A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America

Takaki does an absolutely phenomenal job in exploring the history of multicultural America highlighting the often ignored and left out parts of history that showcase just how badly the "white european" treated anyone else. It's a great introduction to real American history not the whitewashed versions heard in grade school. It covers nearly every "race" and ethnicity except the Arabs which is why I can only give it 4 stars. By leaving out Arabs it's left out the immigrants from an entire region of the earth. Otherwise the book covers pretty much everyone. Takaki's writing style is fluid and easy to follow making it easy to read an understand yet contains enough depth that it stimulates thought and discussion. ( )

A look at all of the different cultures of America.

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/feb09.html#takakiadm ( )

An amazing book for me to read since I grew up in the decades where much of the history of people of color in America was not present in my history books. This book changed my perspective and profoundly changed me. Brilliant author, easy to read - prepare to be educated. A MUST read for those educated in the American School System prior to the early 1990's. ( )

One of the best books on multi-culturism in America I have read. Mr. Takaki is an excellent writer and uses a comparative approach to understand race and culture through the stories of immigrants. ( )