The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn from Newcomers to America about Health, Happiness and Hope

by Claudia Kolker

Overview

"Journalist Kolker investigates the imported traditions and attitudes toward health, hard work, and education that give newcomers an edge over the native-born…Kolker’s explorations teach and entertain with their curiosity, can-do spirit, and vibrant bouquet of cultures and customs” (Publishers Weekly).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416586838
Publisher:	Free Press
Publication date:	09/21/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	843,981
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Claudia Kolker is an award-winning journalist who has reported from Mexico, El Salvador, the Caribbean, Japan and India. A former Los Angeles Times bureau chief and former member of The Houston Chronicle editorial board, she has also written for The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Economist, O: The Oprah Magazine, Slate, and Salon. She lives in Houston with her family.

Editorial Reviews

Journalist Kolker investigates the imported traditions and attitudes toward health, hard work, and education that give newcomers an edge over the native-born. In a yearlong experiment, Kolker finds that the Vietnamese money club’s enforcement of savings through friendly peer pressure also works for her group of Texan friends, helping them save for taxes and vacations. She discovers how hanging out on the stoop or the corner in barrios fosters social bonds that might explain why some of the poorest immigrant communities have some of the best health outcomes—the so-called “immigrant paradox” researchers have puzzled over for decades. She test-drives a version of the Mexican cuarantena—a period of postchildbirth rest and companionship that may protect against postpartum depression—and she implements the demanding Korean approach to studying to help her daughter learn math. Other topics explored include Vietnamese monthly rice services that help students and working mothers get dinner on the table; Jamaican multigenerational living and its benefits for home ownership; and the South Asian assisted marriage, with its blend of old-school parental oversight and modern freedom of choice. Kolker’s explorations teach and entertain with their curiosity, can-do spirit, and vibrant bouquet of cultures and customs. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Named one of O Magazine’s 10 Titles to Pick Up Now

From the Publisher

A wonderful positive portrayal of immigrant customs and contributions much needed and much welcome at a time of so much confusion about the foreign-born who live among us.

Kyriakos S. Markides

Such a smart and thrilling ride. I had no idea I was surrounded by daily exotic adventures until I opened The Immigrant Advantage. Now that I've read it, I can't wait to live it.

author of The New York Times bestseller Born to Ru Christopher McDougall

Live like an immigrant...How rare to find an intelligent, engrossing book that doubles as a dispensary! The Immigrant Advantage is chock-full of novel, useful prescriptions for a happy, healthy life.

Daphne Miller

What a fabulous, fun, eye-opening read: Colorful writing with a flair is not incompatible with deep insight and wisdom!

Amy Chua

“Such a smart and thrilling ride. I had no idea I was surrounded by daily exotic adventures until I openedThe Immigrant Advantage. Now that I've read it, I can't wait to live it.

author ofTheNew York TimesbestsellerBorn to Run Christopher McDougall