Married just over one year, 86-year-old Genia Burman and her husband, Irving Mandel, 88, had tears in their eyes as they renewed their vows with the others Wednesday.

Although the title implies that all the people and the country are the subject of this study, in fact, the authors concentrate on the Burmans--the majority race living in the heartland--and only tangentially mention any or all of the 35 percent of the population who are ethnic minorities, living primarily on the nation's periphery, who are determined to preserve and protect their historic cultures and identities and not to seek or accept assimilation into Burman culture.

Margaret Burman, a prominent upper West Side Realtor, has relocated from another local real estate company to join WEICHERT, REALTORS[R]--Peters Associates in Manhattan.