by Irving Howe
First published 1976
Irving Howe chronicles the massive wave of Jewish immigration that brought two million people from Eastern Europe to America during the 1880s. This monumental population shift created vibrant communities, particularly in New York City, where newcomers faced the challenge of preserving their Yiddish heritage while adapting to American life. Howe examines how these immigrants navigated between two worlds, maintaining religious and cultural traditions even as they pursued new opportunities. The book traces their journeys across all sectors of society, from the grueling conditions of garment industry sweatshops to the glittering heights of Hollywood entertainment, from traditional religious schools to American universities. Howe captures the full spectrum of this transformative experience, showing how an entire generation rebuilt their lives while reshaping American culture in the process.
Genres: history, 20th-century, american, biography-memoir, cultural-studies, american-history
Vibes: historical, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, immigrant-experience
Setting: America, Eastern Europe, New York City
Period: 1880s
734 pages · Hardcover · Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (NY/London)