Acclaimed scholar Jay P. Dolan's panoramic account traces the Irish experience in the United States from the arrival of the first immigrants, through the dark days of the Great Famine, to John F. Kennedy's election as president. Drawing on original research and recent scholarship, Dolan offers the first general history of the Irish American saga to be published since the 1960s. Rich in detail, balanced in judgment, and the most comprehensive work of its kind, this is an indispensable volume for anyone with an interest in the Irish American tradition. - Back cover.