In the nineteenth century; virtually anyone could get into the United States. But by the 1920s; U.S. immigration policy had become a finely filtered regime of selection. Desmond King looks at this dramatic shift; and the debates behind it; for what they reveal about the construction of an "American" identity.Specifically; the debates in the three decades leading up to 1929 were conceived in terms of desirable versus undesirable immigrants. This not only cemented judgments about specific European groups but reinforced prevailing biases against groups already present in the United States; particularly African Americans; whose inferior status and second-class citizenship--enshrined in Jim Crow laws and embedded in pseudo-scientific arguments about racial classifications--appear to have been consolidated in these decades. Although the values of different groups have always been recognized in the United States; King gives the most thorough account yet of how eugenic arguments were used to establish barriers and to favor an Anglo-Saxon conception of American identity; rejecting claims of other traditions. Thus the immigration controversy emerges here as a significant precursor to recent multicultural debates.Making Americans shows how the choices made about immigration policy in the 1920s played a fundamental role in shaping democracy and ideas about group rights in America.
#222927 in Books Bob Hoover Mark Shaw 1997-08-01 1997-08-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .80 x 6.12l; .82 #File Name: 067153761X320 pagesForever Flying
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Would recommend but still think book is less than inspiringBy C. L. JohnsonNot as engrossing as one would expect from a test pilot who was at the vanguard during the transition from propeller to jet flight. I think the tthing that distracts most is Bob's penchant for following the dollar in civilian test flight that slugging it out the way his military buddies did. He seems to be riding on the coat-tails of Chuck Yeager and the others from "Muroc" to sell his story. Would recommend but still think book is less than inspiring.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Words can hardly describe...By Rodger EwingI was blessed to have met the author and aviation icon; Bob Hoover in the mid-80's. As a fellow pilot and airshow participant I felt lucky to stand in his company and learn from his tales and tidbits of flying technique. His book will allow you to share in his life; one filled with aircraft; flying and pushing the envelope. From his first flight to his fight with the FAA who tried to ground him as "old and worn out" Bob Hoover paints an amazing portrait of what flying is really about.There are two types of people in the world... those who fly and those who wish they could. read Bob Hoover's book and allow him to take you on a wild ride or two and see what it means to strap on the aircraft and own it. I strongly recommend this book and know you will enjoy it cover to cover.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I was so disappointed to find this book for one centBy Bernie WillisBob Hoover is the kind of fellow we all used to look up to; strong; bold and prepared to handle the unexpected. A man who really did stuff that made a difference for our future. Reading this book demonstrated the huge difference between the current American pop culture and the culture of our youth 65 years ago. There was a time when we looked to the future years instead of the next Saturday night; a time when young men dreamed of making a difference for the world instead of a dream of getting by until tomorrow. I was so disappointed to find this book for one cent. It should have cost $10.00. While its Bob Hoovers story it really is a story of how America once was and how it can be again.
