From America to Norway

The third volume of From American to Norway is the final book of collected letters written by Norwegian–American immigrants from the years 1893 to 1914. During this time many Norwegians had left their homeland, traveled to America, and settled in the Midwest. The intended audience for letters home gradually transitioned from the expectation that letters were to be shared and published in local Norwegian communities to their recognition as a private form of communication.

The challenges and opportunities that immigrants faced are described in these letters. The funny, sad, poignant, and inspirational experiences of the settlers are related from an intensely personal point of view. 

Orm Øverland is Professor Emeritus of American Studies at the University of Bergen in Norway. Among his books are The Western Home: A Literary History of Norwegian America and Immigrant Minds, American Identities: Making the United States Home, 1870-1930.