Book Description
Between 1892 and the early 1950s, nearly 15 million people streamed through Ellis Island in search of a new life. Here are the stories of those extraordinary immigrants, largely in their own poignant words. Coming primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, and from widely diverse backgrounds, the émigrés represented in this remarkable volume recount their adventures with dignity, wit, and unflagging honesty. Among the dozens of unforgettable narrators you'll meet are a Greek boy who, forced into the Turkish Army, escaped to the U.S. with the help of the Russian Orthodox Church; a young Polish girl who made the harrowing journey only to have to flee a "white slaver"; and a Czech woman who fooled doctors into letting her travel despite being eight months pregnant.
Customer Reviews:
Immigration to the land of milk and honey.......2006-06-03
This is the best historical accounting of immigration to the United States. For those Americans who feel victimized by whatever issues that afflict them and by not feeling that they are in the land of opportunity and freedom, they can try and immigrate to another country... Mexico, China, Canada, Africa and see what golden opportunities are available to immigrants. The Great Immigration between the late 1800's and the early 1900's brought people who wanted a better life without persecution and ultimately death by the Germans and the Russians who were not necessarily of Jewish descent. The immigrants went to great hardship and loss to come to our great country and work for a better life and live in our land of "milk and honey."
I loved this book and would highly recommend it as required reading for all high school students, college students and ALL Americans.
A candid look.......2004-06-02
The period from roughly 1880 to 1925 witnessed the greatest movement of people from one continent to another. Millions upon millions, mostly from Russia and southern and eastern Europe hoped to make a new beginning in the only country that held out that hope: America. And millions of them entered the United States through Ellis Island. There have been hundreds of books on this subject but few very recount the exact words of those who experienced this exodus. "Island of Hope, Island of Tears"
by David M. Brownstone is one of the few to use these primary resources. Much of the material has been seen before, scattered across the pages of other books about the great immigration experience, but I can't think of any one book that put all of it together in one place.
Part of what's unique about this book is its candor in revealing how many immigrants were mortally disappointed by the promise of America which never materialized. Another distinguishing feature is the presentation of just about every reason that these people fled their homes and what they expected to find here. Their responses are just as varied as the numbers of small towns from which they'd left. Lastly, of course, is the lucid descriptions of what these people endured during their voyages and the frightful experience and suspense that awaited them at Ellis Island, that old munitions dump by the Statue of Liberty.
This is an endearing while also harsh look at an episode in American--and world--history that will doubtfully ever happen again.
Passage to Heaven or Return to Hell.......2001-01-02
Millions of immigrants traveled by sea to America in search of a better life than the one they left behind in their old country. They were escaping from poverty, famine, persecution, and conscription. They sought jobs, freedom, and adventure. In Island of Hope, Island of Tears by David M. Brownstone, Irene M. Franck, and Douglass Brownstone, the history of Ellis Island comes to life through stories told by immigrants and the workers in their own words. This book explores the reasons why people left their home countries and the special role that Ellis Island played in their journey. The authors attempt to answer many questions that surround the peak years of immigration. They approach the subject with facts and personal anecdotes from interviews with people who passed through Ellis Island. The results present a surprising variation in the recounting of tales. No two immigrants recollect an identical experience, even in the same family. Why did they leave? Stella Jedryka left Poland in fear of the Russian soldiers. "We couldn't stand the Russian people-soldiers. We were running away from them" (28). What countries did they come from? "I was born in what is now Czechoslovakia-it was Bohemia in those days" (34) stated Charles Bartunek about the area near Prague in 1913. What did they expect to find? Esther Almgren from Sweden said, "I figured you're going to be picking gold out of the mountains, everybody thought America had no work..." (102). Was America what they had hoped for? "Between 1908 and 1923, fifty or more people returned for every one hundred immigrants that arrived for many nationalities..." (57/58). Some people left in search of adventure and some out of fear. Most were in third-class steerage accommodations and were seasick after they left they port. Still others loved the trip and the food, mostly pickled herring. Some hauled prized possessions with them, like feather beds, while others wore only the clothes on their backs. Many came bearing gifts for relatives in the United States, anything from sausage to whiskey. There were immigrants who stole across guarded borders at night and a few who went in better accommodations on first or second class. Travelers were often promised a short comfortable trip by shipping lines but often found themselves for "two to four weeks in an unseaworthy bucket" (117). Teenagers fared the best, having an optimistic outlook and fewer family responsibilities to harden them, but the newcomers represented all ages. If you are one of the four out of ten Americans who can trace their family back to Ellis Island, you will enjoy this book and perhaps find a story that sounds like your own heritage. Brownstone and Franck illustrate the rough beginning for these important Americans who took risks and paved the way for many of us who enjoy our lives today.
