A Population History of North America

Description

Professors Haines and Steckel bring together leading scholars to present an expansive population history of North America from pre-Columbian times to the present. Covering the populations of Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, including two essays on the Amerindian population, this volume takes advantage of considerable recent progress in demographic history to offer timely, knowledgeable information in a non-technical format. A statistical appendix summarizes basic demographic measures over time for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"The growth of our knowledge of demographic history is wonderfully illustrated by both the size and the content of this book, edited by two of the leading figures in the study of the population history of North America. In more than 700 pages they and their collaborators enumerate the broad trends and many of the fine details of that history, and leave the readers with a wealth of understanding about an important topic...In addition to the valuable introduction and conclusion provided by the editors, the chapters include superb bibliographies and bibliographical essays, all of them useful, up-to-date, and brief." Myron P. Gutmann, Population and Development Review "This collection of 14 literate and thoughtfully crafted essays by specialists in demographic study drawn from anthropology, economics, and elsewhere is destined to become a standard one-volume reference." Choice "This collection of 13 chapters authoritatively informs the reader about the histories of three major populations of North America ...This volume will be useful to all scholars in providing expert guides to the demographic histories and reviews of the literature on the regions and largest racial groups of North America. The subject index is useful, as are appendices tabulating the basic demographic numbers for the several regions." Tearsheet From William & Mary Quarterly "it is an essential contribution and will be regarded as indispensable authority in its fast-evolving field." Choice April 2001 "Readers will find here a collection of excellent references." American Journl of Human Biology "...deserves a wide readership, and its insights deserve to be integrated into larger historical literatures...they have provided a fine history...which will be of use to historians in all fields for many years to come." The Journal of American History "...the editors have done an excellent job in compliling this volume. Each chapter is well organized, and the subheadings help the reader to recognize which information will be found in each section. Most importantly, the editors ensure that common themes and topics of the demographic system are strategically covered in each chapter whenever possible...the essays are lucidly argued and the demographic terminology and equations extemsively explained in the appendix, making the volume an essential reference for anyone conducting research or teaching in any area of historical demography or related fields."