Editorial Review

Did you realize that kindergartens did not exist until immigrants passed on that German tradition to America? Are you aware that when you decorate a Christmas tree you are engaging in a holiday tradition brought to the United States by German immigrants? Did you ever wonder what ethnic group brought over foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and frankfurters? The answer to this last question is German-Americans, and the story of these travelers to a New World is ably told in this illustrated work. In German Americans, author C. Ann Fitterer relates some of the broad experiences of the millions of people who migrated from the German states to America. Over three hundred years, millions of German speaking people came to America in search of religious freedom, economic opportunity, or political refuge. Over the years, Germans have melded into American culture in a way that has been highly influential. As the author details in this work, Germans have influenced many areas of culture and science. One of the largest immigrant groups, German-Americans continue to exert a strong influence upon many aspects of American culture. Their story is a rich one and is well represented in this introductory-level study.