The Long Way Home: An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War
David Laskin
2010, 386 pages
Setting: Europe and America, 1899 to 1920
David Laskin gives us the story of 12 male immigrants (from Poland/the Pale of Russia, Italy, Norway, Slovakia and Ireland) who arrived in the United States at the turn of the last century. He recounts what conditions were like in their home countries and why they chose to emigrate. He found a journalist’s record of his trip on the same immigrant ship that one of the 12 sailed on, so Laskin is able to give a fairly accurate account of what the conditions were like. He then follows these men to their final destinations and recounts what life was like for the new immigrant trying to make a living in a foreign land.
The Great War began in 1914, but it wasn’t until April 6, 1917, that the United States entered the war. On June 5, 1917, all men between the ages of 21 and 30 were required to register for the draft whether they were citizens or aliens. They faced arrest if they did not register.
During that summer all of the 12 were either drafted or enlisted to fight for the United States on their home continent. Laskin follows them through training camp to their war-time experiences using the many reports of the unit historians. On May 9, 1918, Congress passed an amendment that essentially allowed alien soldiers serving in the war to become citizens immediately. These men entered the army as aliens and returned as Americans.
The author tells us what happened to the men who survived the war as well what happened to the bodies of the three who died in battle. He was even able to interview one survivor in 2006 when he was 110 years old!
This is a moving story of the great patriotism shown by our many immigrants who fought in the Great War. This book is well-written and inspiring for anyone whose ancestors arrived during this time period, even if they did not serve in the Great War.
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