Italian American Press
Founded in 2001 Italian and Italian American Authors
Italian and Italian American Books
OUR BOOKS
Royanna: An
Extraterrestrial Affair
by Raphael Ferraro
Mystery, adventure,
and a touch of romance
in this science fiction
tale about an
encounter between a
human and an alien.
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 recipes.
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“ an extraordinary sci-fi adventure depicting an affair between a male human and a female humanoid
from another star system.”
“Dr. Stephen Drago a college professor and aficionado of science fiction; and Royanna Anton, an
attractive extraterrestrial whose mission on our planet is of cosmic importance.”
Royanna: An Extraterrestrial Affair
What inspired you to write your book?
Some
years
ago,
on
a
pilgrimage
to
Medjugorje
[in
Bosnia-Herzegovina]
to
pay
homage
to
the
Blessed
Mother,
I
had
a
moving
religious
experience;
and
later
an
inspiring
dream
resulted
in
my
writing
a
book
about
a
child’s
spiritual
journey
through
mystical
messages
and
unique
visions.
I
wanted
the
book
to
reach
a
wider
audience,
not
just
those
interested in religious themes.
For
many
years,
I've
been
fascinated
by
UFOs
and
ETI
(extraterrestrial
intelligence).
It
all
began
with
comic
books.
As
a
teenager,
I
sent
newspaper
clippings
about
UFOs
to
an
agency
in
Washington
DC.
I
went
to
lectures
and
joined
local
groups
that
discussed
UFOs
and
ETI.
I
gave
talks
on
these
subjects
to
high
school
students,
conducted
a
summer
workshop
on
the
subjects
for
gifted
children,
interviewed
for
radio
and
television,
conducted
lectures
and
workshops
in
local
colleges.
Over
the
years,
I
have
collected
an
impressive
library
of
materials
and
books
on
the
subjects of UFOs and alien encounters.
With
my
interest
in
science
fiction
and
knowledge
of
both
mythology
and
extraterrestrial
phenomena
–
or
as
some
use the term “extraterrestrial hypothesis” – the plot of
Royanna
was created.
What is the most important attribute of your book?
Royanna
was
written
before
the
current
public
backlash
to
the
treatment
of
suppressing
women
in
many
aspects
of
their
lives.
Exploring
the
concept
of
the
divine
feminine
–
a
combination
of
cooperation,
intuition,
kindness,
understanding, and creativity – is the most important attribute of my novella.
Why should someone read it?
Readers
interested
in
learning
more
about
the
influence
of
women
in
past
civilizations,
a
Mother
God,
and
wanting
to
experience an out-of-this world adventure about a human and an alien from another star system will enjoy my book.
To
quote
Royanna,
“The
Great
Mother
has
many
faces.
She
is
known
by
many
names
in
the
various
cultures
on
this
planet
and
on
other
worlds
throughout
the
universe.
On
this
planet,
man
suppressed
the
teachings
of
the
Great
Mother,
but
knowledge
about
her
will
be
restored.
Signs
of
it
are
everywhere
–
the
increased
visions
of
the
Blessed
Mother,
ecclesiastical
pronouncements
exalting
the
role
of
Mary,
recent
theological
explorations
of
a
creatrix,
and
the
expanding
role
of
women
in
positions
of
leadership
and
power
throughout
the
world.
The
present
demeaning
treatment
and
disrespect
for
women
on
your
planet
is
deplorable.
Should
it
continue
into
the
future,
the
human
race
may
strive
or
destroy
itself,
but
it
will
never
evolve
into
a
kinder,
compassionate,
and
more
loving
species
until
humans incorporate and practice the qualities inherent in the divine feminine.”
Author Interview: Raphael Ferraro
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.
Out of Rushmore’s Shadow - The Luigi Del Bianco Story
What inspired you to write your book?
One
of
the
two
historians,
Tim
Good,
told
me
I
“have
to
write
a
book
to
set
the
record
straight.”
He
said
"this
story
has
never
been
told
before
and
needs
to
be
told,”
using
the
primary
source
documents
as
a
vital
thread.
That
is
when
I
realized,
as
a
storyteller,
this
was
the
story
I
was
meant
to
tell.
This
is
where
my
30
year
career
has led me: telling my grandpa’s story.
What is the most important attribute of your book?
That
history
does
not
always
tell
you
the
full
story.
Sometimes
you
have
to
do
the
work
and
find
the
truth
yourself.
When
you
are
able
to
change
the
historical
record
for
a
loved
one,
it
is
that
much
more
special!
Also,
I
hope
it
is
not
lost
on
the
reader
that
I
am
very
proud
of
my
Italian
heritage
and
that
I
see
my
grandfather
as
a
very positive role model for our community. Forget the Sopranos. It’s time for Luigi!
Why should someone read it?
•
If you love an underdog story with a happy ending, you’ll love this book
•
If
you
want
to
read
about
the
roller
coaster
ride
dealing
with
government
bureaucracy,
you’ll
feel
like
you
are reading a political thriller.
•
If you want to be touched by a grandson’s love for his ancestor and his legacy, buy a copy.
