The Irish Americans (Immigrant Experience)

Watts, J. F.

ISBN 10: 079103366X ISBN 13: 9780791033661

Publisher: Chelsea House Pub, 1995

Discusses the history, culture and religion of the Irish, factors encouraging their emigration, and their acceptance as an ethnic group in North America

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 7-12 Watts traces Irish history from its Celtic roots through famine and the continuing tragedy of political and religious strife. The emphasis of the book, however, is the history of the Irish in America: establishment of the Catholic Church as an educational and often political force; organization of victimized workers into labor unions; and the early Irish dominance of local urban politics and the Democratic Party. The changing status of Irish Americans is analyzed from their impoverished arrival as immigrants to their 20th-Century contributions in the workplace, public service, and the arts. Although Murphy and Driscoll's An Album of the Irish Americans (Watts, 1974; o.p.) offers larger photographs and a more sub-divided, conversational text, Watts' book has greater detail and currency. Both books cite Kennedy's election as the ultimate acceptance of the Irish, but Watts goes on to mention Ronald Reagan's Irish roots and such contemporary celebrities such as Jimmy Breslin and Mary McCarthy. The profusion of captioned black-and-white photographs, succinct text, bibliography, and index make this a useful addition to secondary libraries where curriculum or curiosity focuses on Irish Americans. Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham, N.C.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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