Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom [Hardcover]

Stephen Wilkes (Author), Bill Bradley (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393061450 | ISBN-13: 978-0393061451 | Publication Date: October 17, 2006 | Edition: First Edition

"Wilkes's photographs of the 'dark side' of Ellis Island are extraordinary...this book will be a major event." --David McCullough

For five years (1998-2003) New York photographer Stephen Wilkes explored the hospital complex that comprised the south side of Ellis Island. Neglected for almost fifty years, the buildings were in a state of extreme disrepair: lead paint peeled from the ceilings and walls, vines and trees grew through the floorboards, detritus and debris littered the hallways. In rooms long-abandoned, Wilkes captured a spirited new vision of this gateway to freedom.

Twelve million people passed through Ellis Island. Approximately one percent were turned away for health reasons. Wilkes's powerful images of the underbelly of the island--a purgatory between freedom and captivity--ask us to reflect on the defining experiences of millions. With that rare combination of an eye that sees far beyond the lens with the technical acumen of a master draftsman, Wilkes takes us on an unforgettable journey through our collective past.

77 color photographs

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Over the course of five years, photographer Wilkes has captured the dark underbelly of Ellis Island-the south side-where immigrants who failed health inspections were brought to be held and evaluated. Those that convalesced were given passage, while those deemed too ill or contagious were left to perish in confinement just a solitary, tantalizing mile away from their hoped-for new beginning in New York City. Obsolete for over half a century, the facilities on the south side have been left to decay, and Wilkes's camera catches crumbling corridor walls, chipped and faded paint, and heavily fortified containment cells that have become brittle with age and overrun by aggressive vegetation. In the artist's words, the architecture "was 50 percent the work of man, 50 percent the triumph of nature." Wilkes' perspective evokes the hopeless limbo of the facility's residents, capturing the view from the inside looking outward: through the steel grates of a detention cage; through windows of shattered glass; at the Statue of Liberty, a monolithic paradox for those trapped beneath it. Quotations from immigrants, peppered throughout, add context and gravitas to the stark imagery: "Nobody said a word to me for twenty-three days." In an appendix-like "Image Directory," Wilkes gives a short, insightful description of each photo. Historical in both scope and timing, Wilkes's book has been released just as Ellis Island's south side is being renovated, largely thanks to Wilkes's attention; soon the haunted desolation captured in these photographs will vanish forever.
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Review

“Wilkes's stunning photographs—taken over the course of five years—make this book a beautiful historical document.” (Continental Magazine )

“Wilkes takes us on a journey through our collective past.” (Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley )

“The most unusual, thoughtful and stirring collection of images I have seen in years.” (Lucy Davies - The Daily Telegraph )

“If it is possible to photograph emotion housed in spaces, Wilkes has done it, creating an empathetic portrait.” (Library Journal )

“His vivid and otherworldly photographs of the crumbling corridors and rooms, taken over five years, make up this remarkable book.” (Rebecca Robertson - ArtNews )

“A sleeper choice for anyone who thinks a picture is worth a thousand words.” (Ellen Heltzel - Good Housekeeping )

“A fascinating and haunting collection of images in which Wilkes captures an alternate vision of this 'gateway to freedom.'” (Lurzer's Archive )

“[...] Historical in both scope and timing, Wilkes's book has been released just as Ellis Island's south side is being renovated, largely thanks to Wilkes's attention; soon the haunted desolation captured in these photographs will vanish forever.” (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition edition (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393061450
• ISBN-13: 978-0393061451
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Architectural

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom, October 5, 2006

By 

David Kalman (Westport, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom (Hardcover)

Stephen Wilkes is a wonderful photographer and he makes the gritty details of a run down part of Ellis Island into a moving, dramatic and beautiful experience. It is powerful and also haunting and compelling you to walk in his foot steps. The images are technically exquisite. It is an inspiration to see the routes of our ancestors.

A great book to own.

David Kalman

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Is "Historic Preservation?", December 9, 2006

By 

John P Bernat (Kingsport, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom (Hardcover)

This book brings to light an unusual reflection: pictures taken at a historical site which does not look at all like this any more.

The photos in this book have a haunting quality because of the disrepair of the isolation hospital on the "South Side" of Ellis Island. The dishevelment of the facility has a haunting, poetic quality as captured by Stephen Wilkes here.

We learn, though, that the site looks nothing like this any more. The Ellis Island foundation has enough money now to restore this facility to its former state, as it existed long before this level of deterioration advanced as far as shown in the book.

Meaning that this photographic record is all that survives.

It calls to question the notion of historic preservation. We now have the means to make something old look new - or as it did when it was first built. Does this mean that, eventually, this awful hospital will become a Disney World version of itself?

It's a tough ethical call, for sure. At least, though, I'm so grateful to Wilkes for creating and sharing this rare record with us all.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, Great Photographs, March 26, 2007

By 

Tali Mindek "Art By Tali" (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom (Hardcover)

I Love this book, the pictures are beautiful, the design and layout make the pictures and quotes very moving. As a photographer I admire the quality of the work, and the bright vivid prints. I love that most of the images are full pages, sometimes spread across two pages, with small text labeling the room, or part of the property. There are no frames, page designs, or paragraphs to take away from the imagery. For more information and details the photographer includes a section of thumbnails with descriptions, stories about the room, or the shooting conditions, or even bitd of history. The thumbnails and text are at the back of the book with an arial shot and map showing the layout of the buildings. It really helps to peice together the history of Ellis Island. The quotes including add to the emotion behind the images, and I like that they were on parchment paper, so that you can see the pictures behind it. The books are being enjoyed by me and my mother, who is very interested in the hostory of Ellis Island, while I enjoy it for the photography. Great book to own, everyone should have a copy.