Jay Dolan brings the social history of the Irish in America to life. Here are a few of the positive and negative aspect to his book.

Mr. Dolan put a lot of time and effort into this work. He packs every page with excellent information and some of the anecdotes are nice additions to the main story-line. I am a historian and there was a lot of things he filled in about Irish history that I was unaware of. He really put the migration of the Irish to America in a good context. After the Irish arrived they had to work jobs that were less than desirable because that's all they could get. They proved to be industrious and willing to do what needed to be done. This tough, hard-working, ambitious nature made the Irish valuable to our history. They came here with the express purpose of succeeding and so often they did. The Irish, although white, had to deal with racism in the United Kingdom and here as well. Of course, the Irish had their own racist sentiments to deal with as well. The relationship between the Irish and the African American community demonstrates that even victims can become perpetrators. As they integrated in American life they became more accepted, yet integration did not mean extinction for their culture and identity.

His explanation of Irish culture highlights how extremely loyal they are to their families and communities. When placed inside the political setting it proved to be interesting although often corrupt. Nepotism, patronage and downright bribery were some of the factors that ran the machine. I remember reading about Tammany Hall and also about the Daley machine in Chicago in one of my political science classes. He talks about the corruption of these two in this book. He is fair however, and focuses on some positive political forces as well. There were many in the Irish political machinery that wanted to reform and clean up some of the corruption. I was especially interested in the things he had to say about President Kennedy's grandfather John Fitzgerald as they shed light on President Kennedy as well. His assessment of the importance of the Catholic church in the Irish community was very enlightening although I knew some about it already. The church often helped reform while at other times it exercised domination over the life of the community. I thought that he was unbiased in his representation of the Catholic church neither shying away from criticism or pandering to it. Not only would this book be beneficial to a religious group but the book would also be helpful in the study of labor movements. The Irish don't mind standing up for their rights and at the heart of these reforms in labor stand the Irish pushing and pulling the cart of progress forward.

The few negative things I have to say are slightly petty. Parts of the book were boring. The chapters were long and sometimes hard to get through. I like to read a chapter a day, and I would rather have 25 shorter chapters than 13 really long ones, but that is just a personal preference. I wish he would have interacted with more primary source documents and it would have been nice if he had included pictures. I realize why he didn't in that it is a big printing cost. Nevertheless, it would have added a nice dimension to the book. I wish he would have spent more time talking about the Scotch Irish. He does talk briefly about them but he never really discussed the role of their churches on the Irish community. I also wished he would have spent more time talking about rural Irish communities like the one that Andrew Jackson was born in. He can be repetitive at times and his organization is little hard to follow. I think however, that it is possible that this is just a personal issue. He is linear but he jumps around sometimes and that makes it harder for me to follow.

Despite these minor issues I can say this would be a great addition to your library. If you are a teacher, a history buff or just an Irish American looking to learn more than this book is excellent. The language of the book is accessible and there is a wealth of information that you can mine here. It is a great starting place for your study but it is not restricted to just "starters." It's chic to be Irish as Dolan says. He says that when most people are asked about their ethnicity it is Irish that they will usually claim. I think it is because the people are scrapers and they often strive hard to get ahead in life. There is a passionate nature in Ireland that I think that resonates with many people. Plus, in a way the Irish are the classic underdog. When they come to America they are often not wanted and their religion frightens many Anglo-Americans. However, a little over a century later they have one of their own in the White House. They are a people with faults but they have made a unique impression on American life.

[Donna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If necessary, one could use this wonderfully comprehensive, yet compellingly narrated book as a resource material. The index is great. But I am really interested in the topic, and so I read it clean through. The history of the Irish as immigrants; the manner in which we wove ourselves into North American history (and not all of it is attractive); and the influence we've had on the country of our origin is well told.

Knowing that 200 years ago my people were dead of old age by the time they were the age I am now, I feel less like complaining of the little aches and pains that visit us as a consequence of having cheated the grim reaper!

