Gateway to Liberty

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A New York City resident and author of local guides, Shapiro places the two landmarks in ironic contrast: ``If Liberty symbolized the aspirations, ideals and dreams of the immigrants, Ellis Island would come to represent the harsh realities and ordeals they would have to endure before they and their children would share in America's blessings.'' After documenting the design, construction, fund-raising and unveiling ceremony of the Statue of Liberty, Shapiro traces the history of immigration. Her engrossing and empathic narrative weaves together memoirs, government reports and correspondence. The book is also distinguished by its striking collection of 250 photographs and illustrations, including many political cartoons and memorable portraits of immigrants by Lewis W. Hine. (May)

Library Journal

In this centennial year of the Statue of Liberty there is a proliferation of books on the statue. Like James Bell's In Search of Liberty ( LJ 8/84) and Christian Blanchet and Bertrand Dard's Statue of Liberty: the first hundred years ( LJ 11/15/85), Shapiro's book is a readable survey of the erection of the statue and the development of Ellis Island as a port of entry for immigrants coming to America. Shapiro utilizes first-hand accounts, newspaper reports, and contemporary journal articles to record the history of the two landmarks and the observations of prominent Americans as well as recently arrived immigrants. The 250 illustrations also add to this attractive volume. This should interest readers on all levelsbut so will the other volumes already in print. Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.