Customer Reviews

Forgotten Ellis Island: The Extraordinary Story of America's Immigrant Hospital

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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I really enjoyed this book because I did not know a whole lot about the Ellis island situation and was fascinated at the detail that this book gave about the construction of the hospitals and how patients got placed in them. I also had no idea that the immigrants had so many skin diseases but after reading about the sanitation conditions I was not surprised. It is truly amazing what our ancestors had to go through to live here.

Before reading this book I knew very little about Ellis Island. I thought of Ellis Island as a port of entry and not much else. After reading this book and seeing pictures of the many people that came through Ellis Island I had a new sense of appreciation not only of those that came through but of those that made it possible. Although the book depicts some of the darker side of how we, as a nation, dealt with immigrants, the overall story was one of hope and humanity. I highly recommend this book.

This was an interesting part of the Ellis Island story I had never before heard. The book was fascinating and enjoyable. However I dropped the last star because of a two things - most photos were not labeled and I felt that the stories of those who worked there, with the exception of the doctors, were ignored. I was left with the desire for more information, but I recognize that resources are apparently difficult to get find and access.

This was a great book to read. It never dawned on me that immigrants were medically screened before coming into the US. The pictures were great and the documentary was very informative.

The staff at the hospital were caring and willing to help when no one else was.

I plan to read more on this.

A book for those that think they know about Ellis Island, Island of Hope and the Island of Tears. Conway has reminded us of the heartbreaking side of the island.

This book brings to life stories of hope and healing. I thought i knew the story of Ellis Island but had never heard of the hospital -- or thought about how it changed the lives of the people who came through there. At a time when health care and immigration are on the minds of many Americans, the story of Forgotten Ellis Island both instructs and inspires.

This book told many of the hard facts the immigrants had to go through. If wasn't easy to come to America. And to let this wonderful landmark fall in to ruins is a shame. If the walls of the hospital could talk, or any of the rooms; What a story they could tell. Anyone interested in their family history or genealogy could benefit from this book. It certainly opened my eyes.

Lorie Conway takes readers into one the of most historic landmarks in US history, Ellis Island. FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF AMERICA'S IMMIGRANT HOSPITAL peruses history, and revisits an important relic from America's immigrant past, which is also the epitome and constant reminder of the history of the United States and its people. The book examines the building that housed, nursed, and recorded/documented the many immigrants who passed through its halls.

With its impressive narrative and an array of photographs dating back to the early twentieth century during the height of immigration, Conway writes about one of the most defining moments in the American Dream story. But there also entailed the dark moments of immigration that involved the "other" or non-American born peoples, and how they had to endure painstaking and excruciating steps after walking off the ships in which they came from afar, which involved medical examinations and quarantines. Furthermore, immigrants were scrutinized, and many believed that they hindered the social make-up of American society; their reactions came in the form of discrimination and partisanship that was sociological, medical, and political in nature. For example, jingoist political cartoons show the depictions, such as one cartoon of Uncle Sam "rocking the boat" or shaking his fist in defiance towards newly arrived immigrants.

FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND is an important part of American history. This story is an eye-opening narrative filled with retrospection. For those who may have visited the main building of Ellis Island, which is now a museum, this book may enhance their understanding of the immigration history and experience. But most importantly, it also delves into the issue of American identity, and how the United States was shaped and built by immigrants.

Wonderful book. So much I didn't know about Ellis Island before reading this. This book should be on a "must read" list. I saw a PBS program on Ellis Island which lead me to look for this book and others on Amazon.

I FOUND THAT THE BOOK GAVE A LOT OF VERY INTERESTING FACTS ON HISTORY THAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO LOOK INTO EVEN FURTHER ! GREAT BOOK