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Finding American: Stories of Immigration from All 50 States Hardcover – Oct. 17 2023

5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

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A captivating photographic portrait of the diverse experiences of immigrants in the United States, depicting the resilience and realities of building a home in a new place.

Disturbed by the increasingly hostile views of immigrants that arose in the United States during the 2016 presidential election, photographer Colin Boyd Shafer set out on a road trip to meet hundreds of families and individuals with roots abroad who now live in America. The result, after a year of travel covering fifty thousand miles, is this collection of striking photos and moving stories that form a portrait of the nation's complex and shifting relationship to immigration. Some of the participants chose to make America home; others were displaced by crises. Some were warmly welcomed and granted citizenship; others battled the immigration system for years and still live with fear and uncertainty. Their circumstances and origins vary, but all are united by a willingness to share their stories - of harrowing journeys, intense love, separated families, passionate activism - in hopes of adding nuance and depth to a vital issue that continues to polarize Americans.

From the Publisher

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Review

"Beautifully reveals the intricate tapestry of humanity with remarkable sensitivity, poise, and creativity. Colin has skilfully offered us a window into our own stories. A true masterpiece."
- Deepak Ramola, Founder & Artistic Director of Project FUEL and author of 50 Toughest Questions of Life

"This is beautiful work that really forces us to think about what it means to be American - and, indeed, human. Rich, layered, and poignant, it is a reminder that there is more that connects us than divides us."
- Heaven Crawley, Head of Equitable Development and Migration at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research

"Through Colin's lens and the participants' stories we see the realities of immigrant life in America: sometimes beautiful, sometimes harrowing, always human."
- Barbara Davidson, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and Guggenheim Fellow

"At a time where anti-immigrant sentiment is painfully high around the world, when we are aching for bridges, not borders, this book offers us necessary hope through storytelling and human connection. Timely, provocative, and compassionate, Finding American should be in every home, to be combed through carefully and thoroughly."
- Ruchika Tulshyan, author of Inclusion on Purpose and The Diversity Advantage

"The beautiful photographs and moving stories provide a powerful antidote to anti-immigrant racism in the United States. Highly recommend!"
- Reece Jones, author of White Borders and Nobody is Protected

"
Finding American is an exploration into the complex, at times violent, history of the United States of America and the people who make and remake it with every generation. Rather than some essentialised list of characteristics, this generational process of mixing and renewal is what America and being American is. America is the only place where these particular stories of immigration, hope, despair and renewal so vividly and movingly captured in this collection can unfold. It is this process that produces something new and never fixed, uniquely American."
- Nando Sigona, professor of International Migration and Forced Displacement, University of Birmingham, UK

"
Finding American is a book about the polyphonic narrative of the United States, but it is also a book about our whole glorious, hybrid, complicated, heartbreaking, heartlifting world. It is a loving documentation of humanity's most precious resource: our stories. It is a timely reminder to stop, see each other, and listen, because there is no single story."
- Preeta Samarasan, author of Evening Is the Whole Day

"It's no simple feat to travel across the entire American map, but perhaps Colin's most significant achievement is connecting deeply - through photography - with his truly global cast of subjects."
- Rory Doyle, documentary photographer and winner of the Zeiss Photography Award and Smithsonian Photo Award

"Shafer allows our newest citizens to share their stories using their own words, and his camera. The book feels like a collaboration between everyone involved, not unlike the nation that we all call home."
- Kenneth Jarecke, photojournalist, author, and founding member of Contact Press Images

"When I met with Colin and his wife in the Rio Grande Valley, I immediately saw the heart he was putting into this project. We talked for a while; his sincere interest, curiosity, and respect allowed me to open up about my life, what it is to be an immigrant in this country, about the many things I missed, including my grandfather, who had recently passed away. He was interested in the experience, the common thread that unites us all. I feel humbled to be part of this encompassing project, and I can't wait to read the stories that will be forever kept in this piece of history."
- Rossy Evelin Lima DePadilla, assistant professor of translation, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi; founder, Jade Publishing; board president and executive director of Latino Book Review

"Individual stories are often lost in ever-sharpening political narratives around human movement. Colin Boyd Shafer's critical, sensitive, and nuanced look at the various reasons why people make the journeys they do forces us to consider the people at the center of these complicated stories."
- Petra Molnar, Associate Director, Refugee Law Lab, York University; author of Artificial Borders: AI, Surveillance, and Border Tech Experiments

"
Finding American is a powerful reminder of the struggle in pursuing the American ideal. Immigrants are respectfully photographed, their stories told with sensitivity and insight. Page after page will somehow strike a deep chord in all of us as fellow human beings - immigrants or otherwise."
- Richard Beaven, photographer and author of All of Us: Portraits of an American Bicentennial

"In
Finding American, Colin Boyd Shafer pays tribute to those who, from the beginning, have made America great: hard-working immigrants who chose this land as their home, and have devoted the fruit of their lives' efforts to it. Beyond faceless numbers there are people who deserve to be seen, heard, and respected. In their dreams, there is hope; in their work, pride; in their smile, the future. And every page in this book gives us a taste of how bright that future can be if we open our arms to this spectacular diversity of colors and accents."
- Martha Batiz, author of No Stars in the Sky


"The book is absolutely incredible and beautiful . . . In a world where 30 second clips rule and we are rewarded for our ability to be quick and concise, this book is a reminder of how much art can encompass when we make the time and take the time."

