Beyond the Melting Pot, Second Edition: The Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York City [Paperback]

Nathan Glazer (Author), Daniel P. Moynihan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harvard-MIT Joint Center for Urban Studies Series | Publication Date: June 15, 1970

Beyond the Melting Pot was one of the most influential books published during the 1960s. This second edition includes a new 90-page Introduction, "New York City in 1960," in which the authors, with all their previous depth and verve, examine the turn of events since 1963, the date of the first edition. Their concerns are directed to such developments as the rise of militant black demands and the response to these of the city's peoples and political structures; the decline of Catholic power in Lindsay's New York and the rise in power of Jews and WASPs; the growth of a black middle class and the economic and political difficulties of the Puerto Ricans.The authors note that events and further study have led them to change their views on several matters, and these points are clarified in the Introduction. Nevertheless, most of their perceptions and their central thesis (that "melting pot" assimilation does not happen) remain as valid as ever. In the same way, these appraisals of the first edition remain fully in force:Richard H. Rovere, The New Yorker: "Beyond the Melting Pot... is perhaps the most perceptive inquiry into American minorities ever made."Oscar Handlin, New York Times: "They have put together a thoughtful analysis that will help Americans deal with one of the most pressing problems of the great cities. That itself is a substantial accomplishment."Harpers Magazine: "...sure in its grasp of relations between economic and social fact, cogent, complex, and brightly written."Time Magazine: "...provocative...Glazer...and Moynihan...write with a refreshing candor on a subject that is usually treated all too delicately.... They write compassionately of the problems minority groups have faced, but they forthrightly point out that many of these problems are compounded by each group's special characteristics."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nathan Glazer, a Fellow of the American Academy since 1969, has written extensively on issues of ethnicity and race in American society. He is professor of sociology and education emeritus at Harvard University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; second edition edition (June 15, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026257022X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262570220
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Study of Urban Life., November 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond the Melting Pot, Second Edition: The Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York City (Paperback)

Daniel Patrick Moynihan's sociological study, " Beyond The Melting Pot; The Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York City" provided sociologists a basis for interpreting the cultural differences in an urban society. Besides being a fascinating and amazingly well written book, it truly is a must read for anybody who wants to truly understand the racial/ethnic conflict in America today. This book rings as true in the year 2000, as it did in the 60's

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic of social analysis, February 8, 2005

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Beyond the Melting Pot, Second Edition: The Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York City (Paperback)

This work when it was first published stirred great controversy as it seemed to be overthrowing a fundamental American ideal, the melting pot. My great teacher of American Studies at Cornell University, Cushing Strout used to however point out that America was more like a ' salad bowl'than a melting pot. You put different elements in and some new dish emerged while the old elements nonetheless preserved their original identity. Moynihan and Glazer portray with sympathy and insight the worlds of New York Negroes( today 'blacks')Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians and Irish. They make understand that the way to a richer and more harmonious America is not through the destruction of communal pasts and identities but rather through the transformation of them to help create a better America.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars dated, but informative and well written, April 19, 2003

By 

JSB-Chicago (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond the Melting Pot, Second Edition: The Negroes, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Italians, and Irish of New York City (Paperback)

Beyond the Melting Pot is informative and very well written, but a little dated. Of the five ethnic groups profiled - blacks, Puerto Ricans, Jews, Irish, and Italians - the last two are not so ethnic anymore, nor numerous. Also, Arabs, Asians, and South Americans are missing. (though I suppose much of what is written about Jews would sound familiar to someone with knowledge of East (and South) Asian-Americans)

However, as a history of the five ethnic groups it sets out to profile, Beyond the Melting Pot is excellent. It outlines the differing values each group had, plus the niches each group filled. Beyond the Melting pot also avoids misrepresentation by not reducing everything to economics, and admitting that certain groups/cultures really can value (and excel at)different things, something probably offensive to pc'ers.