This book is an enduring and entertaining collection of biographies of the many first-generation immigrant Americans who made major contributions that were crucial for building America, its military, judicial, financial and political systems; sustaining the country’s economy and prosperity. Readers are introduced to over 200 iconic immigrants, of whom about half are discussed comprehensively.

These biographies span from the earliest First World cultures, to the Paleo-Indians, early European settlers of the New World, Revolutionary War heroes, founding fathers, framers of the Constitution, forced immigrants of the slave trade, Civil War gallants and heroines, to financers and justices of the US Supreme Court. Also it details the journey of that most famous lady, the French immigrant who stands tall on Liberty Island. The book seamlessly combines biographies, storytelling, and American history, besides including thorough information about American immigration laws.

The stories showcase the achievements and successes of the immigrant founders of the nation, and the historical information demonstrates the circumstances and times they lived in. The biographies are inspiring and informative, but most importantly the book is a social commentary with a powerful message about the historical importance of immigrants’ achievements and their integration within the fabric of American society. It provides an understanding of immigrants’ ideas and ideals in securing their adopted nation’s intellectual institutions and their labor and effort in building early America’s infrastructure.

The book is edifying and entertaining but most importantly it is captivating and timely. It is singular in its genre and germane to adult readers of all ages. It brings into focus groups and individuals who were first generation immigrants with their mini biographies and profiles. Some are notable while others not acknowledged by scholars. Some came as children, others as adults but all made contributions to the Revolutionary war, framing the Constitution, helping the Union to win the Civil War, and establishing and safeguarding the judicial and financial systems of early America.

The book begins by describing the earliest migrations from Asia to the Americas. It encompasses information about the Natives who were the original owners of the land and the brutality they suffered and endured by some explorers, settles and government officials. It chronicles the forced immigration of the Africans and the Atlantic slave trade and delves into the cruelty of enslavement. It explores the ethnic immigrations and naturalization laws. It notes the significance of women’s suffrage and details the story of the famous French Immigrant Lady who stands tall on Liberty Island. Lastly it portrays the wrath of wars that early Americans faced with courage, fortitude, and forgiveness.

This books sheds light on many of the Immigrant Americans men and women who are not duly recognized by academics and historians for their contributions, influence and heroic endeavors that founded and fostered our early nation. It reveals the beneficence of America’s early policy of inclusivity.

During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars there were several immigrant heroines who helped winning the country’s independence and later saving the union by their daring deeds whether in public demonstrations, working as nurses or spies, providing food and drink to soldiers, fighting in battles as disguised men, rallying the troops or by their writings.

Many immigrant founders of the nation came to the United States to serve and sacrifice themselves and many gave the gift of life in wars for the love of their new country. Unfortunately, many of them were lost to history; nevertheless this book portrays the profiles of some of them to keep their memory alive in our collective consciousness.