Summary

Long considered the majority of the United States' population, European Americans originally arrived to the continent from many disparate places and linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Beginning with the British Puritans, the waves of European immigrants have come to America from Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, to escape famine, revolution, and political or religious oppression, or simply to begin a new life. By the 21st century, these communities have become a "melting pot" even as they maintain many of their original customs.

The European Americans examines the history of this ethnic group in America, as well as the foods they ate, how they dressed, entertainment, work, education, popular pastimes, political activity, and their contributions and conflicts in American society. This new title is essential reading for anyone interested in this diverse ethnic group.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Maps. Index. Glossary. Box features. Further reading lists.

About the Author(s)

General editor Rodney P. Carlisle earned his B.A. in history from Harvard and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of California in Berkeley. He is a former chair of the history department at Rutgers University in Camden, where he taught for more than 30 years, specializing in 20th-century history. Carlisle is now professor emeritus there. He has written and edited many articles and more than 30 books on history, including Facts On File's Handbook to Life in America set.