FireFly

Introduction The Dawn of Humankind

• The Nomadic Ape
• Homo sapiens on the March

The Ancient World

• The Common Tongue
• Let My People Go
• The People of Many Islands
• The Greek Phenomenon
• Rome and Its Empire

The Medieval World

• Descent of the Barbarians
• The Word of the Prophet
• The Men of the North
• Conquerors of the World

The Expanding World

• In Search of El Dorado
• The Middle Passage
• A New England
• Rogues, Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggars

The Industrial World

• Farm and Factory
• Empire Builders
• Searching for Freedom Lands
• Our Manifest Destiny

The New World

• Huddled Masses Yearning to Be Free
• Farewell, Dear Erin, Fare Thee Well...
• No Tsar in America
• All the Little Italys
• Sojourners on the Golden Mountain

The Modern World

• The Gulag Nation
• A Land of Milk and Honey
• Incompatible Gods
• World in Flux

Chronology
Index and Acknowledgements

Introduction

The standard dictionary definition of human migration, which usually runs along the lines of "the movement of people from one place or country to settle in another," suggests little of the depth of meaning or the scale of the phenomenon, both in the contemporary world and throughout history. The current preoccupation with controlling immigration in the so-called developed world tends to overlook the fundamental benefits that migration has brought to many places through the ages, contributing to both the economic development and the special character of many cities and even entire countries. This book tells this epic story of civilizations and their movement -- of ideas and cultures that travel, and of people leaving home in search of a different and better way of life. Like all good books that seek to inform and educate, it brilliantly illuminates the "grand narrative" -- of the constant thread of migration running through the weave of human history -- using the fascinating detail of local case studies carefully selected from around the world.

 

This atlas does a good job of showing how, where and why people over the centuries leave their places of birth for new lands.... [It] is a well-written and well-documented chronicle of how our globalized world has come to be.
- Christina Leadley  Embassy  2008 01 16

Trim but fact-filled... Pertinent, subject-relevant quotes; rare period photographs; and highly detailed, full-color migratory maps make this an edifying read.... Highly recommended for cultural studies and public library collections.
- Savannah Schroll  Library Journal  2008 01

Through compelling stories, maps andinformative timelines, this book explains how today's population of over 6 billion people have spread all over the world. Written in easy-to-understand language.
-   Canadian Geographic  2007 10 18

[The book] succeeds in placing numerous events into context, succinctly explaining how actions resulted in reactions.
- Ted Hainworth  The Star Phoenix (Saskatoon)  2008 03 01

Russell King has done a superb job as chief editor... The Atlas is at once very broad and very specific.... This valuable book is a source of big ideas and grand theories as lived by individuals just like us.
- Linda Turk  The Chronicle-Journal  2008 03 30

The authors' summaries of the research and explanations of what is known about the events influencing the movement of each group of people are well written and interesting. The photos and their captions enhance the text and serve to draw ina browser.... This book serves as an excellent introduction to the history of human migration.
- Elaine Lindstrom  Booklist  2008 03 15

This atlas presents a nice combination of insightful text, explaining both large-scale and localized migrations, and full-color maps illustrating the routes taken from one place to another....Most North American geneaologists will find the chapters that are most pertinent to their research in the pages covering the colonization of the New World, the capture and movement of slaves to and within the Western hemisphere, and the mass migrations to the United States during the late nineteenth century....Geneaologist will especially appreciate the sections delving into individual ethnic and religious groups coming to the United States.
- Seth J. Booley  The New York Geneaological and Biographical Record vol. 139 no. 2  2008 04

This work offers a historical and current look at human migration in East Africa and points beyond... Maps, photographs, charts, and other illustrations in color... Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students; general readers
- J. C. Phillips, University of Toledo  Choice  2008 05 01

Rarely is an entire volume devoted to migration available, and seldom of this quality. Atas of Human Migration is an excellent reference resource... beautifully illustrated ... Concise yet useful text descriptions... Entries are well written, and accessible for anyone with a middle or high school level of education. Its low price puts this resource within the reach of most libraries.... Especially recommended for high school media centers, public libraries, and academic libraries supporting undergraduate student.s
- Mark T. Bay  American Reference Books Annual 2008  2008

The illustrations are lovely, reminding the reader of the unity within the diversity of the human race.
-   BookNews  2009 12 01