Category II

Italian American Press

Founded in 2001 Italian and Italian American Authors Italian and Italian American Books

Non-Fiction

Biography/Memoir

History

Sports

The 2017 Yearbook by Umberto Mucci Twenty-seven in-depth interviews, in English and Italian, addressing issues relevant to the Italian American community. A Camp Without Walls by Dr. Maria Lombardo The true story of Salvatore Lombardo, who joined the Italian army during World War II, was captured by the Nazis, and imprisoned in a labor camp. Maria Lombardo writes about her father’s survival after his release and the affect his imprisonment had on his life and the lives of subsequent generations of his family. AUTHOR WEBSITE AUTHOR INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Coal War in the Mahoning Valley by Joe Tucciarone and Ben Lariccia As the country and the economy grew during the Industrial Revolution, immigrants became a useful source of labor, and in many cases, not to their benefit. This detailed history of an 1873 coal miners’ strike in Northeast Ohio focuses on the Italian immigrants brought in – among deception and prejudices – to work the mines, and how they eventually established a vibrant Italian American community. AUTHORS INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Italian Culture in America: How a Founding Father Introduced Italian Art, Architecture, Food, Wine, and Liberty to the American People by Ralph G. Giordano A detailed and well documented look into Thomas Jefferson’s role in assimilating Italian culture into the culture of America, and how it has influenced American history and America’s emergence as a developing nation. BOOK REVIEW Italians Swindled to New York: False Promises at the Dawn of Immigration by Joe Tucciarone and Ben Lariccia The 1861 Unification of Italy launched a new European country promising to fulfill the dreams of millions of Italians. As the young Kingdom of Italy modernized, it ended feudalism, a move that opened many opportunities. But a large sector of poor peasants found themselves cutoff from the changed order and desperate to survive. In 1872, an army of speculators invaded the countryside, hawking steamship tickets and promising fabulous riches in the Americas. Propelled to New York through fraud, these arrivals were the first rumblings of Italian mass immigration. AUTHORS INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Philadelphia’s King of Little Italy by Charles G. Douglas, III Intertwined with historic facts about Italy and Italian immigration to Philadelphia, this biography about Charles Carmine Antonio Baldi, and his brothers, chronicles their achievements in establishing businesses and organizations to serve their local community. The Scattered Italians by Thomas Gambino The history of Italy interspersed with the author’s personal experiences presents an informative look at the ties between the Italian past and the Italian American present. She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome by Mark Tedesco A collection of stories taking the reader on a– past and present– journey across Rome, through its art, culture, and history. Ultimate Italian Trivia: A Treasure Trove of Fun and Fascinating Facts by Scott Paul Frush A collection of over 1600 amazing trivia tidbits as educational as they are fascinating. Vina, A Brooklyn Memoir by Joseph C Polacco An Italian “I Remember Mama,” set in Brooklyn in the mid-1900s. In a series of vignettes spanning over 50 years, Joseph Polacco writes about “the abundant roads lit by Mom,” and compares “her passing as the dimming of a light in so many people’s lives.” The book includes photographs – some of the “old neighborhood;” a guide to all the stops along the West End Line, part of the NY City transit system that ran from Coney Island north to Central Park (and also featured in the car chase scene in The French Connection); and a glossary of words (mostly Italian) commonly used at the time. AUTHOR WEBSITE BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW We The Italians: Two Flags, One Heart, One Hundred Interviews by Umberto Mucci A diverse collection of interviews, from Italy and America, providing a better understanding of Italians and Italian Americans.

