Summary

This collection of over 400 biographies of eminent ethnic Americans celebrates a wide array of inspiring individuals and their contributions to U.S. history.

* Chronicles the lives of 400 eminent ethnic Americans

* Includes outstanding achievers in every field--the arts, politics, science, religion, and sports

* Suggests both print and nonprint resources for further research following each entry

* Indexed by both ethnicity and field/profession

Booklist Review

This source provides short (500 to 530 word), signed biographies of approximately 400 "models of eminent Americans" from all ethnic backgrounds, including Madeleine Albright, Ingrid Bergman, Jacob Riis, Martina Navratilova, I. M. Pei, Tecumseh, and Oprah Winfrey. The author's aim was to assemble a representative group of people "who illustrate the opportunities America has provided those able to overcome the obstacles (and motivated enough) to take advantage of these opportunities." The subjects represent 90 different ethnic groups from all periods of American history and include indigenous peoples, immigrants, the children of immigrants, and, for some groups, third-or later-generation Americans. Eleven broad categories of occupations are represented. In addition to the care the editor took to balance the different ethnic groups and historical time periods, he was careful to include 100 women. Entries are arranged alphabetically. Each begins with the subject's full name, birth date (and death date), occupation(s) or spheres of influence, and ethnicity, and ends with a bibliography of references. The text succinctly places the biographee in historical context, outlines major accomplishments, and describes obstacles he or she has overcome. All the entries are chatty and interesting to read. Lists of individuals by occupation and by ethnicity facilitate access. Because short, easily accessible biographies of many of these people are difficult to find, this volume will be a welcome addition to collections in high-school, junior-college, college, and public libraries that seek to improve access to multicultural materials. Although there is a great deal of reference material on American biography and on specific ethnic groups, and many of the individuals covered here can also be found in numerous other sources, there really is no other one-volume work that provides this kind of broad coverage.

Choice Review

Barkan makes an admirable effort to capture the breadth and depth of the US ethnic experience over the past four centuries. His book contains brief biographies of a wide range of individuals from all walks of life who have contributed to the character of the nation, including the famous and obscure, Revolutionary War heroes to present-day community activists. Barkan (California State Univ.--San Bernardino) provides a thorough introduction outlining the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Contributors consist of an impressive roster of 93 scholars representing 90 ethnic groups. Each entry has a bibliography. Although readers may quibble with some of the choices, the book is best read as a representative sample of the nation's multicultural heritage. While most names will be familiar to readers, the book's strength lies in its descriptions of the many lesser-known individuals who worked tirelessly to improve their communities and whose contributions are no less vital than those made by the nationally renowned. Recommended for lower-division undergraduates and general readers. N. Schlotzhauer University of Denver