This book is a cornerstone in the written history of the German immigration to Pennsylvania. Neither a collection of family histories nor a collection of source records, it is nevertheless an extremely useful book for anyone undertaking research into Pennsylvania-German origins because it explains the background of German immigration, especially Palatine immigration, identifying the causes, the migration patterns, and the leading figures in the movement; describes the ocean voyage, the manner of conveyance, and the disposition of the immigrants; provides an understanding of the methods the Pennsylvania-Germans adopted in acquiring lands; and generally explains the impact of German immigration on American colonization.