Looking for Jimmy: A Search for Irish America

In this stunning work chronicling the author's exploration of his own past—and the lives of many hundreds of thousands of nameless immigrants who struggled alongside his own ancestors—Peter Quinn paints a brilliant new portrait of the Irish-American men and women whose evolving culture and values continue to play such a central role in all of our identities as Americans. In Quinn's hands, the Irish stereotype of "Paddy" gives way to an image of "Jimmy"—an archetypal Irish-American. From Irish immigration to modern politics, Quinn vibrantly weaves together the story of a remarkable people and their immeasurable contribution to American history and culture.

Table of Contents:
Foreword 11 I. Family and Memory Looking for Jimmy 19 In Search of the Banished Children 43 The Skillins 57 The Perils of Pat 67 Stones of Memory 74 II. Politics and Place Plunkitt of Tammany Hall 87 Local Politics, Irish-American Style 101 Life of the Party 112 Civil Service 122 The Bronx is Burning 127 Cast a Cold Eye: William Kennedy's Albany 138 III. Faith and Imagination Confessions of a Bronx Irish-Catholic 155 Sic Transit 164 The Catholic Imagination 172 Holy Orders 188 City of God, City of Man 193 IV. Silence and History The Triumph of Bridget Such-a-One 211 An Interpretation of Silences 231 Closets Full of Bones 246 Lost and Found 257 A Famine Remembrance 267 Conclusion Irish America at the Millennium: How the Irish Stayed Irish 273

About the Author :
Peter Quinn is a novelist, political historian, and foremost chronicler of New York City. He is the author of Banished Children of Eve and a trilogy of historical detective novels—Hour of the Cat, The Man Who Never Returned, and Dry Bones.

Review :
A sweeping tale of disaster, survival, and triumph.-- "San Francisco Chronicle" An exceptionally thoughtful and interesting inquiry into Irish America.-- "The Washington Post" Charming... A timely reminder that controversy over immigration exists as very much part of a continuum.-- "The New York Times" The Irish American story--a 150-year saga--is a fascinating one, and Quinn tells it superbly. A charming, informative, and memorable book.-- "America Magazine" A wonderful addition to the story of the Irish in America...teem[ing] with deep, surprising insights.---Pete Hamill You don't have to be Irish or Irish-American to love this book. Whoever you are, you are in it. This is the kind of book you will want to bestow on anyone with, or without, a hyphen in their history.---Frank McCourt