In the mid-19th century, Irish immigrant servant girls lived in up to one-third of US households. This work is presented as the first book-length study of "Bridgets," often stereotyped as home wreckers. Drawing on their own words, Lynch-Brennan (retired, New York State Education Department; PhD, history) depicts their background in Ireland, work lives, and role in acculturating the Irish in America. The volume includes a foreword by Maureen O'Rourke Murphy, co-editor of An Irish Literature Reader (1987), photos, cartoons, and an ad reading "No Irish need apply." Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)