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways this is like reading a text book. It deals with politics and the unions . Not only does the author write about the Irish but also the waves of immigrants,. Poles', , Jews Russians, Chinese etc. that came after them. Unlike Emma Lazarus's famous words, none of them were received with compassion. All had to claw their way in this New World, with laws enacted against them and distain and violence heaped on them.

[Kyle McGovern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent overview of the entire history of Irish emigration to the United States and how each wave of immigrants and descendants paved unique paths of assimilation while preserving some traditions and sense of identity. I was surprised to learn about the early waves of Irish Emigration of majority Protestant Irish from the Ulster region pre-American Revolution. I learned from the book that the term 'Scotch-Irish' refers to the descendants of those earliest Irish emigrants in order to distinguish themselves in America from the Irish (Irish Catholics) who come later. What seems to always connect throughout the waves of emigrants is the circumstance of the Irish who land on the shores of America - they all seem to come with low-skill, from poverty and at times starvation, and escaping a hardship that left them no choice but to leave. Often times, the hardships that sparked in Ireland came from the oppression of the British influence and rule over Ireland.

There is much pride that can be garnered by an Irish American reader of this book, as the struggles and eventual triumphs of the Irish people in this country is remarkable. It is important to acknowledge - as the book does - that Irish immigrants had two key advantages over other immigrant groups assimilating into America: the English language, and pale/whiter complexions. It would be a fallacy to ignore the significance of these advantages, but it is equally important to recognize the struggles of anti-Catholic bias as well as the hardships and discrimination that faced the Irish as poor and unskilled immigrant workers. In many ways, the strength of the Irish and Irish Americans community was the emphasis on community cohesiveness and affinity towards politics for upward mobility and stability.

The book outlines the importance of community from the days of tenement slums in cities, to streetcar neighborhoods, to suburbs. The Irish were tight-knit. The book highlights certain key neighborhoods of influence like the Five Points neighborhood of New York. In most if not all Irish American neighborhoods a saloon and church served as the centers of community, activism, and life outside of work. The political involvement of Irish Americans also made them key drivers of political machines across the country, as well as key players in the Labor Movement of the 20th century. Another key stronghold of influence for the Irish was their place in the American Catholic church, truly defining the Catholic Church in America.

It is remarkable that despite the low and harsh conditions that plagued Irish immigrants when they arrived on the shores of the US, they persisted through hardship and discrimination to become arguably one of the most influential ethnic groups in US history. As the book ends, it mentions the fact that almost 20% of the US population identifies as Irish American. Now no doubt those identifiers are of mixed backgrounds, but the fact that Americans are so proud to identify their Irish ancestry shows the long way that the Irish community in America has come.

[Scott Pomfret · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing academic treatment of the history of Irish immigrants to North America (primarily the U.S.) that managed to render inherently interesting material a bit dry. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter, and tries to divide the topic into digestible pieces (labor, politics, religion, and nationalism) and eras (1700-1840, 1840-1920, 1920-1960, and 1960-200), but his approach robs the history of any narrative tension.

In addition, the work often seems unfinished; topics are started but not fully explored. The twentieth century portion (post al Smith) is exceedingly thin and undeveloped relative to what went before. He creates a dichotomy between Brahmin lace curtain Irish on the one hand and blue collar Irish on the other, but does not investigate how this difference transpired. He looks at the different experience of the Irish in different cities but provides very limited analysis or insight to account for the differences. He describes the Irish-American Catholic religious experience in great detail, but does not examine whether it was peculiar to the Irish, to Americans, or to both; one craved some evidence that the experience was distinctive and Irish and not just reflective of a global phenomenon. How did the Irish immigrant experience compare to that of Catholic Germans, Poles, and Italians? From this book, one does not know, but has to content oneself with the author’s assertion at several points that one difference inhered in the “fact” that the Irish spoke English when they arrived while the others did not, a fact the author himself contradicts noting that many immigrants spoke only Irish. The author asserts that Irish nationalism in America dropped off after the establishment of the Free State, and notes that it enjoyed a resurgence in the 1960s and 70s, but no analysis is offered as to why this might be the case. The author starts down the road of citing a move by conservative Irish-Americans to the Republican Party in the Reagan era, but never completes the analysis, because--he seems to decide--the shift is illusory, a notion the current era seems to belie.

