The Making of an American

By Jacob A Ruis

"The Making of an American" is the compelling autobiography of Jacob A. Riis, one of the most influential social reformers and journalists in United States history. In this deeply personal narrative, Riis recounts his journey from Denmark to New York City, capturing the hardships and triumphs of the immigrant experience in the late 19th century.

Through his vivid storytelling, the work explores the transformation of an outsider into a dedicated advocate for the urban poor. Riis provides a firsthand look at the squalid conditions of New York's tenement life and the systemic challenges faced by the working class. His accounts of investigative journalism and his passion for civic improvement highlight a pivotal era of American social reform.

As a foundational text of the Progressive Era, "The Making of an American" is not only a story of individual resilience but also a powerful call for social justice and civic responsibility. It remains an essential read for those interested in the history of immigration, urban development, and the enduring quest for the American Dream.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025820002
• ISBN13: 9781025820002
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 482 Pages
• Weight: 1.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 1.1" x 6.1"