After Laughing Comes Crying: Sicilian Immigrants on Louisiana Plantations by Joseph L. Cacibauda Based on facts and heavily researched, the culture of Sicilian immigration is examined as workers travel to Louisiana to labor on sugar plantations. AUTHOR INTERVIEW Antonio and the Electric Scream - The Man Who Invented the Telephone by Sandra Meucci The life story of Antonio Meucci, inventor of the telettrofono (electric phone). A Bit of Myself by Filomena Abys-Smith On a journey of immigration in search of the American Dream, this memoir will take you from the author’s home town of Bagnoli, Naples Italy to the United States. Always on Sunday: Memories of An Italian Childhood by Marcia A. Russoto A heartwarming glimpse back in time to the simple and uncomplicated life from the fifties and early sixties in the small-in-size yet large-in- love little town of Sharpsburg, PA. Dances with Luigi: A Grandson's Search for His Italian Roots by Paul Paolicelli TV journalist Paul Paolicelli moves to Italy in an attempt to piece together the mysteries surrounding both his grandfathers. Deeply Rooted In Faith & Family by Ginda Ayd Simpson Set in Tuscany and Umbria, a story that examines the value of family, the courage of the human spirit and the grace of growing older. Eat Now; Talk Later by James Vescovi A twist on the usual immigrant tale, this book tells the story of two Italians – born when oxen were used for plowing – facing the American world of refrigerators, telephones, and TV wrestling. Four Dollars and a Dream: The Life and Times of Cino Chegia by Jeff Gilliland and Cino Chegia The American Dream, Italian Style of an Italian fisherman who survives World War II and makes a successful life in America. The Garlic in the Melting Pot by Lewis M. Elia From the streets of Brooklyn and the horse trails of Saratoga Springs, the life of an Italian-American, who became more aware of his ethnic group values of family and hard work. Helsinki Revisited - A Key U.S. Negotiator’s Memoirs on the Development of the CSCE into the OSCE by John J. Maresca A Key U.S. negotiator’s memoirs on the development of the CSCE (Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe) into the OSCE (Organization on Security and Co-operation in Europe), to end the Cold War in Europe. Innocent Heart, Laughter and Tears by Antonia Sparano Geiser Memories of family, friends and neighbors, and tales of life in Southern Italy and as an immigrant in America in the mid-1900s. Not for Self: A Sicilian Life and Death in Marion by Joseph L. Cacibauda Based on the true story of a Sicilian immigrant who first worked in the coal mines and later opened a tavern in southern Illinois in the early 1920s. The turbulence of the times – Prohibition and bootlegging, the Ku Klux Klan and racism, the United Mine Workers of America and coal mine strikes, and political discord – causes additional obstacles to making a life in America. BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW Out of Rushmore’s Shadow - The Luigi Del Bianco Story by Lou Del Bianco The incredible story of Luigi Del Bianco, the chief carver of Mount Rushmore, told by his namesake and grandson, Lou Del Bianco. Filled with historic documents and photographs, and family memorabilia, the book chronicles three stories – the carving of Mount Rushmore, the life of Luigi Del Bianco, and Lou’s quest to have his grandfather recognized as the chief carver of Mount Rushmore. LUIGI DEL BIANCO WEBSITE BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW Rambling Round by Anthony Buccino A collection of 65 essays that appeared in the author’s Rambling Round columns in Worrall Community Newspapers, in New Jersey. Vina, A Brooklyn Memoir by Joseph C Polacco An Italian “I Remember Mama,” set in Brooklyn in the mid-1900s. In a series of vignettes spanning over 50 years, Joseph Polacco writes about “the abundant roads lit by Mom,” and compares “her passing as the dimming of a light in so many people’s lives.” The book includes photographs – some of the “old neighborhood;” a guide to all the stops along the West End Line, part of the NY City transit system that ran from Coney Island north to Central Park (and also featured in the car chase scene in The French Connection); and a glossary of words (mostly Italian) commonly used at the time. AUTHOR WEBSITE BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW With My Two Hands by Lewis M. Elia Based on the true story of Frank Masullo, who fought during Mussolini’s reign, was interned by the Germans, immigrated to America, and built a successful business.