Customer Reviews:
A passable series debut.......2002-04-18
ISLAND OF TEARS, by Mickey Rawlings's creator Troy Soos, introduces a promising newcomer to the detective genre; Marshall Webb. If you're looking for a period mystery as substantial as THE ALIENIST, THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS, any of Anne Perry's novels, or even Stephen Saylor's A TWIST AT THE END and the Roma Sub Rosa series, then you're bound to be disappointed. Soos's book is charitably weighed in at 280 pages (at least 40 of which are blanks between chapters) and he obviously doesn't luxuriate in the period as Carr or Saylor do (which is unusual for a historian-turned-novelist such as the two abovementioned). This is a meat-and-potatoes mystery and is typical for the genre in length, denouement, characterization, and execution.
Marshall Webb is likable enough as a hero but he almost completely lacks the sense of humor that makes Mickey Rawlings such a favorite of Soos's earlier fans. Webb depresses me, frankly. One of the biggest reasons why it's so hard to connect with Webb is because ISLAND OF TEARS isn't told with the usual first person narrative that is so typical of the mystery genre. The reader is told about Webb's impressions instead of being able to read his mind as we've rightly come to expect. Mickey Rawlings, who *does* benefit from first person narrative, is better able to entertain us with his baseball play, his knowledge of the game, and with his unconventional humor. There is nothing entertaining nor uplifting about a humorless hack with writer's block, especially if he's a dime novelist.
The denouement and unmasking of the killer was telegraphed much earlier than it should've been and overall the motive, opportunity, and means of the murder seemed flat and uninspired. The supporting cast of Crombie, Gehringer, Rebecca Davies, et al seems to be a promising ensemble and I look forward to seeing these characters develop along with Webb. I only hope they have more humor the next time around and are involved with a longer, more substantial murder mystery.
A decent historical novel.......2002-01-15
Author Troy Soos paints a lively picture of America in the early 20th century. Corruption in Tamany Hall, the struggle of immigrants desperate to survive in the jungle of New York, the conflict between new technology (the motion picture camera) and its potential uses for good, are all part of the landscape. As compelling as all of this is, I don't think the story ever really draws us into its spell. I felt as though I were an outsider listening to someone describe the scenes, rather than a participant engrossed with the mystery of the story.
The central mystery of the story involves the disappearance of a newly-arrived immigrant from the Netherlands, who piques the interest of dime story novelist Marshall Webb. He hopes to use her tale - preferably a happy rags-to-riches story - as the basis for his next story. Instead, Christina vanishes and Marshall is drawn into a tangle of coincidences, corruption, and evil. The novel is populated with a wealth of characters: the socialite-turned-social-worker, the girls in the clubs, the crooks preying on innocent immigrants, the inventor, and so on. None of them, unfortunately, takes on any sort of vivid life. They are well-described, but curiously flat on the page. And at the end of the story, the loose ends are tied up neatly - but in a way that again feels flat and emotionless.
This is a decent period piece that will give the reader some good descriptions of New York City at the turn of the century, but within hours of finishing the book, its characters will be indistinguishable from each other, and will quickly fade from memory.
Excellent reading experience.......2001-10-21
In 1892, the first ship debarks at Ellis Island loaded with hopeful immigrants looking forward to a new start on the first day of the new year. A contributor to Harper's Weekly, dime novelist Marshall Webb is at the scene of the docking to observe the goings-on so he can write a series of articles and eventually a book. On the island, Marshal meets Dutch arrival Christina Van der Waak, whose trust and optimism in the American system he believes will make quite a good story, but she instantly vanishes.
Marshall concludes that there is more to Christina than just the tale of an upbeat emigrant and he begins to make inquiries into what happened to her. His investigation takes Marshall all over Manhattan and leads to reformist Rebecca Davies and Colden House, a shelter for abused women. Rebecca joins Marshall on his quest as the search for the apparently abducted young woman turns frantic and quite dangerous.
