In 1998, the Organization of American Historians (OAH) published A History of Multicultural America, a collection of essays edited by Ronald Takaki. The book sought to challenge the traditional narrative of American history, which portrayed the United States as a melting pot in which various immigrant groups assimilated into mainstream culture. Instead, A History of Multicultural America presented a more nuanced view of the country's past, highlighting the contributions of different ethnic and racial groups to the nation's development.
The book was widely acclaimed by historians and received positive reviews in major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post. However, it also generated some controversy, with some critics accusing Takaki of downplaying the achievements of white Americans. Nonetheless, A History of Multicultural America remains an important work in the field of American history and continues to shape how scholars understand the country's past.