Becoming Old Stock: The Paradox of German-American Identity

Becoming Old Stock is a groundbreaking exploration of the complex and fascinating history of German Americans.

This book sheds light on how German Philadelphians reinvented themselves in the early 20th century, especially after World War I brought a nationwide anti-German backlash.

Through quantitative methods, oral history, and cultural analysis of written sources, the author examines how middle-class and Lutheran residents redefined themselves as "American" in opposition to southeastern European "new immigrants." The book also explores the experiences of working-class and Catholic Germans, who came to share a common identity with other European immigrants, but not with newly arrived black Southerners.

Becoming Old Stock offers a fresh perspective on the phenomenon of ethnic assimilation and its complex relationship to American pluralism, making it an important contribution to the growing literature on racial identity among European Americans.

Whether you're a history buff, cultural critic, or simply someone interested in learning more about the rich tapestry of America's past, this book is sure to captivate and inform.

So why wait? Order your copy of Becoming Old Stock today!