Convention has it that Irish immigrants in the nineteenth century confined themselves mainly to industrial cities of the East and Midwest. The truth is that Irish Catholics went everywhere in America and often had as much of a presence in the West as in the East. In Beyond the American Pale; David M. Emmons examines this multifaceted experience of westering Irish and; in doing so; offers a fresh and discerning account of America's westward expansion."Irish in the West" is not a historical contradiction; but it is — and was — a historical problem. Irish Catholics were not supposed to be in the West—that was where Protestant Americans went to reinvent themselves. For many of the same reasons that the spread of southern slavery was thought to profane the West; a Catholic presence there was thought to contradict it — to contradict America's Protestant individualism and freedom. The Catholic Irish were condemned as the clannish; backward remnants of an old cultural world that Americans self-consciously sought to leave behind. The sons and daughters of Erin were not assimilated; and because they were not assimilable; they should be kept beyond the American pale.As Emmons amply demonstrates; however; western reality was far more complicated. Irish Catholicism may have outraged Protestant-inspired American republicanism; but Irish Catholics were a necessary component of America's equally Protestant-inspired foray into industrial capitalism. They were also necessary to the successive conquests of the "frontier;" wherever it might be found. It was the Irish who helped build the railroads; dig the hard rocks; man the army posts; and do the other arduous; dangerous; and unattractive toiling required by an industrializing society.With vigor and panache; Emmons describes how the West was not so much won as continually contested and reshaped. He probes the self-fulfilling mythology of the American West; along with the far different mythology of the Irish pioneers. The product of three decades of research and thought; Beyond the American Pale is a masterful yet accessible recasting of American history; the culminating work of a singular thinker willing to take a wholly new perspective on the past.
#1111867 in Books B H Publishing Group 2007-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .60 x 5.50l; .65 #File Name: 080544677X1 pagesGreat product!
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. as well as Huckabee’s thoughts and policies regarding them… I’d say that the book is a cross betwen a biography and a societal self-help book and it proved to be enjoyable and easy to read… reminded me several times of why i ...By brenten gilbertI had been looking forward to reading this book for a while now and once i started; it was hard to put it down… a large part of the book talks about how Gov. Huckabee became the governor of Arkansas and it appropriately begins in the midst of the action which is where character is revealed… it also talks a lot about the factors that effect and tend to squash the development of character in the world today; as well as Huckabee’s thoughts and policies regarding them…I’d say that the book is a cross betwen a biography and a societal self-help book and it proved to be enjoyable and easy to read… reminded me several times of why i supported the Governor’s bid as a presidential candidate…** This review was originally written on 29 June 2008 and was recovered from an aStore before it disappeared forever **0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One of the Best Books I've Read This YearBy Lou AnnCharacter Makes a Difference by Mike Huckabee is one of those books I picked up out of curiosity. I had no idea what Mr. Huckabee would say. What a happy surprise! I’ll tell you right off; this is one of my top two books of the year so far. It is well written and one of the most gracious; godly books I’ve ever read.Character Makes a Difference begins with the day Mr. Huckabee was supposed to be sworn in as Arkansas governor. He gets a phone call from convicted felon (check) Jim Guy Tucker; the Governor; saying he will not leave office as he had promised. In detail; Huckabee tells about that day. It is fascinating; because I believe very few people knew what really went on. Huckabee ends up giving a speech to the Arkansan people. “I felt no sense of discomfort of apprehension. I would say what I knew was right for the state; what God had put in my heart.â€He shares later; “That day proved to me that when everybody shares the view that right and truth are not relative conditions; but absolutes; you don’t have to spend a lot of time explaining what to do and why. A few clear; immovable milestones made the day’s decisions easy.â€I loved this: “In order to help improve the spirit of the office; I immediately banned smoking and swearing in the governor’s office . . . . Everyone; from the most senior staff member to entry-level clerks; deserves courtesy and respect on the job.â€This; too: “A leader who is really in charge never has to mention the fact.â€Huckabee says the people of Arkansas are the boss. He had a framed picture behind his secretary’s desk. The picture was changed often. It was titled “Our Boss.†“One week it might be a Girl Scout Troop from Arkadelphia; the next week it might be a teacher in Mount Ida; the next week; a retired farmer in West Memphis. These were the people we had pledged to serve.†He says further; “Servant leadership is the highest form of leadership.â€These quotes will give you a taste of what you’ll see; but there’s much; much more. I was fascinated by the historical context and Huckabee’s godly philosophy. I was personally challenged by some of the stories shared.Regardless of your political affiliation; I think you’ll find this book a wonderful read. Huckabee reaches across the aisle in many ways and on many occasions. I enjoyed his illustrations and his candidness. I loved some of the things he said about his wife; for example. (You’ll be surprised!) The whole emphasis of the book; of course; is the need for character in every aspect of life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. MikeBy D. W.Mike's values are apparent and he lives them - his writing is good and he has a way of telling himself without being arrogant. Refreshing approach for a politician.
