The Promise Fulfilled : A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today

“Odd Lovoll provides fascinating and important insights about the distinctive presence in American life of Norwegian immigrants and their ancestors. Then again, I might be biased.” —Walter F. Mondale, Norwegian American and former U.S. Vice President Continuing the story begun in the best-selling The Promise of America, prominent historian Odd S. Lovoll details where Norwegian Americans live and to what extent their dreams and expectations of life in the United States have been achieved. From traditional lutefisk dinners to civic activism, Lovoll uncovers the festive spirit of contemporary Norwegian-American culture. This vibrant ethnic community maintains ties through genealogy, family reunions, and a shared culinary and arts and crafts heritage. Lovoll’s lucid, engaging, and nuanced history is essential reading—and a popular gift—for anyone interested in Scandinavian culture. “The Promise Fulfilled is a fascinating and enlightening read from cover to cover.” —Norseman Odd S. Lovoll immigrated to the United States from Norway in 1946. He is professor emeritus of history at St. Olaf College and the author of The Promise of America: A History of the Norwegian-American People, revised edition (Minnesota, 1999). On October 9, 1825, the sloop Restauration sailed into New York harbor with the first fifty-three Norwegian immigrants to America. In the next 100 years over 800,000 people would leave Norway to become members of a proud new community in the United States. Today, the Norwegian American population numbers nearly 4 million -- almost as many people as live in Norway.The Promise Fulfilled is an enlightening -- and not uncritical -- consideration of Norwegian American history, continuing the story begun in the bestselling The Promise of America. Prominent historian Odd S. Lovoll details where Norwegian Americans live, what kinds of jobs they hold, how their ethnic heritage is passed on, and to what extent their dreams of life in the United States have been fulfilled.Lovoll researched historical documents, conducted an extensive questionnaire, and performed hundreds of follow-up interviews. He introduces us to wheat farmers in North Dakota, halibut fishermen in the Pacific Northwest, and carpenters in Brooklyn who all consider themselves Norwegian Americans. He interviews prominent Norwegian Americans, like Walter Mondale, and everyday people -- factory workers, at-home mothers, small-business owners, and teenagers. One unique aspect of The Promise Fulfilled is Lovoll's pioneering consideration of the social history of all seven generations of Norwegian Americans.From the traditional luterisk dinners to civic activism, Lovoll uncovers the festive spirit of contemporary Norwegian American culture. This vibrant ethnic community, with large enclaves in New York City, California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest, maintains ties through genealogy, family reunions, and a sharedculinary and arts and crafts heritage. Lovoll's lucid, engaging, and nuanced history will be essential reading -- and a popular gift for anyone interested in Scandinavian culture. The Promise Fulfilled Is An Enlightening Presentation Of Norwegian-american History, Continuing The Story Begun In The Best-selling Promise Of America. Prominent Historian Odd S. Lovoll Details Where Norwegian Americans Live, What Kinds Of Jobs They Hold, How Their Ethnic Heritage Is Passed On, And To What Extent Their Dreams And Expectations Of Life In The United States Have Been Achieved. Ch. 1. Shifting Face Of Norwegian America -- Ch. 2. In The American Mosaic -- Ch. 3. Burden And The Glory -- Ch. 4. Perspectives On The American Dream -- Ch. 5. Legacy Of National Mutuality -- Ch. 6. Norwegian-american Matrix. Odd S. Lovoll. Published In Cooperation With The Norwegian-american Historical Association. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 263-286) And Index. CONTENTS......Page 8 PREFACE......Page 10 1. THE SHIFTING FACE OF NORWEGIAN AMERICA......Page 18 2. IN THE AMERICAN MOSAIC......Page 52 3. THE BURDEN AND THE GLORY......Page 94 4. PERSPECTIVES ON THE AMERICAN DREAM......Page 156 5. A LEGACY OF NATIONAL MUTUALITY......Page 200 6. THE NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN MATRIX......Page 236 NOTES......Page 280 B......Page 304 C......Page 305 E......Page 306 H......Page 307 J......Page 308 L......Page 309 N......Page 310 P......Page 312 S......Page 313 T......Page 314 W......Page 315 Z......Page 316