Island of Hope, Island of Tears by David M. Brownstone, Irene M. Franck and Douglas Brownstone

Island of Hope, Island of Tears, The Story of Those Who entered the New World through Ellis Island – in Their own Words, by David M. Brownstone, Irene M. Franck and Douglas Brownstone.

This book contains a number of first-hand reports from nearly 15 million European immigrants to the U.S. from 1892 to the early 1950’s. The rigors of crossing the Atlantic and adjusting to a New Land are described in detail, and also amazing stories of a number of them who rose from rags to riches, from illiteracy to university degrees,  from unwanted to international fame, from starvation to plenty, from painful confusion to comfortably adapting to a new life.  Read the book and see how immigration has vastly enriched our nation.

Recommended Reading: The Death of Josseline, Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands by Margaret Regan

In The Death of Josseline, Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands, Margaret Regan tells incredibly sad stories of  men, women and even children  who attempt to cross illegally from Central-America and Mexico into the U.S. through Arizona –and who die in the desert.  Every year thousands of bodies are reported, of immigrants who had trusted and paid great sums of money to irresponsible coyotes” (guides) on the promise of a safe arrival.

Along with the horror of those who died, Regan also tells of heroic attempts to help the sick and wounded who are reported, to hospitals for proper care. Special mention is made of Catholic and social agencies, volunteers and even some border patrols.  But even these immigrants are sent back to their place of origin.

One reviewer said that this book “should be required reading for everyone --  from President Obama…to migrant rights activists.”