The South Asian Americans - (New Americans) by Karen Leonard (Hardcover)

About the Book

Immigrants from South Asian countries are among the fastest growing segment of our population. This work, designed for students and interested readers, provides the first in-depth examination of recent South Asian immigrant groups--their history and background, current facts, comparative cultures, and contributions to contemporary American life. Groups discussed include Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Nepalis, and Afghans. The topics covered include patterns of immigration, adaption to American life and work, cultural traditions, religious traditions, women's roles, the family, adolescence, and dating and marriage. Controversial questions are examined: Does the American political economy welcome or exploit South Asian immigrants? Are American and South Asian values compatible? Leonard shows how the American social, religious, and cultural landscape looks to these immigrants and the contributions they make to it, and she outlines the experiences and views of the various South Asian groups. Statistics and tables provide information on migration, population, income, and employment. Biographical profiles of noted South Asian Americans, a glossary of terms, and selected maps and photos complete the text.

The opening chapter introduces the reader to South Asian history, culture, and politics, material on which the rest of the book draws because of its continuing relevance to South Asians settled in the United States. Leonard provides a fascinating look at the early South Asian immigrant Punjabi Mexican American community whose second and third generations are grappling with the issue of being Mexican, Hindu, and American. A comparative examination of immigrant groups from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan illuminates the similarities and differences of their rich cultural and religious traditions, the social fabric of their communities, and how these immigrants have adapted to American life. Leonard looks closely at the diversity of cultural traditions--music, dance, poetry, foods, fashion, yoga, fine arts, entertainment, and literature--and how these traditions have changed in the United States. Keeping the family together is important to these immigrants. Leonard examines family issues, second generation identities, adolescence, making marriages, and wedding traditions. This work provides a wealth of information for students and interested readers to help them understand South Asian immigrant life, culture, and contributions to American life.

Book Synopsis

Immigrants from South Asian countries are among the fastest growing segment of our population. This work, designed for students and interested readers, provides the first in-depth examination of recent South Asian immigrant groups--their history and background, current facts, comparative cultures, and contributions to contemporary American life. Groups discussed include Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Nepalis, and Afghans. The topics covered include patterns of immigration, adaption to American life and work, cultural traditions, religious traditions, women's roles, the family, adolescence, and dating and marriage. Controversial questions are examined: Does the American political economy welcome or exploit South Asian immigrants? Are American and South Asian values compatible? Leonard shows how the American social, religious, and cultural landscape looks to these immigrants and the contributions they make to it, and she outlines the experiences and views of the various South Asian groups. Statistics and tables provide information on migration, population, income, and employment. Biographical profiles of noted South Asian Americans, a glossary of terms, and selected maps and photos complete the text.

The opening chapter introduces the reader to South Asian history, culture, and politics, material on which the rest of the book draws because of its continuing relevance to South Asians settled in the United States. Leonard provides a fascinating look at the early South Asian immigrant Punjabi Mexican American community whose second and third generations are grappling with the issue of being Mexican, Hindu, and American. A comparative examination of immigrant groups from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan illuminates the similarities and differences of their rich cultural and religious traditions, the social fabric of their communities, and how these immigrants have adapted to American life. Leonard looks closely at the diversity of cultural traditions--music, dance, poetry, foods, fashion, yoga, fine arts, entertainment, and literature--and how these traditions have changed in the United States. Keeping the family together is important to these immigrants. Leonard examines family issues, second generation identities, adolescence, making marriages, and wedding traditions. This work provides a wealth of information for students and interested readers to help them understand South Asian immigrant life, culture, and contributions to American life.

Review Quotes

"Leonard shows herself to be skillful and unpretenious writer. She begins with a masterful summary of five thousand years of "South Asian Civilizations.,.".[S]he moves effectively among the various subgroups, drawing insightfully from her own fieldwork, primary source materials, and the scholarship of others. One of Leonard's strengths is her refreshing honesty and willingness to interject her own opinions into the text, even when this involves taking issue with other academic narratives or South American self-representations."-Pacific Affairs

?A significant contribution to the burgeoning field of Asian American studies....The book has excellent references and ample, well-chosen suggestions for further reading, guiding readers to major authors and debates in the literature. Photographs add pictorial detail to the narrative. The book also has a good glossary. Among the numerous volumes coming out these days on the South Asian diaspora, this book stands out for being both theoretically informed and written in clear, jargon-free prose. It will be accessible to a wide audience of readers with diverse backgrounds and interests.?-Education about Asia

?In addition to its intrinsic value as a historical document, the book will be of immense interst to Sri Lankans curious about how they are viewed as a community....?-Sri Lanka Express

?Leonard shows herself to be skillful and unpretenious writer. She begins with a masterful summary of five thousand years of "South Asian Civilizations.,.".[S]he moves effectively among the various subgroups, drawing insightfully from her own fieldwork, primary source materials, and the scholarship of others. One of Leonard's strengths is her refreshing honesty and willingness to interject her own opinions into the text, even when this involves taking issue with other academic narratives or South American self-representations.?-Pacific Affairs

?Leonard's fine essay is a must for every class on American Diversity....What emerges ultimately is a useful portrait....The author's knowledge of the immigrant's experience she is portraying is unquestionable.?-Journal of American Ethnic History

?The depth of the information will challenge students to make comparisons and discuss the impact of South Asian immigrants on American culture. ...Recommended.?-The Book Report

?This comprehensive and well-organized volume contains an impressive amount of documented data on the economic, political, and cultural impact that new arrivals continue to make upon the ethnically diverse American landscape. ....Leonard's interesting and well-written book is concerned with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.?-VOYA

"In addition to its intrinsic value as a historical document, the book will be of immense interst to Sri Lankans curious about how they are viewed as a community...."-Sri Lanka Express

"Leonard's fine essay is a must for every class on American Diversity....What emerges ultimately is a useful portrait....The author's knowledge of the immigrant's experience she is portraying is unquestionable."-Journal of American Ethnic History

"The depth of the information will challenge students to make comparisons and discuss the impact of South Asian immigrants on American culture. ...Recommended."-The Book Report

"This comprehensive and well-organized volume contains an impressive amount of documented data on the economic, political, and cultural impact that new arrivals continue to make upon the ethnically diverse American landscape. ....Leonard's interesting and well-written book is concerned with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan."-VOYA

"A significant contribution to the burgeoning field of Asian American studies....The book has excellent references and ample, well-chosen suggestions for further reading, guiding readers to major authors and debates in the literature. Photographs add pictorial detail to the narrative. The book also has a good glossary. Among the numerous volumes coming out these days on the South Asian diaspora, this book stands out for being both theoretically informed and written in clear, jargon-free prose. It will be accessible to a wide audience of readers with diverse backgrounds and interests."-Education about Asia

About the Author

KAREN ISAKSEN LEONARD is Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine, where she specializes in South Asian and Asian American history and culture. She is the author of Making Ethnic Choices: California's Punjabi Mexican Americans (1992) and Social History of an Indian Caste: The Kayasths of Hyderabad (1978).