“Takaki begins with the “discovery” of America and proceeds through World War II, devoting chapters of each section to the different experiences of Native Americans, African Americans, Chicanos, Jews, Chinese, and Japanese. An exhaustively detailed history, A Different Mirror is an essential primer for anyone interested in American history and its profoundly multicultural nature. The project of his book, then, is to reflect more authentically the multicultural, multiracial, and multiethnic American character. He goes on to argue that this construction does not accurately reflect the “rich and complex mosaic” of American diversity. “Ronald Takaki begins A Different Mirror with the assertion that “ace…has been a social construction that has historically set apart racial minorities from European immigrant groups” (10). Students will find this overview to be an accessible, cogent jumping-off place for American history and political science assignments, plus a guide to the myriad other sources identified in the notes.” -Barbara Hawkins, Oakton High School, Fairfax, VA for the School Library Journal The author concludes with a summary of today’s changing economic climate and offers Rodney King’s challenge to all of us to try to get along. Students may be surprised by some of the revelations, but will recognize a constant thread of rampant racism. Well-known occurrences, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Trail of Tears, the Harlem Renaissance, and the Japanese internment are included. The narrative is laced with short quotations, cameos of personal experiences, and excerpts from folk music and literature. “Takaki traces the economic and political history of Indians, African Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, and Jewish people in America, with considerable attention given to instances and consequences of racism. The book is an excellent companion to A People’s History of the United States. Ronald Takaki turns the Anglocentric historical viewpoint inside out and examines the ultimate question of what it means to be an American. history in the voices of Native Americans, African Americans, Jews, Irish Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos and others. Winner of an American Book Award, A Different Mirror recounts U.S.
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