The Promise of America
A History of the Norwegian-American People
Odd S. Lovoll
In The Promise of America, historian Odd S. Lovoll tells the story of the thousands of Norwegian immigrants who gambled on a fresh start in the United States. Now, Lovoll has carefully revised this successful book to reflect new understandings of the Norwegian-American past, updating this story to today.
A magnificent volume telling the story of the immigration years (1825-1925) and has some fascinating pictures.
The Bemidji Pioneer
In The Promise of America, historian Odd S. Lovoll tells the story of the thousands of Norwegian immigrants who gambled on a fresh start in the United States. Now, Lovoll has carefully revised this successful book to reflect new understandings of the Norwegian-American past, updating this story to today. Changes for this edition include additional photographs, expanded treatment of the causes of migration, extensive details about the urban Norwegian-American experience, new information about immigrant fiction and reading societies, enriched discussions of Norwegians in the Civil War and the Socialist movement, and more.
$24.95 paper ISBN 978-0-8166-3350-0
396 pages, 12 b&w photos, 227 b&w plates, 8 X 9, 1999
Odd S. Lovoll immigrated to the United States from Norway in 1946 and was educated at Norwegian and U.S. universities. He is the King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian American studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He edits the publications of the Norwegian American Historical Association and is the author of The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today.
A magnificent volume telling the story of the immigration years (1825-1925) and has some fascinating pictures.
The Bemidji Pioneer
This is the story of a dream of freedom and progress-which was realized for many but not without hard work. Odd S. Lovoll deserves gratitude for his magnificent work.
Aftenposten (Oslo)
Lovoll has produced an excellent book. Publishers’ notices frequently assert that particular volumes possess the virtue of appealing to both a ‘learned’ and ‘popular’ audience. In this case, such a claim is fully justified.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
The several hundred black-and-white photographs are a moving record of the Norwegian immigrant experience.
Newsday
Rarely in the literature of American history have words and pictures been so responsibly and harmoniously joined.
Minnesota History
Clearly the best study that has been done on Norwegians in America in a single volume.
Choice
It is a joy to read this book and to look at the photos. Buy it!
North Dakota History
Contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION: NORWAY AND EUROPE
1. THE EMIGRATION
2. A NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN SOCIETY COMES INTO BEING
3. AN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY DEVELOPS
4. THE IMMENSE LAND
5. THE SPIRIT AND THE MIND
6. THE PRESS AND PUBLIC LIFE
7. CULTURAL GROWTH
8. NEW CONQUESTS —COUNTRY AND TOWN
9. NORWEGIAN AMERICA
10. THE PROMISE FULFILLED
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX