Immigrant Voices: New Lives in America, 1773-1986

by Thomas Dublin (Editor)

In this richly evocative collection ten men and women of European, Latin
American, and Asian backgrounds tell of their immigrant experiences. They range from a Shetland Islander who sailed to Virginia as an indentured servant before the American Revolution to a Vietnamese refugee family living in Chicago in the 1980s.
Thomas Dublin presents diaries, letters, reminiscences, and oral history in a volume that memorably reflects the diversity and commonalties of two centuries of U.S. immigration. His introduction places the primary sources in a broad interpretive framework and offers readers an overview of the place of immigration in national development.
 

Genres: History, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1993

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read primarily for the first-hand/primary source accounts (which are excellent).

[Janet Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25
Read for WSGS 201

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of excerpts from writings by/about immigrants to the U.S. between 1773-1986...i personally found the first few chapters extremely boring & hard to get through, but the book got progressively better with each chapter (I guess as an immigrant I found it easier to identify with more recent immigrants and enjoyed their stories more). Very interesting stories, each representing the struggles and immigrant experience of people from Italy, Germany, Russia, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, Korea, and Mexico.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great account of immigrants in their own words! This book contains diaries, letters, interviews and notes from immigrants to America from the 1700's to the 1980's. I especially liked the story of the young Italian Rosa Cassettari. Did you know our grandmother's delivered their own babies?

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these first-person accounts of immigrants coming to America. We're using this book in a class I'm taking, but it is something I would pick up and read regardless of being assigned.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting collection of first-hand accounts from American immigrants. This book touches three different centuries and at least 4 ethnic groups perspectives and experiences in coming to and adjusting to America.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great compilation of immigrant stories (note the range of dates the book covers) that range from recorded histories of regular people you'd meet on the street to excerpts from published works.