Official Review: Transplanters on the Grasslands and Frui...
Posted: 26 Nov 2019, 09:19
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Transplanters on the Grasslands and Fruits of Chain Migration" by Brian W.Beltman.]
Brian W. Beltman’s Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is a long and detailed study about the process of migration. It focuses on Dutch immigrants who moved to America, notably in the Midwest, in the 19th century. It aims at highlighting the distinguishing features of their migration and settling in their new country. In particular, it explains how old customs, including religion and native language, existed alongside new habits. The book follows – but is not limited to – the vicissitudes of two families, the Van der Meers and the Van den Bogs. They are models to understand the way of living of the immigrants. Most importantly, the study gives prominence to the value of family and ethnic links when people chose to relocate.
Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is not my first book about immigration to America. I already had the chance to read some wonderful publications about Irish and Italian people who decided to settle there. However, this is my first book about Dutch immigrants, and I consider it a great addition to my bookshelf. It analyzes every aspect of the immigrants’ lives, beginning with their trips to America and the reasons why they left their country. Then, it highlights their ethnic and kinship bonds, social and cultural links, sense of community, and family interconnections. These are all pivotal aspects to understand the immigrants’ mentality and the process of chain migration.
Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is also about religion, political involvement, school, and agriculture. Among my favorite passages, I remember those dedicated to the immigrants’ reactions to the Civil War. They preferred to move because they believed in peace, and at the end of the war, many of them went back. Their trip is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book because of the variety of situations the Dutch immigrants had to face. For example, I especially like the remark about the respect young people should give to Native American sites.
The last chapters present two examples of Dutch immigrants. The first one is dedicated to Bloemendaal’s memoir, the second to the biographical sketch of Ulbe and Maaike Eringa. These parts provide more food for thought. For example, it is in the Eringas' story that the author highlights the influence of women in the relocation process. These are aspects that are interesting to explore.
Although I do not consider it a downside, I admit that statistics, prices, and other lists like the names of relatives are abundant. Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration includes many details, but they are essential in a study like this. The lists of relatives, for example, prove the importance of family ties to chain migration. This said, these passages are one paragraph long at times, and the reading is not as pleasant here as in other parts.
Overall, Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is a remarkable read. It is with no hesitation that I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I have found only one minor typographical error while I was reading, so I add to the other positive features that this book is well-edited. I recommend it to scholars and readers interested in migration, and more specifically, in the history of the settlement of the Dutch in America. Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is not suitable for a general reader. Although it is very clear and does not use complex language, it is not the kind of book you appreciate unless the topic is relevant to you.
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Transplanters on the Grasslands and Fruits of Chain Migration
View: on Bookshelves
Brian W. Beltman’s Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is a long and detailed study about the process of migration. It focuses on Dutch immigrants who moved to America, notably in the Midwest, in the 19th century. It aims at highlighting the distinguishing features of their migration and settling in their new country. In particular, it explains how old customs, including religion and native language, existed alongside new habits. The book follows – but is not limited to – the vicissitudes of two families, the Van der Meers and the Van den Bogs. They are models to understand the way of living of the immigrants. Most importantly, the study gives prominence to the value of family and ethnic links when people chose to relocate.
Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is not my first book about immigration to America. I already had the chance to read some wonderful publications about Irish and Italian people who decided to settle there. However, this is my first book about Dutch immigrants, and I consider it a great addition to my bookshelf. It analyzes every aspect of the immigrants’ lives, beginning with their trips to America and the reasons why they left their country. Then, it highlights their ethnic and kinship bonds, social and cultural links, sense of community, and family interconnections. These are all pivotal aspects to understand the immigrants’ mentality and the process of chain migration.
Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is also about religion, political involvement, school, and agriculture. Among my favorite passages, I remember those dedicated to the immigrants’ reactions to the Civil War. They preferred to move because they believed in peace, and at the end of the war, many of them went back. Their trip is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book because of the variety of situations the Dutch immigrants had to face. For example, I especially like the remark about the respect young people should give to Native American sites.
The last chapters present two examples of Dutch immigrants. The first one is dedicated to Bloemendaal’s memoir, the second to the biographical sketch of Ulbe and Maaike Eringa. These parts provide more food for thought. For example, it is in the Eringas' story that the author highlights the influence of women in the relocation process. These are aspects that are interesting to explore.
Although I do not consider it a downside, I admit that statistics, prices, and other lists like the names of relatives are abundant. Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration includes many details, but they are essential in a study like this. The lists of relatives, for example, prove the importance of family ties to chain migration. This said, these passages are one paragraph long at times, and the reading is not as pleasant here as in other parts.
Overall, Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is a remarkable read. It is with no hesitation that I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I have found only one minor typographical error while I was reading, so I add to the other positive features that this book is well-edited. I recommend it to scholars and readers interested in migration, and more specifically, in the history of the settlement of the Dutch in America. Transplanters on the Grasslands and the Fruits of Chain Migration is not suitable for a general reader. Although it is very clear and does not use complex language, it is not the kind of book you appreciate unless the topic is relevant to you.
******
Transplanters on the Grasslands and Fruits of Chain Migration
View: on Bookshelves