Walter D. Kamphoefner

This book is packed with information and references, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good in that you can clearly follow the reasoning in his findings, bad in that the reader has to sometimes plow through a lot of repetitive quotes and bits of information. I set out to find out more about the German experience in the US, in part as contrast to the Italian experience, and the differences are enormous. At times the author does treat other immigrant groups including the Italians in show more a rather unfair light, in my opinion. For example, he compares the number of people of German descent that enlisted in the military in WW I and wonders why other groups were not as well represented - three reasons from the Italian American side - many were newly arrived with young families and were technically exempt; others worked in what were considered crucial industries, such as coal mining; and still others went back to Italy to fight for their home country, as the US forces were not engaged in the Italian/Austrian front. That said, I did learn quite a bit so my personal mission was fulfilled. 3 stars but probably more like 3.5 stars overall show less

News from the Land of Freedom German Immigrants Write Home, edited by Walter D. Kamphoefner, Wolfgang Helbich, and Ulrike Sommer translated by Susan Carter Vogel (read 9 Sept 2023) Letter by Germans who came to America in the 19th century. They mostly say the same thing--usual affirmative. Mostly by Protestants, so not oarallelilng my ancestors. I sometimes thought the editors skimmed out what might have been interesting .partts of the letters.