Looking for Jimmy: A Search for Irish America Book

I've always known the Irish had a special spirit. I felt it growing up the 3rd generation of Irish immigrants. On both sides of my family, my fathers of hard times, and my mothers a little more lace Irish, but not without down times and sorrow. It was kind of like seeing things from both sides. This book brought so many things to light for me, and answered some questions. Peter Quinn is very right when he says the "famine" was never spoken of. He goes through the sorrow, loss, devastation, diversity, to the point of almost being wiped out as a people so well you can feel it. Yet, helps you see the incredible triumph, resilience, and ability to rebuild and overcome every horror imaginable. The strength and power of the "tribal" mentality, taking care of each other, building communities out of the filth of tenement life in a strange land. The power and structure of the Catholic Church that held its people together in faith and education. Politics and Tammany Hall, "The Machine" mindset. These things took the Irish from near distinction to the building of America as we know it. American history is soaked with Irish rooting. Mr. Quinn also brings the wonder of Daniel Cassidy's "How the Irish Invented Slang." What a wonderful treasure his book is. So many of the words sounded out in my mind with remembrance of childhood. Quinn's point is well taken; "As always, the past belongs to the living. It is ours to understand or to ignore." I choose to understand and pass along the importance of my heritage so it won't fall far from the conscious of my generations to come.