- Lucie Pohl , Immigrant Jam Podcast


Book Description

Figure 1 Publishing

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Figure 1 Publishing (Oct. 17 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1773272217
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1773272214
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.95 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 27.94 x 3 x 24.13 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

About the author

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Colin Boyd Shafer
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Colin Boyd Shafer is an award-winning Canadian documentary photographer, social sciences educator, and the son of immigrants, with family roots in the United States. His recent photography projects include INTERLOVE, which tells interfaith love stories in Ontario; Cosmopolis Toronto, featuring someone from every country of the world who now calls Toronto home, which he presented at TEDxToronto and at the United Nations Alliance of Civilization's Global Forum; and They Desire A Better Country, a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Order of Canada, for which he was chosen by the Governor General of Canada to make portraits of the featured recipients. His work has also featured in numerous print and TV outlets, including National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Globe and Mail, CNN, BBC News, and CBC's The National. He holds two bachelor degrees as well as an MSc in Political Economy of Violence Conflict and Development from SOAS, University of London. He lives in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
47 global ratings

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Beautiful photos, touching stories
5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful photos, touching stories
Colin Boyd Shafer is a phenomenal photographer and talented storyteller. He gives readers a glimpse into the everyday lives of immigrants to America, from all 50 states. People from all over the world come to the USA to chase the American Dream ... in his book you'll see gorgeous portraits of people from across the planet, who made it to America.
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Top reviews from Canada

  • Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2024
    This is a wonderful book. The stories are compelling and the photographs that accompany them are never formulaic, but honest and touching. Colin Boyd Shafer has put in a lot of work -- and miles! -- to highlight for his readers the many struggles and contributions of immigrants. A timely volume at this point in the history of the West.
  • Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2023
    In this complex sea of humanity there are undercurrents threatening our very existence that thrive on our differences in faith, differences in culture and where we come from. We need positive narratives to counter the hate that dominates the internet. We need to relax and take in a book that can be picked up on any lazy weekend turning to any random page, read a bit and then put it down for another time.

    Finding American looks at the richness of diversity that strengthen a country with the story of immigrants and the 50 states that ended up being their home. The photos capture the individual spark of a unique individual from another part of the world and the stories provide a window into someone who may be different, but in the end shares the same hopes and basic morality we all have.

    Colin has spearheaded several projects that promote understanding of our fellow man and getting along. In a previous collection of photos and stories Colin looked at married couples from different religions. Husbands and wives put aside that which some nations and faiths go to war on and were able to prove that love can conquer all. Hopefully that project finds its way to print someday.

    In the meantime, this would make a great gift for someone special. You are special as well, so splurge on yourself and enjoy.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2023
    "Finding American" is much more than a collection of photographs; it is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Each image is an aperture into the lives, dreams, and struggles of the people who left everything behind in pursuit of the American dream. What sets this book apart is the author, Colin Boyd Shafer's, ability to inspire. Its pages remind us of the courage, resilience, and determination of those who have chosen to make America their home. The images and stories leave a thoughtful and enduring impact, compelling us to reflect on our own immigrant heritage and the shared dreams which unite us. In a world where division and intolerance sometimes cast shadows, "Finding American" is a breath of hope. It is a call to empathy - a reminder of the values that underpin America's history. The United States of America should be honoured to be the environment and setting of these stories. It would be a privilege to read a similar collection, highlighting the stories of Canada. Sequel!? Any country would benefit from this calibre of journalism and storytelling.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2023
    I am so happy with my purchase of Finding American. This book is full of the most stunning images that seem to truly capture the incredible stories of resiliency, bravery and tenacity. I keep the book on display on my coffee table and my guests always comment on how stunning the photographs are. Simply beautiful.

    I Highly recommend this book!
  • Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2023
    If you despair that the root of America's discord and dysfunction is its immigration policy, you need to read this book. Highly acclaimed Canadian photographer and story teller, Colin Boyd Shafer, has turned his lens and receptive ear to stories of grit, talent, sacrifice, love, commitment, and kindness from newcomers. The collaborators in this massive undertaking come from all over the world and have settled in every part of the nation. Finding American is a joy to read, either straight through or by opening at any random page. It should be required reading for all politicians and all those who fear "the other."
  • Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2023
    Finding American is a remarkable and beautiful book that delves into the lives and experiences of immigrants from diverse backgrounds. Authored by Colin Boyd Shafer, this book offers an intimate, unfiltered glimpse into the trials, victories, and challenges faced by immigrants. Boyd Shafer does a wonderful job of weaving together a tapestry of stories, each one offering a unique perspective on the immigrant experience. His ability to let each person's voice shine through, allowing them to present their stories in their own words, is commendable. This book serves as a testament to the profound impact of storytelling, demonstrating its potential to cultivate empathy, understanding, and inspire positive change. It is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience, making it a worthy addition to one's collection or a thoughtful gift. Bravo to Colin Boyd Shafer for masterfully bringing these important narratives to life!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2023
    This book is a celebration of our common humanity. Intimate, personal storytelling, each page takes a hero's journey. What jumps out is love for the people photographed in it, almost like they become friends and family as you take in the personal odysseys of their lives.
  • Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2023
    Finding American is a wonderful collection of stories that offers a snapshot into the lives of immigrants from across the US. It is beautifully presented in photographs and accompanying brief narratives.
    Despite the different stories, the hardships of so many diverse lives from so many different countries, what I found compelling was the feeling I had of us all being the same. That we all are striving for the same things despite our differences and past experiences. We want to be safe, healthy and secure and we want to spend time with our family and friends. The book is provocative and reminds us that our differences are superficial and that at our core we are all the same.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Personal stories and educational information
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book will help enlighten people about the struggle, challenges and hope of immigrants trying to create a life free from fear and need.