This text uses history, biography, and sociological analysis to examine the achievements and struggles of racial and ethnic groups in American cities.

Race and Ethnicity in the American Nation Mainstream uses history, biography, and sociological analysis to examine the achievements and struggles of racial and ethnic groups in American cities. Doob focuses on race and ethnicity in U.S. cities, where most immigrant groups have historically settled, and where most inter-group relations have taken place. The book is organized around social systems (politics, housing, economics and work, education) rather than groups or concepts such as prejudice and discrimination.