Summary Of Long Way Home By David Laskin

United States is always viewed as nation of immigrants. Some of the greatest wave of immigrants entered United states was around late 19 C.E. And early 20 C.E. Most of these immigrants were from Europe and came here because of chaos in Europe. These immigrants later fought in world war one , as Americans. 2.5 million people fought in united states army, and among those, half million were immigrants. In the book , “ Long Way Home : An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War”, by David Laskin, stories of twelve immigrants, who came from different countries of Europe, has been told. Laskin discussed their early childhood, nations they came from, their journey to Ellis Island, opportunities of job they got here and then their return …show more content…
Some of the main reasons for which immigrants came to America was in search of freedom and opportunity. They were here so they can earn money and send that back to their home country and help their family member. Laskin explained this by saying, “ among the various arguments for going to America, the strongest argument for coming to America was the poverty among the common people where we lived and also the hopelessness of ever amounting to anything” (Laskin, 49). This means that they were not happy there, and America can be the place for them which can change their life and so they waited to come …show more content…
But, expectations and reality are not same, reality tricks us and so as tricked them. As soon as these immigrants entered in states, they began to realize the problems and difficulties they will be facing in this country. First and foremost reality was that, as soon they entered, they lost their identity, “ reduction of their humanity, to a number, a code”(Laskin,52). Now they were recognized by a number on their landing tickets. They were then examined by a doctor, to make sure they don 't have any diseases bringing with them. If found any disease, then the immigrant will be detained and sent back to , where they were from. After that, they were questioned like how much money they had, what relative they will be heading to and what kind of job they will be working. Then they were given their stamped papers. After arriving, they got jobs, which were not paying them enough what they have expected of and thing goes against their expectation. Eppifano Affatato, whom was born in Italy, came to America, in search of gold, as he heard about that “ in America- streets were paved in gold “(Laskin, 77). But he didn 't any gold, all he was earning was pennies a day. Most of immigrants did manual labor which didn 't paid them much at all. Immigrants also worked in coal mines, as night watchman , laborer and worked 60 hours per week. Thy were viewed as outsiders