The Immigrant Tide, Its Ebb and Flow

"The Immigrant Tide, Its Ebb and Flow" by Edward Alfred Steiner is a historical exploration of European immigration to America in the early 20th century. The book seeks to illuminate the immigrant experience and its broad effects by prioritizing personal stories and observations. Steiner introduces his study with a voyage on an Italian steamer, sharing anecdotes of people in the lowest class of the ship who reveal their dreams, hardships, and the reasons for their return journeys. He paints a picture of their lives, contrasting their experiences with those of wealthy passengers, which highlights the hardships faced by immigrants in America. He also shows the strong cultural connections they keep with their home countries, offering a foundation for a broader study of these subjects.