ISLAND OF TEARS is a detailed historical mystery with romance to spice up the relationship between the lead duo. The story line is filled with action that occasionally slows down when author Troy Soos pays homage to the Gay Nineties with incredible descriptive depths rarely seen in a novel. This e thrilling mystery enlightens and entertains the audience. Hopefully further collaborations between Rebecca and Christina will occur as fans of historical tales will believe Mr. Soos hit a home run off of that HANGING CURVE.
Harriet Klausner
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Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag Volume 6, An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving & Other Stories, 1882, 1st Edition, 1st Printing by LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, includes A Strange Island, Dolls Journey from Minnesota to Maine ETC, scrap-bag (Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag, 6)
Green & White Floral Decorated Endapapers small Tears, Blank Flyleaf Pencil Number, by LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
Manufacturer: Roberts Brothers Publ. Boston
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Binding: Hardcover
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Product Description
HARDBACK NO DUSTJACKET,1ST Edition, 1st Issue, 1882, Dates Match on Title page & Copyright pg, VG-/GOOD, AS-IS, NOJACKET, Small Red Cloth Approx 6.5 x 4.5 IN. (pages 6 1/4" x 4 1/4"), Crimson Red Cover Titled & Decorated Gold Gilt on Spine light Wear Tiny Chips Ends Spine & Crack going
Book Description
Through fifty years of independence, Sri Lanka has suffered mass murders, bombings, assassinations and endless ethnic conflict. This book examines the causes of the conflict and suggests ways it might be solved.
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Island of Tears
William Ronald Hawkins
Manufacturer: Efstathiadis Group,Greece
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 9602263016 |
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Island of Tears, Island of Hope: Living the Gospel in a Revolutionary Situation
Niall O'Brien
Manufacturer: Wipf & Stock Publishers
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1597522252 |
Book Description
For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the Sliver of Infinity, reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Rulers most hellish prison. Kelsier snapped and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark. Kels plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, shes a half-Skaa orphan, but shes lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.
Customer Reviews:
Exciting new entry in Fantasy/SciFi.......2007-09-29
Fantasy/SciFi novels often suffer from being very formulaic. I was pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of Mistborn. It's been a long time since I was entranced by a novel and this one did it for me. I strongly recommend it to all Fantasy/SciFi readers out there.
hooray!!.......2007-09-10
I am always pleased to find a great new author of fanatsy fiction. What a thrill it was to find this book. It came highly recommended by my teenage son and I was very pleased that it was such a great read. It isn't very often that a fantasy author comes up with a world that feels so unique, filled with characters that are believable. My son really likes the detail that Sanderson takes in describing how the magic system works, (it too, is very original.) I tend to find that sort of thing tedious as I am a more plot driven reader, but didn't find myself getting bogged down at all. We have recommended the book to all our fantasy reading friends and it has been enjoyed by moms, dads, and teens alike all through our neighborhood. A few reluctant readers got stalled out in the first chapter, which is better understood after getting farther into the book. All in all, this is a great read that anyone fond of fantasy will enjoy. (It was also refreshing to come to a satisfactory ending point even though this is the beginning of a trilogy.) What a score for the fantasy genre!
Mistborn Book 1.......2007-09-09
This book has some complexities to its "world" that makes it a little hard to grasp in the first book. Having to do with the power of metals give to certain people. I had difficulty wondering how they could eat and burn all that metal and not be toxic, but anyway the characters were interesting and it did make we want to read book 2 to see how it would end. Book 2 was much better
Fantastic new fantasy series!.......2007-09-04
You need to read this book! Brandon Sanderson is an author you cannot afford to miss.
This is epic fantasy with new and imaginatively distinct characters, an understandable and fascinating magic system, that climaxes where most series end. The novel raises questions about understanding class systems, governments, prophesy, religion, man's relationship to Gods and other men, and when and if violence is necessary or appropriate to overthrow tyranny. All that with a fun heist plot and breakneck pacing, this is a great read.
Yup...good book........2007-08-28
I don't like fantasy books but I read Elantris then had to get this. Both are good reads and worth your hard earned. Just got my copy of Well of Ascension.... can't wait.
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Over My Shoulder: Reflections on a Science Fiction Era
Lloyd Arthur Eshbach , and
Algis Budrys
Manufacturer: Donald M. Grant Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1880418118 |
Book Description
This extraordinary compendium gives access to what the greatest minds of all time and the various faith and philosophical traditions say on every aspect of the spiritual life, be it faith, patience, suffering, or mercy. Relevant passages are included, such as Eckhart, Philo, Rumi, the Talmud, Shakespeare, Rama Krishna, Black Elk, The Psalms, the Tao Te Ching, and Milarepa, among countless others.
Customer Reviews:
The Magnum Opus of Spiritual Wisdom.......2003-03-12
this is it. the big book of the spiritual wisdom of the ages. from all the great wisdom traditions, east and west, this is the most comprehensive anthology i've ever seen. all the major themes of mankind's search for The Real are treated. from creation to sacrifice to magic to illusion to reality to visions to suffering, death, metanoia, prayer, grace, ecstacy, truth, union, the esoteric, the list goes on and on. mr perry has wisely organised this large book [over 1,000 pages] into a very accessable treasure trove of the world's greatest wisdom writings. well referenced, indexed, foot noted, the book is awesome on many levels. here you have quotes from the bible, the koran, the buddhist sutras, the bhagavad gita, shakespeare, plotinus, ramakrishna, eckhart, william law, thomas aquinas, kabir, lao tzu, ramana maharshi, black elk, plato, and hundreds more. this beautiful book all by itself makes a fine library of both ancient and modern writings by the great prophets, seers, sages, mystics, and scholars who have sought to speak their deepest truths. i buy books all the time, this is one of those rare ones you fall in love with completely. with very few exceptions, i know of no more wonderful book of essential knowledge than this one. buy it, you'll love it!!!
A must for anyone into religions and spirituality.......2002-07-08
I have this book in its first (1972) edition, and I have to say that it is simply excellent, a cyclopean work (before the general use of computers and all that). This is an encyclopedia of the wisdom of the religions of the world, collected by themes and, from the first page to the end as if it were a spiritual journey, so you begin reading passages about "spiritual death" and you end with the highest level, which is "union with God". Mr. Perry has taken a lot (a lot) of care in quoting the sources, so that they're not out of context. And you have almost 1.200 pages of wisdom in its purest form from the most orthodoxes sages or saints (or both). The notes and introductions to every chapter (and every chapter has its own sections and subsections so each one is relatively short) are clarifying and taken to the minimun, so to not to interrupt much the quotes. Add to this the cross references at the margins of each page and you have the best "summa of the philosophia perennis" ever collected. A must for everyone interested in comparative religions and spirituality no matter your standpoint.
spirit enhancing.......2001-05-28
This book is incredible. It gives much meaning to words like death and love. Did you know that marriage and die mean the same thing? In this book, this is something that is brought up. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to expand their spiritual perspective on things. This book is considered to be an " Encyclopedia of Humankind's spiritual Truths " GET THIS BOOK!
Customer Reviews:
Comprehensive Updated Guide To Old Tools and Locks.......2000-08-07
This 1999 8 x 11" 290 page 7th edition contains 1000's of black and white pictures. Major topics range from wood and metal axes, hatchets, blacksmith, wrenches, railroad track, saws, levels, screwdrivers to farm tools. There is a very large section devoted to locks, keys and closures. Many original old catalog pages are included. The book is completely indexed for ease of use. A very useful reference work for this popular collectible.
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Nag Hammadi Codex III: The Dialogue of the Savior - The Coptic Gnostic Library - 1984 (Nag Hammadi Studies , No 26)
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
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ASIN: 9004075585 |
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La Biblia de Adobe Premiere 6
Adele Droblas Grenberg
Manufacturer: Anaya Multimedia
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ASIN: 8441512493 |
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Adobe Premiere 6.5: a Bíblia
Manufacturer: Campus
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ASIN: 8535211799 |
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A Stranger Story Never Told - An Angelic Encounter
Thomas C. Nixon
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1410730794 |
Books:
- Jacqueline Susann's Shadow of the Dolls: A Novel
- James Joyce: The Complete Recordings
- Leaving Everything Behind: The Songs and Memories of a Cheyenne Woman
- Lodore
- London Revenant
- Making Waves #3: Sweet
- Mexicoland: Stories from Todos Santos
- Mittens in the Boundary Waters (Mittens in the Boundary Waters, 1)
- Mystic Masseur
- North of Nowhere, South of Loss: Stories
Books Index
Books Home
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Island Of Hope: The Journey To America And The Ellis Island Experience
Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920
Ellis Island
I Was Dreaming to Come to America: Memories from the Ellis Island Oral History Project
Ellis Island (NJ) (Images of America)
