How to Become an American : A History of Immigration, Assimilation, and Loneliness

"An odyssey from pre-Civil War Charleston to post-World War II Minneapolis through Jewish immigrants' eyes. The histories of US immigrants do not always begin and end in Ellis Island and northeastern cities. Many arrived earlier and some migrated south and west, fanning out into their vast new country. They sought a renewed life, fresh prospects, and a safe harbor, despite a nation that was not always welcoming and not always tolerant. How to Become an American begins with a widow's abandoned diary-and from there author Daniel Wolff examines the sweeping history of immigration into the United States through the experiences of one unnamed, seemingly unremarkable Jewish family, and, in the process, makes their lives remarkable. It is a deeply human odyssey that journeys from pre-Civil War Charleston, South Carolina, to post-World War II Minneapolis, Minnesota. In some ways, the family's journey parallels that of the nation, as it struggled to define itself through the Industrial Age. A persistent strain of loneliness permeates this story, and Wolff holds up this theme for contemplation. In a country that prides itself on being 'a nation of immigrants,' where 'all men are created equal,' why do we end up feeling alone in the land we love?"-- Provided by publisher An odyssey from pre–Civil War Charleston to post–World War II Minneapolis through Jewish immigrants' eyes The histories of US immigrants do not always begin and end in Ellis Island and northeastern cities. Many arrived earlier and some migrated south and west, fanning out into their vast new country. They sought a renewed life, fresh prospects, and a safe harbor, despite a nation that was not always welcoming and not always tolerant. How to Become an American begins with an abandoned diary—and from there author Daniel Wolff examines the sweeping history of immigration into the United States through the experiences of one unnamed, seemingly unremarkable Jewish family, and, in the process, makes their lives remarkable. It is a deeply human odyssey that journeys from pre–Civil War Charleston, South Carolina, to post–World War II Minneapolis, Minnesota. In some ways, the family's journey parallels that of the nation, as it struggled to define itself through the Industrial Age. A persistent strain of loneliness permeates this story, and Wolff holds up this theme for contemplation. In a country that prides itself on being "a nation of immigrants," where "all men are created equal," why do we end up feeling alone in the land we love? Cover 1 HOW TO BECOME AN AMERICAN 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Author’s Note 6 PRELUDE 10 PART 1 South 14 1 16 2 23 3 29 4 34 5 40 6 45 7 51 8 58 9 66 10 72 11 78 PART 2 North 86 12 88 13 96 14 102 15 110 16 118 17 127 18 133 19 140 20 147 21 154 22 161 23 168 24 175 25 183 26 189 27 197 28 206 29 212 POSTLUDE 220 Notes 222 Begins with a widow's abandoned diary - and from there author Daniel Wolff examines the sweeping history of immigration into the United States through the experiences of one unnamed, seemingly unremarkable Jewish family, and, in the process, makes their lives remarkable.