Book Review
Norway To America: A History of the
Migration by Ingrid Semmingsen
Historically documented, factually researched, and
superbly edited, this book is a stand alone testimonial to America’s
ethnic foundations. It is a memorable link to all emigrants that is
hard to put down and tough to see finished.
An excerpt:
The old country honored its countrymen
who had emigrated by sending representatives of the cabinet, the
parliament, the church, the university and the colleges, and a number
of organizations — from the Authors’ Society to the League of
Farm Youth. Each brought greetings and homage. The high point in the
festivities was reached on the day when Calvin Coolidge, president of
the United States, appeared at the fairgrounds. He spoke to 80,000
listeners, and a new invention known as a loudspeaker carried his
voice to all. He had handsome words for the work of Norwegians in
America, emphasizing that they had been good citizens, loyal to their
new country in peace and war, and he did not fail to make the
connection with Leif Ericson and the discovery of Vinland.
These
were days when it felt good to be a Norwegian-American. The pioneers
of 1840 were long since gone, but some of the younger people from the
wave of the 1860s and many of the later pioneers sat on the platform
and listened. They might let their thoughts wander back in time and
nod: Yes, it was true. They had worked hard. They had contributed
something to the building of this country. They had seen vast changes
since the time they tramped westward with a pair of oxen hitched to a
covered wagon in the burning sun of the prairie looking for a piece
of land they could till.