It was not uncommon for the author to make a blanket assertion in one paragraph and then just a few paragraphs later cite a fact at apparent odds to the assertion. Typos abound.

There has got to be a better history of Irish Americans than this; I have two more on my bookshelf and will hope for something better.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads a lot like a textbook and I think it was set up to be one rather than a book that someone can pick up and read for pleasure. The book covers the history of the Irish in America extensively. Even though it is a extensive history, and there is a lot of history, I was bored. A lot of the information is repeated several times. It took me quite a long time to read this book. I had trouble really getting into it because it is dry. Even though the author obviously knows a lot about the subject the wiriting does not draw you into the book. If you are looking for a book to give you a lot of names and information this is the book that you need. It was easy to skim over the information while getting the idea which wasn’t what I wanted to do but the writing just wasn’t very exciting.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it tough to read a history book at this time. I knew many pieces of the history and found some of it repetitious like he took a series of lectures or articles that he has written on the topic and put it together without deleting repetitious points. Many of the points made me think about current immigrant problems and how we have become even less receptive to them than we were when the Irish came. Minimum wage, religious freedom, cultural differences are still reflected on as related to the new immigrant which we need to see the differences as more economically based. As economics of new immigrants improve , the differences seem to diminish.... Lots to think about and discuss...

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dolan covers a lot of territory in this history of the Irish coming to America. It's what makes it a good experience and a not-so-good experience reading it. While well-referenced, it's also achingly dense in many areas. As an academic, Dolan packs demographics and statistics and other numbers into paragraph after paragraph making it dry and like a textbook. When he's able to tell stories about individuals, the book becomes more interesting. I found the book informative but rarely was it entertaining like a great non-fiction, history book.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extensive and thorough (but readable!) history of the Irish diaspora in the US from the early 18th century onward. At times it was kind of dry history with names and dates, and at times it was fascinating tales of colorful Irish personalities. I learned what I already kind of new: that the Irish had a horrible time being accepted into the culture of Anglo-America. I further learned how once they made it all the way through the door of inclusion, they immediately turned around and locked it to anyone else. Irish America had and still has a huge racism problem. I also learned a lot that I did not know, about how early Irish immigrants were mostly Protestant and “Scots-Irish”, usually 1st or second generation Scottish ethnic groups from Ulster, Northern Ireland. These were a different kind of Irish than the Catholic potato famine refugees. This book also talks about the Irish mob and the knack for politics that many Irish had, both altruistic and corrupt. Also fun fact: in the 2010 census, 44 million Americans claim they are at least part Irish!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had been around when I was a youngster trying to learn about my roots. I may have grown up in metropolitan Boston, but learned absolutely nothing in school about Ireland or Irish immigration. Inspired by family anecdotes, I've since closed that knowledge gap, but didn't realize how much I STILL didn't know until reading this book. Dolan's compelling description of a countryside laid waste by the Great Famine, his poignant portrayal of the "American wakes" held for imminent emigres, and his discussion of the economic oddities spurring disproportionately large numbers of Irish women to emigrate, as singletons, offer unique insights into the Irish-American culture.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a detailed history of the influx of Irish immigrants to the United States, the places they landed, the jobs they had, and the discrimination that they faced. People often forget how terribly Irish and Italian immigrants to the United States were treated, and this is a great reminder of that. It is crazy to me that a country that was founded on immigration is so vile to immigrants over the course of history into the present day. At any rate, the book was very informative, and I learned a lot. I particularly appreciated this book, as I have always been interested in learning a little more about Irish immigrants due to my ancestry.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

THOROUGH

So full of facts I had to stop from time to time to catch my breath!
The author traces important events in Ireland (before the US was a country) leading up to leaving for America. Irish American influences on labor and politics is emphasized in the last chapters.
(I've heard 'Scotch-Irish' all my life w/o really understanding the term. It couldn't refer to parentage from both Scotland and Ireland because, as my grandmother from Scotland said, "Scotch is a drink; not a nationality."
This book explains it.)

