The Making of an American by Jacob Riis

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Jacob Riis, a Danish-American journalist and social reformer, is best known for his groundbreaking work titled "How the Other Half Lives: Studies among the Tenements of New York." The book, which was published in 1890, is an exposé on the living conditions of the poor in New York City's tenements, and it remains a seminal work on the subject to this day. However, before Riis published his magnum opus, he wrote a memoir titled "The Making of an American." In this post, we will examine the making of "The Making of an American."

Riis's memoir is an account of his life as an immigrant in America, and it charts his rise from a penniless Danish immigrant to a successful journalist and reformer. The book was published in 1901, more than a decade after "How the Other Half Lives," and it reflects Riis's continued commitment to social reform. "The Making of an American" is also significant because it provides a rare glimpse into the life of an immigrant in America at the turn of the century.

Riis's story begins in Ribe, a small town in Denmark, where he was born in 1849. His childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, and he was forced to leave school at the age of 14 to become an apprentice carpenter. However, Riis was determined to improve his lot in life, and he taught himself English by reading newspapers and books. In 1870, at the age of 21, he decided to emigrate to America.

Riis's early years in America were characterized by poverty and struggle. He worked odd jobs and slept in squalid conditions, but he never lost his determination to succeed. In 1873, he landed a job as a police reporter for the New York Tribune, and his career as a journalist took off from there. Riis's reporting focused on the lives of the poor in New York City's slums, and his stories were often accompanied by photographs that he took himself.

"The Making of an American" is a deeply personal account of Riis's life, and it is also a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Riis's story is a reminder that the American dream is not just a myth; it is a reality that can be achieved by anyone who is willing to work hard and persevere.

"The Making of an American" is a fascinating memoir that provides insight into the life of an immigrant in America at the turn of the century. The book is a testament to Jacob Riis's determination to succeed in a new land, and it is a reminder that the American dream is still alive and well.

A copy of the book is available at Duckwells. Sign up for our newsletter to learn when inventory is updated.




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