From every end of this earth : 13 families and the new lives they made in America

by Steven V. Roberts

Roberts follows the stories of thirteen families in this poignant, eye-opening look at immigration in America today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Book Club

323 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2009

Reviews

[Violet Morando(God's version)]

I've read this before so many times. I love it every time I read it. My favorite Nonfiction book so far :D

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today immigration is a hot topic in this country. Although this book was written in 2009, it is still apropos today. The author, Steven Roberts, takes the story of 11 families that escaped persecution in one form or another, in their native country and immigrated to the United States. The stories are fraught with the problems they had being accepted in this country, and the problems they had shedding the yoke of their old country. It is to their credit that they were able, with their families, to assimilate into this new culture.

A wonderful read that gives insight how immigrants have made the United States a better place to live and work.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice collection of immigrant stories from throughout the world. While most of the accounts were interesting, they were often a bit too journalistic and rigid.

Where the book really failed for me was in the overly drawn out introduction at the beginning of the book and at the start of each section. The only purpose they seemed to serve was in spoiling the content of the stories that I was about to read. When I read further to each individual story it seemed to be a reiteration of the section intro. I would recommend skipping over all of the introductions and just read the individual chapters.

[Iris G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories- as most immigrant stories are- are fascinating. Unfortunately, the authors use of words such as "illegals", "aliens", etc. struck me the wrong way, as were the ways he would paraphrase the immigrants' often faulty English which is something that would surely be uncomfortable and embarrassing for them to know about. I am a child of immigrants and live near the authors very liberal hometown, so I am well aware of the ways this book could have been written in a more respectful matter and humanizing towards the interviewees.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are certainly interesting stories and I appreciate the sentiment, but I found the book very frustrating.

Part of that was the introduction to the whole book and then to each section, where there ended up being a lot of repetition when you were in the individual stories. Those should have been eliminated.

Also, there were some weird choices of phrasing, sometimes with really trite commentary on horrific things, or false connections used to build a narrative that didn't really seem justified.

Missed potential.

[seeta jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for my Advanced Reading Class as English learner. It is easy to read and understand. Moreover, I had a quite similar feelings as these families. I left my country to study in the US, yet I will go back to my country.
It is a good and enjoyable book.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, particularly when he was writing about more than one generation & their reactions to immigrating. The introductions to each section didn't seem really necessary but otherwise I found it well written & an enjoyable read

[Raianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

very intresting

[Alyssa McKeone · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts out interesting, but then slowly dwindles to long, drawn out narratives.

[Ellyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the stories of 13 immigrant families, their journeys to America, their efforts to survive and thrive, and the contributions they've made to this country. They are war refugees, entrepreneurs, students, and international businessmen. They are rich and poor, young and old, and they come from all corners of the world. Their stories vary tremendously, yet there are so many similarities, and I found them all to be fascinating. The author really highlights what a risk and challenge it is to come to a new country, and the immigrants come across as brave and persevering, dreamers but also really hard workers. I can't quite fathom what it must feel like to have one foot in one place and one foot in another and to not feel a true sense of belonging in either place. I thought it was interesting to read the stories of the immigrants' children as well, many of whom are my age, and to see how their lives have been shaped by their parents' experiences and sacrifices and by the bridging of two cultures. This is such as important book, especially in today's political climate. Highly recommended.

[Jiuyang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read one chapter of this book. This book talks about thirteen families and their new life in American. In chapter one, It shows a real fact of Vietnam. People in Vietnam suffered lots of warfare. The protagonist shows great courage and perseverance to escape from Vietnam to American. It encourage me a lot.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in this book are at times heartbreaking and hard to fathom, as well as inspirational and hard to imagine. The writing was simple and easy to read, though there were many passages that were repeated, which I don't really appreciate. The stories were worth the read though.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly, I did not spend a lot of time with this book. I wanted to meet the families profiled here, but the uneven integration of quotes from the immigrant families into the narrative as a whole was very distracting.

[Jill Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes you feel blessed to live in this country. Every time I hear someone complain about our government or leaders, I think of where these immigrants came from and why they sacrificed so much and that helps put things into perspective.

[Elizabeth]

As heard on "The Diane Rehm Show" on WYPR.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming to read how much these new immigrants believe in America despite their sometimes awful treatment by Americans.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this will make you appreciate the country that we live in more than before.

[Suzanne Auckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profiles of 13 immigrants that are well written.

[Robin Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facinating accounts of families who left their homelands to come to the US. It is 13 "short stories" so an easy read.

[Kim López · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely interesting and uplifting stories in this book, but in my opinion it lacked more typical stories of what life is like for immigrants to the United States. Overall a good book though

[Christine Comito · Rating 3 out of 5]

13 stories (nonfiction) of current immigrants and the lives they made in America

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting information but way too repetitive. Recommend skipping any intro to book divisions and chapters or you'll already know the person's story.