[Gary Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read on the history of American immigration dealing with our Irish friends. I think it is a must read for history buffs. Interesting writing still, easy to read with a nice flow. Balanced with the authors slant. Those that support 'Unions' will enjoy the history of the ongoing struggle for the middle-class. Those that are interested in religious history will also enjoy the research . Thanks Jay P. Dolan.

[Bridget Corcoran]

Let’s be real here: I only read 76% of this then got the rest of information in detailed class notes. I’m never going to look at this book again. I put in a good effort, and I don’t want to resign it to the unfinished pile.

As such, welcome to the wonderful world of Maldretting. Happy Marielle?

[Cynthia Woodlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative read

This was a very informative book. The history of immigration to the United States has always fascinated me. This book provides a great history of Ireland and the immigration to the United States. Highly recommend this book.

[Qweenlindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this was a slow read, but there is an amazing amount of information in it.

[em]

Got this book at a $1 history book sale, why? To eXpLoRe my Irish Catholic heritageeeee

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting facts about some of the most famous Irish Americans, including the Kennedy family, several actors, other politicians, and sports stars.

[Jim Swike · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history, also a great read, not just a textbook. Great resource for research and / or term paper on the topic. Enjoy!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great 300 year history of the Irish people.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, *mostly* well organized. Learned a little about a lot of things i want to learn about more now. Which is fair, as its an only 300 page book covering over 200 years of history.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about Irish American history. Loved it.

[Dennis Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite my Welsh surname the roots of my family tree run mostly to Ireland and for that reason I obviously found this book to be a fascinating read. As I read through this book though it became clear to me that any student of American history would find this to be a very interesting book because it is almost impossible to study American history without having to deal with the Irish. From the canals, railroads and tunnels built by Irish workers to Irish-Americans like John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan who reached the very pinnacle of American life, the Irish have been a key element if the success of America from its very beginning and this book covers its subject extraordinarily well.

One of the things that appealed most to me about this book was the author's coverage of the Irish who arrived in America before the potato famine. Many of my Irish Catholic ancestors arrived in America before the Revolution and almost all of them were here before the famine but those early immigrants are often ignored or it is assumed that they were all Protestant and for the most part Scotch-Irish. The further back into history that one looks the harder it is to come up with sources but this author has not let that deter him from including people like my ancestors in this book.

Given the vast nature of this subject I'm sure that it must have been tempting for Mr. Dolan to try to squeeze as many facts as possible into this book by hitting the reader with a rapid fire kind of approach that would have accomplished little except cause confusion but he has resisted that temptation and has written a thoroughly enjoyable and informative book. Many academics write in a somewhat dry style that makes extracting information from their books into almost a chore but this author writes in a very pleasing and readable manner. He takes the time to include little Shelby Foote type anecdotes that help to keep the text flowing and also serve as key insights into the lives of some very colorful characters. As one blurb for this book points out this is a sweeping and vast story but this author manages to tell that story while at the same time focusing on the individuals who helped to drive that story.

As the author points out at the end of this book it is now rather fashionable to be Irish. Quite a feat for a people who in the not so distant past were often met with signs saying, "No Irish" or "No Irish Need Apply." This is indeed a vast subject but Mr. Dolan has condensed this epic tale into a very enjoyable, factual and thorough survey that would make the perfect starting point for anyone interested in this subject. I ran across a couple of references to surnames in my family tree and learned a little about my personal heritage and a lot about my Irish heritage. There is no attempt to whitewash the darker episodes in the history of Irish-Americans and there are some disturbing episodes in that history. The author does however take the time to explain what might have caused those problems instead of just pointing them out in a critical manner and then moving on. We Irish aren't perfect after all but we are darn close.

