This story traces the history of Ellis Island, the people involved in its past, a brief history of New York City, and a biographical sketch of Sam Ellis, a wealthy merchant during the Revolutionary War. First a hanging site for pirates, the island became a private fishing ground for Ellis. The island remained in his family for a time but was then used as a training site and an arsenal, much to the chagrin of the people on the nearby mainland. Besides sketching the history of the island, Siegel tells about immigrants and the laws regarding them. Ellis Island was not only the doorway in, but during the 1950s was the doorway out for those deported due to the McCarthy hearings.