The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today's [Hardcover]

Heather Mac Donald (Author), Victor Davis Hanson (Author), Steven Malanga (Author), Myron Magnet (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2, 2007

Undoubtedly the United States needs a liberal and welcoming immigration policy, geared to the needs and interests of the nation. In this urgent new book, three astute observers argue that we have lost control of our southern border, so that the vast majority of our immigrants are now illegal Mexicans. Poor, uneducated, and unskilled, these newcomers add much less to the national wealth than they cost the taxpayers for their health care, the education of their children, and (too often) their incarceration. The Immigration Solution proposes a policy that admits skilled and educated people on the basis of what they can do for the country, not what the country can do for them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Immigration Solution is a cogent analysis of our illegal immigration crisis and the public policy choices facing America. This book is a critically important read for our elected officials and the citizens they should be representing. (Lou Dobbs )

The Immigration Solultion is not just another book about the catastrophe caused by millions of illegal aliens flooding our country; it is a call to arms combined with an outline for a sensible immigration policy. If every member of Congress would read this book, we might be able to begin the process of securing our borders and reducing the number of illegal immigrants within them. (Thomas Tancredo, United States Congressman from Colorado )

In this book, the writers from City Journal again show why that magazine is so indispensible. Having helped change conventional wisdom on the urban problems of crime and welfare, they have now taken a hard look at an issue even more suffused with sentimentality and cliche. The Immigration Solution is essential reading for anyone seeking to develop an informed opinion on this vital national issue. (Krikorian, Mark )

The divise debate over immigration is going to continue for some time to come. MacDonald, Malanga, and Hanson lucidly present their concerns over the current direction of immigration policy and offer more than a few suggestions for change. Even if you disagree with their preferred policy changes, their suggestions are serious, provocative, and worthy of careful thought – and, regardless of your ideological background, you might actually find yourself nodding more than a few times as your read through the book. (Dr. George Borjas )

The Immigration Solution demolishes open-borders myths and provides a clear, sane path toward an immigration plan that benefits America and adheres to the rule of law. Heather Mac Donald, Victor Davis Hanson, and Steven Malanga battle muddled amnesty advocates with impeccable logic, facts, and principle. This book is not just a must-read. It's a must-do. (Michelle Malkin, author of Invasion )

The Immigration Solution is an excellent new book that discusses illegal immigration without the political rhetoric, spin, demagoguery, and unsubstantiated claims that have become all too common in the media and among politicians. It was written by three scholars at leading think tanks -- Heather Mac Donald and Steve Malanga of the Manhatten Institute and Victor Davis Hanson of The Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Unlike many other scholars, they know how to write so that the general public can understand what they are saying. (Thomas Sowell Real Clear Politics )

Recommended for both high school and college-level classroom debate. (Midwest Book Review )

Excellent summary of the state of economic, sociological and historical play in the immigration debate. (Peter Brimelow )

An excellent new book that discusses illegal immigration without...political rhetoric [and] spin. (Thomas Sowell Washington Times )

Certain to kick up some dust. (Larry Cox Shelf Life )

About the Author

Heather Mac Donald is author of The Burden of Bad Ideas and Are Cops Racist? and lives in New York City. Victor Davis Hanson's most recent book is A War Like No Other; his syndicated column appears in newspapers throughout the country. He lives in Palo Alto, California. Steven Malanga's most recent book is The New New Left. He lives in West Orange, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee (November 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566637600
• ISBN-13: 978-1566637602
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers many bases. Packed with facts., November 13, 2007

By 

Zato Ici (Starbucks, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today's (Hardcover)

Absolutely first rate. This is a collection of essays from three authors. In a trim 183 pages they cover economics, education, health care, effects on society, and much more. Its strength is the descriptive prose of its authors. Great background reading for anyone whose state or community is grappling with changing its laws to adjust for the presence of many illegal immigrants.

Author Malanga gives a broad historical view. Heather Mac Donald, the volume's prime contributor, offers lively descriptions with highly fascinating details of topics like schools, gangs, and the actions of Mexican diplomats. Professor Hanson describes how his neighborhood has changed in recent years, offering telling incidents from his personal experience.

The title's "Solution" is a tad misleading. You are five pages from the end when you move from description of the problem on to an outline of a solution. But in admirable style, Malanga zips out a series of practical measures.

Occasionally one wishes for tighter editing. "This year" on p. 54 refers to 2006. A reference to the Hagel-Martinez Senate bill on p. 63 probably needed no elaboration when it was written. Today it leads to one to a distracting diversion into the dustbin of recent amnesty attempts.

The authors deserve high praise for covering the topic from a holistic view, for avoiding the hysterical focus on the border of activists with a narrow view, and for raising concerns without fear mongering. Five stars.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book recommended for both high school and college-level classroom debate., December 2, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today's (Hardcover)

Three observers of modern immigration issues and border control debates offer their own analysis of how current policies have led to a loss of control of our borders in THE IMMIGRATION SOLUTION, a description of a new form of Hispanic underclass and the Mexican government's involvement in abetting illegal immigration to the U.S. Chapters consider the growing impact of Hispanic immigrants on the American economy, and outline policies for positive change in a book recommended for both high school and college-level classroom debate.

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Illegal Immigration Crisis is Almost Out of Control, January 29, 2008

By 

David Thomson "Second Rate Eric Hoffer Imitator" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today's (Hardcover)

In the introduction of this well argued collection of essays, Myron Magnet points out how the illegal immigrant advocates engage in an Orwellian misuse of language. They describe themselves as "pro-immigration" and not defenders of law breaking. The Late Milton Friedman warned, "that you can't have free immigration and a welfare state." Rarely, if ever, in our nation's past did immigrants receive welfare benefits. Illegitimacy rates were low and the newest residents desperately attempted to improve their lot in life. Today's illegal immigrants, especially within the Hispanic community, are often anti-intellectual and hostile towards the very idea of assimilating into the wider American community. A dangerous permanent underclass is turning many of our cities and towns into dystopian hell holes. Many well meaning people are so intimidated by the false charge of racism and "nativism" that they prefer to pretend the problem really doesn't exist. The intellectual virus of political correctness regretfully dominates the discussion. Rational and dispassionate dialogue is often near impossible. Sadly, many Hispanic citizens are also guilt tripped into believing they owe something to these illegal residents. The situation is only getting worse. Time may not be on our side. We obviously are not going to shoot and mistreat the illegals. It is best that we instead find realistic solutions to resolve the crisis. This book offers some excellent recommendations.

The MSM hides the brutal truth from the American people. Few realize that the Mexican government, for instance, hypocritically encourages its own citizens to enter our country illegally---while it treats its own illegal immigrants like subhuman creatures. This is a relatively short book of only 183 pages and an index. It is perhaps the best book available for those who desire to acquire a better understanding of this issue in a relatively short period of time. You need to especially read The Immigration Solution before voting in November.