Review by Choice Review
Hatton (Univ. of Essex) and Williamson (Harvard Univ.) have produced an admirable study of one of the largest and most important migrations in history, that of Europeans to the new world. Most of the attention is on emigration to the US due to the importance of that destination and the relative availability of data for analysis. The authors employ subtle econometric techniques to investigate questions related to the timing of emigration, the process of assimilation, and the impacts of migration on home and target country labor markets, as well as the heterogeneity of migrant populations. In some cases, the results will lead to a revaluation of our ideas about what caused migrants to leave and what awaited them in their new homes. For example, one variable Hatton and Williamson found that had a significant impact on timing and destination was the migrant stock, more important in some cases than relative or absolute wages. Their study includes consideration of the differences among emigrating groups within a multivariate approach, with conclusions that at times conflict with previous studies. This is an important contribution to the literature, and it will interest economic historians, demographers, and microeconomists. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. J. M. Nowakowski; Muskingum College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
