Coan takes readers on an emotional tour of Ellis Island with this elaborate, readable collection of interviews. As he makes clear, from 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was truly the ``golden door'' to America; later, quotas and legislation made US citizenship much more difficult to obtain. The voices captured in first-person narrations—bemused, feisty, poignant—express enthusiasm for their new country, but most are unafraid to look back. The book is divided into the geographical regions from which the interviewees emigrated: the United Kingdom, Northern, Eastern, and Western Europe, Scandinavia, and the Middle East. Each interview comes with an introduction revealing where the speaker settled, thus connecting the old stories to the present. A few famous subjects make appearances among the 130+ men and women included: Bob Hope explains how his first sight of the Statue of Liberty is linked to his theme song (``Thanks for the Memories'') and Otto Preminger is frank about his prospects had his film career succeeded in Germany—he would not have been able to escape Hitler. With so many stories, and so many voices, this is a fine collection of primary-source materials. (index, appendix, b&w photos, not seen) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-8160-3414-1
Page Count: 403
Publisher: Facts On File
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1997
This admiring portrait hangs on the theme of freedom: both word and idea recur frequently, not only in chapter headings and picture captions but throughout the text, from terms like ``freedom fighter'' to a comparison between Mandela and our Founding Fathers. Feinberg describes South Africa's history plus Nelson Mandela's life, struggles, imprisonment, and release (and also Winnie Mandela's courageous career) in general terms; recent books such as Denenberg's biography (p. 106/C-18) cover the ground in greater detail but are aimed at older readers. Small b&w photos capture Mandela's presence and dignity. Chronology through June 1990; no bibliography or index. (Biography. 10-13)
Pub Date: May 10, 1991
ISBN: 0-7910-1569-6
Page Count: 76
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1991
In the ``Environmental Issues'' series, this overview of the science, technology, and politics of hunger suffers from an excess of definitions and from muddy thinking. Spencer defines ``biotechnology,'' for example, as ``Changing plant and animal genetic structure by scientific methods,'' stating that the basic principles have been known for thousands of years: ``Noah used them to make wine from grapes to celebrate the landing of the ark on dry ground.'' How does fermentation alter the genetic structure of grapes? The author indicates that ``governments must either find ways to slow down population growth or to increase the food supply. They cannot do both'' (why not?), but gives little information on either and concludes that ``the U.N., since its membership includes all nations, large and small, rich and poor, can deal on a global basis with global problems.'' He celebrates the 1990 U.N. conference that encouraged people to ``light a candle for the future of children everywhere.'' Candles are no more nourishing than platitudes. Glossary; further reading; organizations for further information; index. Photos not seen. (Nonfiction. 10-12)*justify no*
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1991
ISBN: 0-89490-283-0
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Enslow
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1991
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