Encyclopedia of American Immigration

At a time when immigration policy and policy reform are coming to the forefront, this three-volume reference intended for students and general readers offers quite comprehensive coverage of the subject in straightforward entries ranging in length from about 1,000 words to several thousand. Approximately half the pages--one-third of the 533 entries--offer overviews of such issues as AIDS, affirmative action, and world migration patterns, and of art, music, food customs, films, and literature. Other articles address specific ethnic and national groups, historical events and eras, regional differences and history in each of the 50 states, US immigration policy, and significant individuals. Each article begins with top matter that summarizes who, what, where, and significance; and each ends with at least a couple suggestions for further reading. Arrangement is alphabetical. The third volume contains appendixes offering a biographical directory of notable immigrants, US Supreme Court rulings on immigration, federal government agencies and commissions, federal laws, a filmography, a bibliography of general works on immigration, a glossary, and a timeline. Indexing is by category of article, court case, laws and treaties, personage, and subject. Purchase of the print edition includes access to the online version until the end of 2011. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)