The Irish Way: Becoming American in the Multiethnic City (Penguin History of American Life)

In the '50's, I grew up in the West in a family dominated by the Irish side, in a parish dominated by Irish clergy and in a community in which many Irish (my father included) still worked for the railroads. I never knew the prejudice faced by the Irish who peopled The Irish Way. I never knew how the Irish sometimes fought with and demeaned other ethnic groups. I never thought about the importance of the Irish in unions and public service. I never realized that educating Irish daughters (as I was) was a long tradition as was teaching (which I did for 43 years) and nursing. I never realized how the Irish infiltrated the entertainment industry nor did I realize how ubiquitous was the Irish politician. As Professor Barrett says, the farther west the Irish went, the better it got. I would love to see him write a history of the Irish in the West.

Great read covering 200 years of Irish in America. Covers a wide variety of subject pertaining to Irish emigration

Extremely well-written, with great references to sources. This book does a great job of giving historic perspective to the impact the Irish have made in America, and particularly the impact they made on other immigrants for other countries.

Absoloutly nothing you haven't read before. A waste of money for anyone other than a complete novice on the Irish issue.

Well written, well balanced, and thoughtful, James Barrett's book tells us not only what was happening but why. The social forces surrounding the immigration experience transcend the Irish experience, though for various reasons the Irish experience is unique. This is a must read for anyone interested in Irish history, immigration history, or labor history.

I enjoyed learning that mobsters of other ethnic backgrounds took on Irish names. And that Irish women named Bridget were counseled to change THEIR names. Irish in the theater, Irish in politics. As I say, lot of fun.

Great book for all to read! Really great history and is a book that anyone could sit down and read.

Interesting. But it got into too much repetitive detail.

Very interesting book, have not finished it yet.

Anyone interested in Irish history, and particularly the US diaspora, this is a must read. Very well documented and easy to read.

GOOD READ

Fascinating and illuminating account of how the Irish 'civilised' newer immigrants to in New York and Boston