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La bell'America: From La Rivoluzione to the Great Depression: An Italian Immigrant Family Remembered
"This is a delightful, passionate and memorable rendition of a familiar and glorious tale. As the son of immigrants who were very much like Anthony Graziano's family, I was especially moved. Thank you for telling our story."—Governor Mario M. Cuomo
“This kind of historical data is rare today. . . . A tapestry of history, biography, personal reminiscence, and lessons.”—Michael Giallombardo, director/producer of La Terra Promessa
“A sweeping narrative of European and American history, and a lovingly crafted reminiscence. Graziano is an excellent storyteller. There is something in this book for everyone, not least of which is a very good read.”—Joan M. Crouse, author of The Homeless Transient in the Great Depression
“Writing in the tradition of C. Wright Mills, who defined [sociology] as the intersection between history and biography . . . this book clarifies the tremendous emigration from Italy. A very enjoyable read, suitable for general readers and students of history and sociology.”—Adeline Levine, author of Love Canal: Science, Politics, and People
A picture of Europe’s nineteenth century and the massive Italian immigration to America: wars and conflicts, popes and kings fighting the people’s demands for democratic government. When religion and royalty failed them, leaders created dictatorships and threw the world into bloody conflicts, killing hundreds of millions and virtually destroying Europe. Caught up were the poverty stricken, powerless common people who became the immigrants, pushed from Europe, pulled to America. Their history comes alive in the author’s deeply personal account of his family’s immigration and survival through the Great Depression.
Anthony M. Graziano, SUNY Buffalo professor emeritus and Italian chef, has written fifteen books and fifty articles in the field of psychology. His brother, parents, and extended family emigrated from Italy. He says, “This book is a celebration of immigrants. It speaks to us because we are all immigrants.”
“This kind of historical data is rare today. . . . A tapestry of history, biography, personal reminiscence, and lessons.”—Michael Giallombardo, director/producer of La Terra Promessa
“A sweeping narrative of European and American history, and a lovingly crafted reminiscence. Graziano is an excellent storyteller. There is something in this book for everyone, not least of which is a very good read.”—Joan M. Crouse, author of The Homeless Transient in the Great Depression
“Writing in the tradition of C. Wright Mills, who defined [sociology] as the intersection between history and biography . . . this book clarifies the tremendous emigration from Italy. A very enjoyable read, suitable for general readers and students of history and sociology.”—Adeline Levine, author of Love Canal: Science, Politics, and People
A picture of Europe’s nineteenth century and the massive Italian immigration to America: wars and conflicts, popes and kings fighting the people’s demands for democratic government. When religion and royalty failed them, leaders created dictatorships and threw the world into bloody conflicts, killing hundreds of millions and virtually destroying Europe. Caught up were the poverty stricken, powerless common people who became the immigrants, pushed from Europe, pulled to America. Their history comes alive in the author’s deeply personal account of his family’s immigration and survival through the Great Depression.
Anthony M. Graziano, SUNY Buffalo professor emeritus and Italian chef, has written fifteen books and fifty articles in the field of psychology. His brother, parents, and extended family emigrated from Italy. He says, “This book is a celebration of immigrants. It speaks to us because we are all immigrants.”
532 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 17, 2018
The epic story of the mass migration from the poverty of Southern Italy at the beginning of the 20th Century to the promise of America. My name was D'Ambrosio before a clerk at Ellis Island changed it in 1920. This volume tells my own family's story as well as any I have ever read. It was almost as if I could hear my father again saying the words as I read them. For that I will always be indebted to Anthony Graziano. Bene, molto bene, paisano.
January 11, 2010
‘In that bottle of ink, I thought, was stored all of the words to tell of our family.’
From life in rural southern Italy to settlement in America, Mr Graziano tells the story of his family: a group of southern Italians who came to the USA in the 1920s and settled in the small town of Nyack, just north of New York City.
This narrative brings together European and American history, and the reminiscences of the Dattilo and Graziano families. The process of emigration, for many of Mr Graziano’s family was an incremental, iterative process. Some came first as temporary workers, returning to Italy when they could and seeing their attachment to America as temporary. Others, recognising that La bell’America offered opportunities unknown at home, made the difficult choice to migrate permanently.
This book is a delightful blend of history, memoir and experiences of migration. It describes the realities of life in rural southern Italy: the strength of family ties and the barriers of politics, social standing and lack of opportunity. It also describes the challenges faced in America: poverty, prejudice and the Great Depression.
‘There is no past; all is present; whatever was lived, is lived.’
I enjoyed this book very much.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
From life in rural southern Italy to settlement in America, Mr Graziano tells the story of his family: a group of southern Italians who came to the USA in the 1920s and settled in the small town of Nyack, just north of New York City.
This narrative brings together European and American history, and the reminiscences of the Dattilo and Graziano families. The process of emigration, for many of Mr Graziano’s family was an incremental, iterative process. Some came first as temporary workers, returning to Italy when they could and seeing their attachment to America as temporary. Others, recognising that La bell’America offered opportunities unknown at home, made the difficult choice to migrate permanently.
This book is a delightful blend of history, memoir and experiences of migration. It describes the realities of life in rural southern Italy: the strength of family ties and the barriers of politics, social standing and lack of opportunity. It also describes the challenges faced in America: poverty, prejudice and the Great Depression.
‘There is no past; all is present; whatever was lived, is lived.’
I enjoyed this book very much.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews