A beautifully produced and illustrated book. Rubin focuses on particular individuals to show how European immigrants have found ways to be both Jewish and American. Though there are some experiences that reflect the tension between the religious and the secular world, the tone of the book is upbeat. The author does not provide a history, but uses a series of vignettes connected by a basic chronological narrative. For instance, the chapter "Jews in the American Revolution" focuses on Haym Salomon and does not discuss general Jewish attitudes toward the Revolution, or ideas about Jews that were held by members of the Revolutionary movement.

Rubin is meticulous in her use and crediting of quotations, and they contribute to the text's liveliness and immediacy. Some of the most interesting vignettes are about Jewish cowboys and pioneers. The illustrations include paintings, photographs, and maps. Artifacts from the Jewish Museum are shown and matched to the text in terms of period, but they do not always relate to or amplify the narrative. - Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Hardcover. 176 pages.