A Beautiful Woman in Venice by Kathleen Ann González A collection of biographies about remarkable Venetian women who overcame obstacles and used their talents to improve life in their communities. A Camp Without Walls by Dr. Maria Lombardo The true story of Salvatore Lombardo, who joined the Italian army during World War II, was captured by the Nazis, and imprisoned in a labor camp. Maria Lombardo writes about her father’s survival after his release and the affect his imprisonment had on his life and the lives of subsequent generations of his family. AUTHOR WEBSITE AUTHOR INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Casada, A History of an Italian Village and Its People by Anna Comis and Isabel Comis Degenaars Connected by a shared lineage and a cherished affection for their homeland, but separated by time and culture, two cousins write about their villages – one nestled in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy and the other in the coal mines of western Pennsylvania. Christopher Columbus The Hero by Rafael With documented facts and resources, this well-researched book examines the assertions against Columbus and offers a specific response to each claim. Coal War in the Mahoning Valley by Joe Tucciarone and Ben Lariccia As the country and the economy grew during the Industrial Revolution, immigrants became a useful source of labor, and in many cases, not to their benefit. This detailed history of an 1873 coal miners’ strike in Northeast Ohio focuses on the Italian immigrants brought in – among deception and prejudices – to work the mines, and how they eventually established a vibrant Italian American community. AUTHORS INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Con Amore by Janice Therese Mancuso A modern day romance combining a bit of suspense, interwoven with the history of Italy, the foods of each region, maps of Italy, and 37 recipes, most developed especially for the book. Fallen Heroes Forgotten Victims by Ernesto Carbonelli A tribute to the memory of the people of Patrica, Sgurgola, Morolo and Supino, for the horrendous suffering inflicted upon them following the Italian Armistice. Famous Italians You Probably Never Heard Of by Peter V. Tafuri Written in chronological order, starting with the ancient Greek colonies in Italy and ending in the twentieth century, the author provides accounts of various “superstars in the Italian galaxy” – its people, places, and culture. The Heart of the Family by Phylis Cancilla Martinelli, PhD. Woven through accounts of the social history of mining camps of the American West, true stories describe the lives of northern Italian women who migrated to these mining communities. The Italian Achievement: An A to Z of Over 1000 "Firsts" Achieved by Italians by Arturo Barone The fourth edition – originally published as Italians First – provides a list of Italian accomplishments affecting every aspect of life and several chapters on the history of Italy and its people. Italian-American Fusion by John C. Liburdi Filled with interesting facts about the strong and beneficial Italian influence on the character of America. Italians Swindled to New York: False Promises at the Dawn of Immigration by Joe Tucciarone and Ben Lariccia The 1861 Unification of Italy launched a new European country promising to fulfill the dreams of millions of Italians. As the young Kingdom of Italy modernized, it ended feudalism, a move that opened many opportunities. But a large sector of poor peasants found themselves cutoff from the changed order and desperate to survive. In 1872, an army of speculators invaded the countryside, hawking steamship tickets and promising fabulous riches in the Americas. Propelled to New York through fraud, these arrivals were the first rumblings of Italian mass immigration. AUTHORS INTERVIEW BOOK REVIEW Little Italy by Dr. Emelise Aleandri A pictorial history takes a look at the New York neighborhoods that housed and served newly arriving Italian immigrants during the 1800s. Out of Rushmore’s Shadow - The Luigi Del Bianco Story by Lou Del Bianco The incredible story of Luigi Del Bianco, the chief carver of Mount Rushmore, told by his namesake and grandson, Lou Del Bianco. Filled with historic documents and photographs, and family memorabilia, the book chronicles three stories – the carving of Mount Rushmore, the life of Luigi Del Bianco, and Lou’s quest to have his grandfather recognized as the chief carver of Mount Rushmore. LUIGI DEL BIANCO WEBSITE BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW Streets of the Near West Side by William S. Bike Tales of the individuals and events for which the thoroughfares of one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Chicago are named. The Fabulous Fior: Over 100 Years in An Italian Kitchen by Francine Brevetti A history of Fior d’Italia Restaurant (with recipes) and San Francisco’s Little Italy in North Beach, told through family and staff recollections. The Winds of Time: An Analytical Study of the Titans Who Shaped Western Civilization by Rich DiSilvio A modern perspective of the political, religious, and influential people that shaped the course of history for Western civilization. With Tears and Laughter: An Immigrant Voyage by John C. Alessio The unification of Italy in 1861 led to a mass migration of Southern Italians to America from the late-nineteenth to the early-twentieth century. It affected millions of Southern Italians who migrated west for a better life, but found living conditions radically different from their home country. With history as a background, follow the journey of Lorenzo Adamani that begins in a small village in Calabria and moves back and forth between Italy and America. AUTHOR WEBSITE BOOK REVIEW AUTHOR INTERVIEW ITALIAN VERSION

Baseball Italian Style by Lawrence Baldassaro A collection of personal accounts told by Italian American major league baseball players, coaches, umpires and others from 1930 to today. Being Brothers by Mike DeLucia A screenplay forms a novel about two estranged brothers, and takes the reader on a journey exploring family, friendships, life lessons, and the profound impact of the past. Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball by Lawrence Baldassaro The history of how Italian immigrants became Italian Americans combined with the popularity of America’s favorite pastime told through “players, coaches, managers, and executives” of Italian heritage. Born for the Game by Mike DeLucia A group of unlikely characters participate in a brilliant, yet unorthodox plan of creating an elite athlete under a veil of secrecy and pretense. First and Ten: Pro Football Players Born in Italy by Fausto Batella The biographies of “13 young Italians” who played “with the pros of the National Football League” from the early 1920s to the 1970s. The Forgotten 1970 Chicago Cubs by William S. Bike After holding first place in the National League Eastern Division from Opening Day and anticipating playing in the 1969 World Series, the Cubs eight-game losing streak caused a topple in the team’s standing. Determined to “win in ’70,” the mid-season purchase of “bad boy” Joe Pepitone brought enthusiasm from his fellow teammates and from Cubs’ fans. This tribute to the 1970 Cubs includes highlights from Pepitone’s time playing as part of the team. Gridiron Gladiators: Italian-Americans in College, Semipro & Pro Football by Fausto Batella From 1920 to 1949, hundreds of Italian-Americans athletes played college, semipro and pro football; a tribute to two generations of Italian Americans who left their mark as football players. Heart of the Hide by Lou Petrucci Nicky loves baseball and dreams of reaching the big leagues; join him and his team, the Kelsey Avenue Crew, for a series of wild events that teach him about the power of truth. Madness by Mike DeLucia An historical fiction novel based on the life of basketball's first superstar Hank Luisetti, detailing the unprecedented changes he made to the game. Tony Lazzeri: Yankees Legend and Baseball Pioneer by Lawrence Baldassaro A key member of the New York Yankees’ legendary Murderers’ Row lineup between 1926 and 1937, Tony Lazzeri – the forgotten Yankee – helped the team win six American League pennants and five World Series titles; and was one of the most respected players of his time.

Books by Category

TITLES