The Filipino Americans (The New Americans) [Hardcover]

Barbara M. Posadas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313297428 | ISBN-13: 978-0313297427 | Publication Date: November 30, 1999

In the year 2000, Filipino Americans will be the largest Asian American group. This volume is the first detailed historical study of the major post-1965 immigration of Filipinos to the United States. It provides comprehensive coverage of the recent Filipino American experience, from the pivotal Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, under which most Filipinos entered this country, to their values and customs, economic and political status, organizational affiliations, and contemporary issues and problems. Students and interested readers will be rewarded with a rich portrayal of individual immigrants and their stories. Filipino Americans emigrated from a nation that has a special relationship with the United States, dating from 1898 to 1946, when the Philippines was a U.S. colony. After a brief account of Philippine history, The Filipino Americans introduces a diverse immigrant population, with accounts of students, sailors, war brides, and nurses who arrived before 1965. Legislation in 1965 encouraged immigration of professionals, predominantly physicians and nurses, and permitted them to bring relatives. Posadas shows how these new Americans attempted to retain Philippine values and customs amid American economic, political, and cultural life. Family issues discussed include education and the "model minority," gangs, divorce, and aging in a different culture. In addition, future immigration is an important topic, as many kin are left behind. The final chapter on Filipino American identity has particular relevance with today's multicultural debates. Tables, photos, a glossary, and biographical profiles complement this outstanding look at these new Americans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the strengths of the book lies in the author's ability to weave personal stories of success and failure, of "making it in America," into the tapestry of a multicultural and multiracial America.”–Journal of American Ethnic History

“Even though the books in the New Americans series are designed for high school and general readers, they are quite valuable for college students and teachers as well....With this book, Posadas has established herself as the leading authority on Filipino Americans.”–American Reference Books Annual

“Filipino Americans is a remarkable introduction to the Filipino American community....this book fills many gaps and pulls together scattered knowledge, In sum, Posadas' work is an invaluable piece.”–JAAS

About the Author

BARBARA M. POSADAS is Professor of History and Director of the M.A. Concentration in Historical Administration at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (November 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313297428
• ISBN-13: 978-0313297427
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,805,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive look at the Filipino Community and Identity, October 12, 2000

By 

A.Basarudin (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Filipino Americans (The New Americans) (Hardcover)

A rich portrayal of Filipino Americans, this book is divided into three parts: Part 1 deals with a brief history of the Philippines from before 1898 until 1965 and the immigration of Filipinos to America. Part 11 examines the Filipino immigration after 1965; the U.S Immigration Laws, Filipino community in the U.S, Filipino identity - values, customs, practices, foods, their political and economic participation. Part 111 discusses the Filipino American in entering the twenty-first century; social issues concerning family and community, the future of Filipino immigration, the American dream and the Filipino American identity as the American identity.