•
If you want to learn a new story in our American History, this book is for you!
What were some of the obstacles you encountered? Were you ever discouraged?
The
staff
at
Mount
Rushmore
was
the
major
obstacle.
Their
narrative
that
400
workers
be
credited
as
a
group
was
threatened
by
my
grandfather’s
singular
role.
As
a
result,
they
chose
to
ignore
irrefutable
evidence
of
his
importance from the library of Congress. I was discouraged many times.
What prompted you to continue working for your grandfather’s legacy?
The
fact
that
I
had
the
truth
on
my
side
kept
me
going!
I
am
also
very
proud
of
my
Italian
heritage
and
always
saw my grandfather as a very positive and uplifting representative for our community.
The
National
Park
Service
acknowledged
your
grandfather’s
work
and
honored
him
with
a
plaque.
How long did the entire process take, from first starting your research to the plaque ceremony?
My
uncle
and
I
started
our
research
in
1987.
The
plaque
was
finally
awarded
in
2017.
That
amounts
to
30
years.
Wow.
Author Interview: Lou Del Bianco
Book Review at La Gazzetta Italiana
Out of Rushmore’s Shadow - The Luigi Del Bianco Story
The faces on Mount Rushmore, an American icon, were brought to life by the hands of an Italian immigrant. Luigi Del Bianco, a
native of the northeastern region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, was the “chief carver” and “granite expert” for the massive
monument.
Out of Rushmore’s Shadow written by Luigi Del Bianco’s grandson Lou Del Bianco, chronicles Luigi’s life and work, presents a
behind-the-scenes look at the carving of Mount Rushmore, and gives an account of the path Lou followed to have his grandfather
recognized as the chief carver of Mount Rushmore.
When Lou was a child, he found a brochure about Mount Rushmore and learned that his grandfather had been the chief carver of
the memorial. He gives a class presentation, but cannot find a mention or picture of his grandfather in the brochure. Fifteen
years later, “the most definite book on Mount Rushmore was published,” but Luigi is not mentioned. Luigi’s son Caesar is upset,
Lou’s curiosity is “reawakened;” and together they vow “to find Luigi once and for all.”
Through the years, Caesar had collected several books and had documents noting that Luigi was the chief carver, hired by
Gutzon Borglum – the sculptor who designed Mount Rushmore. The information Lou and Caesar had was limited, but enough for
them to start their “own investigative research.” It begins with a visit to Mount Rushmore where Lou learns about The Borglum
Papers housed at the Library of Congress. Subsequent visits with Caesar to Washington D.C. produced numerous memos, letters,
and work logs that document Luigi’s importance in the carving of Mount Rushmore.
Luigi Del Bianco was introduced to Gutzon Borglum in 1920. He worked with Borglum on the Wars of America sculpture in
Newark, New Jersey and briefly on the bas-relief sculpture on Stone Mountain, Georgia. Borglum left the Stone Mountain project
before it was completed and later began work on Mount Rushmore. During this time, Luigi settled in Port Chester, New York and
established a memorial stone-carving business.
In 1933, Borglum had a letter sent to Luigi asking him to travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota to work on the faces of the
Mount Rushmore monument. Luigi drove the 1,800 miles and lived in Keystone, the town closest to the monument. His job was
“Chief Carver, in charge of all Close Drilling and Carving.” After two years in Keystone, Luigi sent for his wife and three sons.
They stayed one year, and Lou provides numerous recollections from his father about living in the Black Hills.
Lou also includes a primer on carving the “giant faces,” detailing the five-step process of pointing, blasting, drilling,
honeycombing, and finishing. He writes “it took 14 years to complete Mount Rushmore … the money problems, working around
bad granite, the lack of trained men and supposed political corruption all must have contributed to the dragging out of the
project.”
In February of 1941, Gutzon Borglum died, leaving the supervision of Mount Rushmore to his son, Lincoln. “Difficulties with
pegmatite stone, World War II, and certainly the passing of Gutzon Borglum contributed to a major slowdown of the work. On
October 31, 1941, the last scaffold was removed and the last drill put away. Mount Rushmore was considered officially finished.”
Luigi went back to carving on a smaller scale.
Lou writes about the telephone calls, meetings, letters, and other correspondence with the National Park Service – 30 years of
communications in his goal to have his grandfather recognized for his work as Chief Carver. On September 16, 2017, he attended
the ceremony at Mount Rushmore National Park honoring Luigi Del Bianco with a plaque. The Park Service’s website notes, “As
Chief Carver, Luigi Del Bianco was trusted by Gutzon Borglum to oversee some of the most challenging and expressive aspects of
the sculpture, such as Jefferson's lips and Lincoln's eyes.”
Out of Rushmore’s Shadow is a fascinating look into an Italian immigrant’s life, the history of an American monument, and how
they intertwined. The book includes copies of documents from the Library of Congress and many historic photos from the Del
Bianco Family Collection.
Suggested Roles
Dr. Stephen Drago
Jon Bon Jovi
Royanna Anton
Lady Gaga
COULD THIS BE LADY GAGA’S OSCAR- WINNING ROLE?