Immokalee's Fields of Hope

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: "Immokalee's Fields of Hope" puts a human face to the plight of immigrant field workers. It is deserving of being read by anyone interested in the inner-workings of America's immigration policies. But it's not just a political book. There is
considerable background and history included in the text, as well. The author is passionate about the subhect and the entire manuscript has been well thought out and skillfully executed.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful journey
Review: > It was more than just a book about immigration. We are receiving life lessons; lessons against bigotry, lessons for charity, and in sociology.
>
> Of course it touches on necessary ways we have to look at our fellow man's struggles to have a better life. We need to be willing to take a closer look at the illegal immigrant, and be willing to welcome these people that want to work in a country we take for granted. We need to learn acceptance of those that are different from us--financially, culturally--in many ways.
>
> The author is shaking us into the reality of how good we've got it in the United States. And that it's essential to be willing to share what we are blessed with here. We take a lot for granted in this exceptional, abundant country of ours, and we need to look at what we've got and give back--whether it's our time or our money--to the people that need our help. It's not necessarily charity--it's our obligation as human beings.
>
> I feel Carlene Thissen's book touches us in many ways, individually and as a country. We need to wake up. We need to be grateful for what we've got and we need to be willing to be more loving rather than judgmental, of our fellow human beings struggling to just have a decent life.
> As a layperson, I truly enjoyed Immokalee's Fields of Hope. It was interesting and thoughtful. I would not only recommend it to friends, but to teachers in schools. I believe this could be a very good tool for social studies.

Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It is rare to find a book that educates and enlightens at the same time as it entertains and touches the soul. It's not a history book, but you will learn the histories of several peoples and places. It's not a book about racism, but you will be saddened by the stories of how our society has treated immigrants and people of color. People who only want to make a better life for themselves and their families. At the same time you see hope for our society in the town of Immokalee and how it has embraced all of the histories and cultures make up it's people.

The book is written in a very warm, friendly and personal style that is instantly engaging and touchingly honest. As I read this book, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to hear more about the children at Guadalupe Family Center, and the church in Immokalee that says Mass in three languages. I wanted to understand the circumstances that drive people in Mexico, Haiti and Guatemala to risk everything to get to the United States, to try to live the life that I take for granted everyday. I wanted to hear all of the stories of these people.

I also enjoyed the author's history and perspective weaved into the fabric of the book. I found I could relate to the author's struggle to find meaning her life - to know that someone slept easier at night because she exists.

Sometimes, in my anticipation I would just open the book to the middle and begin reading ahead - and I would find myself torn - I didn't want to stop, but I also didn't want to miss anything I had skipped past. And whenever I had to put the book down, I felt as if I were reluctantly ending a very enjoyable conversation with a good friend.

If you want to learn more about Mexican, Guatemalan and Haitian cultures, if you want to understand where they came from and if you want to read something that will gently challenge you to examine your own life, you will enjoy this book.