[J.S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Irish have been coming to America for a long time. Whether they were fleeing starvation, political or religious oppression, or were just seeking better opportunities they came in such great numbers that sometimes there were more Irish here than in the homeland. Initially it was Protestants mostly from the north, but when devastating famines hit the green isle in the 1800s and British rule became even more oppressive, the Irish Catholics became the bulk of the tide, both men and women. They settled in many places, but big cities saw larger concentrations: New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago.

They were largely unskilled and ended up in the meanest and lowest jobs. They filled the ranks of ditch diggers and domestic servants. They built canals and railroads and filled the factory floors. They endured persecution, both for their lowly stations in society and their Catholicism in what was primarily seen as a Protestant nation. These were the "No Irish Wanted" years. But they persisted, and the second generation succeeded in climbing into higher ranks. The Irish were particularly attracted to politics and law, and the stereotype of the Irish cop was very much a reality. Their knowledge and familiarity with the Anglo-Saxon legal system and the English language gave them an advantage over other immigrants, and they soon became influential in those areas and in organizing labor. Eventually they became a powerful force to be reckoned with, Catholicism became accepted, and one of their own even occupied the most prestigious address in America when JFK moved into the White House.

This book is a good summary of the impact of the Irish in America. It recounts the obstacles they faced and the successes they achieved. It briefly tells the stories of a number of influential Irish Americans, from political and labor leaders to clergy and even a few criminals thrown in. I think it will be enjoyed by those of Irish descent, particularly Irish Catholics. Unfortunately for me, my Irish ancestors were a single family who immigrated around 1845 and left for religious (not Catholic) reasons, which (according to a calculation I once made) leaves me with only about 3% Irish blood in me. It's more on my wife's side, and we always celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but I felt little connection to the story of the Irish Americans and the book wasn't as interesting, reading similarly to a dry textbook.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been curious about my heritage.  In some sense, I'm proud to be Irish, but everything I know about the country comes from books like this.  I've never been.  I don't have any immediate plans to go.  The only tie I have to the O'Connor side of my family is my Aunt Karen (who happens to be working on an incredible family history).  

Most people of Irish ancestry can probably relate perfectly with what I just said, and this book helped me make sense of this.  Dolan does a great job of explaining why.  We are a generation removed from the last politically democratic generation of Irish Americans.  We're the first generation to really embrace Protestantism.  We're a couple generations removed from the last of the Irish to have a strained relationship with blacks (sadly, but explainable, a hallmark Irish Americans).  It's been a few generations since we’ve experienced sustained, systemic prejudice (It was just a few years ago when I was first called a "Mick" in an attempt to insult me.  It was so anachronistic that I couldn't help but laugh).  These days we're way more American than Irish, but there is something achingly compelling about our heritage.  

If your name has an apostrophe in it, you owe it to yourself to check this book out.  

[Andy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author candidly offers an admission that earlier scholarship about Irish Americans has usually omitted any history of the Ulster Scots, a group no less Irish than the Catholic Irish. The first third of the book offers serious commentary about this group. But I do fault the author for abandoning mentioning them in the later chapters of the book that pertain to all the Irish in the more recent centuries. Readers are left with the impression that descendants of the Protestant Irish all ceased to participate in religious, cultural, or political life after 1840. I cringe every time someone repeats the canard about JFK being the first Irish president in the US. There were more than a few US presidents descended from Ulster Scots, and I'm scratching my head at why the book really focused on the Kennedy administration as some kind of turning point. The Catholic perspective of this book attempts to be fair in many instances but occasionally lapses to the more biased perspective. If you merely want to learn about the communities of Catholic Irish Americans from New York City to San Francisco, this is an excellent book. This book is overwhelmingly Catholic and urban in its scope.