A well-written and researched book on the history of immigration, though almost too heavy on the data and figures sometimes- a bit overwhelming. But still highly recommended for those interested in Immigration in the early and mid-20th century. ( )

In this ambitious book, Roger Daniels attempts to trace the history of immigration in the United States from 1882 to the present day. The massive scope of the book means that it is filled with valuable information, but it also means that the mere 328 pages (with only 268 pages making up the body of the book) are rather too jam-packed with facts and figures for the average reader.

There’s no doubt that I learned a lot from this book. Daniels explores so many facets of immigration that it’s hard to imagine the reader who wouldn’t learn something. , but to be honest, this book brought on a classic case of information overload.

Guarding the Golden Door contains plenty of information, but it’s lacking the human element that can make history compelling. A single narrative about an immigrant may not give readers a sense of the scope of the issue, but it can make a bigger impact, especially if it is couched in a discussion that brings in some of the larger issues. Only rarely does Daniels mention actual individuals behind the numbers, and I needed to hear their voices.

This book might be very helpful for a class on immigration or as a reference to keep on the shelf, but it’s not really a great read.

See my complete review at Shelf Love. ( )