Ellis Angels On The Move: Making A Difference In Brooklyn

by Carole Lee Limata

Ellis Angels On The Move: Making A Difference in Brooklyn is the continuing story of Ellis Angels: The Nurses of Ellis Island Hospital. Nurse Angie Bosco and the ladies-in-white continue their work, caring for newly-arrived immigrants at Ellis Island. However, 1925 finds Nurse Angie Bosco leaving Ellis Island, moving to a section of Brooklyn called Williamsburg. There, she begins working closely with Dr. Abraham Goodwin, establishing the Nativity Settlement House and Health Clinic.
Before Angie begins her journey, she meets with Lillian Wald, the founder of the New York Visiting Nurses at The Henry Street Settlement House. Lillian teaches her the importance of establishing trust with the residents in the neighborhood. As Angie “settles” in Williamsburg, she lives at a nearby church convent, and quickly immerses herself into the culture and the customs of the diverse community. She connects with Visiting Nurse Maureen O’Shaughnassey and her long-time friend, Nurse Adeline Ferme’.
Nurse Angie and Doctor Abe begin to have many unanswered questions about the mysterious activities of their neighbors. They slowly uncover answers, and learn the vital contribution a settlement house can make in helping the immigrants achieve their American dreams. In the process, they achieve their own dreams, as well.

294 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2014

Reviews

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd in the Series !

Excellent novel with more exciting stories about Ellis Island and the Doctors and Nurses that worked there.
Angie and her Dr.finally start dating after more than 4 yrs.of working together.
They had their 1st.date by going to Coney Island and visiting the Luna Babies,which is mentioned several times thru out the novel.
Very good read,would recommend to anyone interested in 20's History.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for nurses

This is the second book I have read by Carole Limata. She is an amazing author and does an excellent job turning history into a captivating story. I also love the historical explanations that she provided along with ways to get more information on those topics. The only reason I didn’t give this a five is that it might not appeal to non nurses as much as it appealed to this nurse! Can’t wait to read #3.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was well researched, but it was very hard for me to get into it. At first, it seemed like reading a grocery list of historical facts. I understand it is a second book and may have liked it more if I had read the first.

[Cammy Kinstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

This was a great book full of love, dedication to duty, and the challenges of being an immigrant coming to America by boat. It is the sequel to Ellis island and I thoroughly enjoyed both books. My thanks to the author.

[JANE ACKLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

I love this series. Love to read about this time period in the history of our country. Have loved it since I saw a photo of my great grandparents as they arrived at Ellis island. I just had to know more.

[Story Circle Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than ten million immigrants began their American adventures at Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. The Immigration Law of 1924 established strict quota guidelines and drastically slowed the flow of immigration. With fewer immigrants passing through Ellis Island, the nurses expected fewer admissions. But the doctors had more time for each examination; thereby noticing more than when they hustled immigrants through with less scrutiny. The 750 bed Ellis Island Hospital became busier; the nurses found they had to work longer hours with more patients than ever. The patients had diagnoses varying from appendicitis, typhus, pneumonia, pregnancy, broken bones and skin infections, all were in dire need of personal hygiene due to their cramped quarters on the ship and lack of facilities. Some arrived with no shoes and infected sore feet. Language was often a problem for nurses providing care to non-English speaking immigrants; and they relied on a large group of bilingual volunteers.

The story follows Doctor Abe, Nurses Angie, Adeline and Maureen along with a large cast of secondary and tertiary characters—whose lives weave in and out of historical events. Adoption, prohibition, kidnapping, rum-runners and organized crime thread the suspense from Ellis Island to the establishment of the Nativity Settlement House and Health Clinic in Brooklyn. Immersing themselves into their diverse immigrant neighborhood, they attempt to provide the services most needed to help the immigrants achieve their individual American dreams.

I was drawn to Ellis Angels on the Move because of my background in nursing. And I was not disappointed. Carole Lamata's forty year career in nursing adds authenticity as she describes the endless hours of patient care, the relationships between the nurses and doctors, as well as with their patients. She integrated the formality of titles used at that time into the dialogue, (Miss Angie, Miss Maureen, etc.), which at the beginning seemed a bit stilted to me. Once I became accustomed to it, I was totally captivated by the story. The author is a gifted story teller.

This well-researched novel is a great resource to understanding the challenges faced in their daily lives, before modern medicine. The nurse's dedication established a high standard of care, and this novel should be considered as required reading for nursing curriculum in colleges across the country.

by Ann McCauley
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women