In this undergraduate text, Coles (sociology, Marquette U.) finds marked similarities in the structures of families that cross racial lines, along with some significant and surprising differences. She begins with a brief history of the US family and the ways in which it has been studied, compares families across cultures and by gender, describes intergenerational relationships, and then examines African American, Native American, Latino, Asian and multiracial families. Coles takes an empirical approach to help readers consider how they consider information about families so they do not reinforce stereotypes; with this in mind, she makes ample use of census and other primary data and guides readers through interpretations based on research rather than on gut reaction. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)