La Merica

by Michael La Sorte

Uses diaries, letters, selections from autobiographies, and statistical documents to describe the experiences of Italian immigrants in the United States prior to World War I, and explains how they adapted to their new lives

Genres: Nonfiction

249 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1985

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up from a history of Italy book, this one gives excerpts of diaries and letters from Italian immigrants to the US. I recommend.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource providing an inside look at life for Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century, using both historical details and first hand accounts. Offers insights most history books don't such as the immigrants' idioms and what the Italians who either chose to go back to Italy or had relatives who left thought about the experience. Highly recommended.

[Jonny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much lays out all "la miseria" of immigration. Again, we need to learn by history--it's rarely been a bed of roses, people!