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LITERATURE BY ITALIAN AMERICANS AND OTHER ITALIANS AS  WELL AS 
BOOKS ABOUT ITALY. THE MAJORITY OF THESE TEXTS ARE AMONG THE 
FINEST SELF-PUBLISHED ITALIAN AMERICAN
 BOOKS ON THE INTERNET.


Books Arranged in Alphabetical Order (239 titles). Click Titles for Information Concerning Authors, Prices, and Orders.

BROWSE IA BOOKS BY CATEGORY

Adrianna's Eyes and Other Stories by A.S. Maulucci

Twelve stories of love, family, and the search for identity set in New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, Boston, Montreal, and the Canadian Rockies. Each story tells an unvarnished truth about the human condition. The memorable characters are lovers, cynics, seekers, romantics and sinners. Some poignant portrayals of the Italian American experience. Half of them have been published in literary magazines.  

Other books by Maulucci include Dear Dante, A Doctor's Visit, The Rosselli Cantata. and The Discovery of Luminous Being.

Angels without Wings by Giovanni Michienzi

This non-fiction book was written with the purpose of giving a message to all readers—of hope—having the certainty that life does not end with the death of the material body, but continues in a world where we will be rich in joy and happiness. It is enough to have great faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him, having no doubts

The Angels, these very beautiful creatures of God, are near all of us and ready to help us in all situations of danger to sustain and drive us. The Angels can present themselves under any semblance, but they are often not recognized, because they are appear as normal people without wings.

The content of this fascinating book is divided into two sections: Part I: Rescues, Meetings, and Aids and Part II: Stories of Paranormal Events.

An American Journey-Our Italian Heritage Volumes I & II,  Editor Lynne M. Stagnitti Ahnert 

Stories written by Italian immigrants and their families, that will make you both laugh and cry! The combined volumes include over 475 pages of statistics, wonderful photographs of immigrant families and their friends, as well as interesting history and photos of by-gone days in the Canastota – Oneida area of Central New York State. Also included are articles on the life-styles, customs and traditions of Italian immigrants and their siblings. These books have proved invaluable towards preserving a segment of history in this geographical area and have inspired displays relating to their content in local libraries and museums. Some of the material has been used by the NYS Archive Magazine and by the Department of Education at Oregon University. The photos, stories and historical information were compiled and published by the American Italian Association of the Canastota-Oneida area. Both Volumes are registered with the Library of Congress as non-dramatic works.
Art of the Monologue: 52 Monologues They Haven't Heard Yet by Frank Catalano 
 
This unique collection of original monologues classified by Age, Gender and Genre is a useful resource for acting students with its wide selection of fresh audition material. In addition, the monologues can be performed collectively as an ensemble piece. The book’s author, Frank Catalano, states: “I wanted to create a book that could be used in the classroom for specific acting goals, as a source of auditions and equally as a source of performance material for students. Most acting students hate to perform monologues; this book will give them new insight about how to create distinctive choices, have a more meaningful creation of their characters, and ultimately communicate those choices to an audience more effectively.”
At the Hearth of the Devil's Laird by Luigi Monteferrante

Canada’s greatest unknown composer, Maddalo McCannuck makes his living by digging holes in the ground at the archaeological site of the Devil’s Lair, in Italy. After twenty years of passionate studies, Mad McCannuck finds himself alone, his wife gone, no friends, thousands of old records and a handful of debris. Until one day, the unexpected happens. A daughter born of his one great love, a college girl whose existence was a secret, comes looking for her dad. McCannuck is not himself. Is he prepared to dig up the past? Can he reveal himself, show her what he really is: a mad composer, an idealist, a loner, a loser? Must he become the enchanting story-teller of the devil’s lair? While piecing together the scattered fragments of a mosaic, his past, McCannuck struggles to find his greatest treasure: a family, a home...
Alzheimer's Disease by Virginia Violante Malachowski

This informative text was written to enlighten the public and dispel the many myths associated with this serious disorder.   The author's experience as a caregiver to her mother during the time of her affliction with this devastating disease is both informative and inspirational.  The book  provides the reader with a wealth of information and answers to key questions for anyone caring for those afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Bad Times Good People by Walter Wolff

Walter Wolff tells the neglected story of how the Italian people courageously expressed their basic humanity and goodness despite the Nazi opposition. Walter's youthful innocence died during the rioting of Kristallnacht. After an unlikely release from Dachau, his family fled to Italy.  There he survived time and again because of the willingness of strangers to risk their lives on his behalf. Now living in New York, Walter is much sought after lecturer on the Holocaust.  His survival in Italy taught him what is his closing refrain after every speech.  " You should love thy neighbor as thyself." Through all his travels Mr. Wolff kept a remarkable collection of photographs and official documents which give his narrative  a chilling sense of reality.
 Baltimore's Own Little Italy Artist by Tony DeSales

"From Baltimore's Own Little Italy Artist - The Artwork of Tony DeSales, one gets a sense of the special character of communities and neighborhoods in and around Baltimore -- Little Italy, Fells Point, Annapolis, Washington, D.C. The drawings, accompanied by rich historical text, depict the special architecture of neighborhoods, houses, churches, and a variety of institutions, as well as life on the water. The book serves as a valuable resource to anyone wanting to gain a full appreciation of life in Baltimore and its surrounding areas."

--Freeman Hrabowski, President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County--
Barinelli's War by Gene Basilici

In this military thriller, the fate of twenty thousand Americans depends on a single company of GIs led by a teenager during the Korean War.
 
The Korean War rages in Southeast Asia. Every night the North Koreans hurl themselves against the outnumbered Americans who hold the Pusan Perimeter, and every night the overextended defenders are thinned even more. A quarter-million Chinese secretly infiltrate the mountain passes and surround the Americans with orders to annihilate them all. The only escape route is along a narrow road past the Chosin Reservoir through the Funchilin Pass to Hungnam and safety. The Funchilin must be held. But when Barinelli’s company commander suddenly disappears, the survival of over twenty thousand men falls on him.

With fewer than two hundred men under his command, Barinelli faces the pressures of leadership in battle. More importantly, he learns of faithlessness and heroism and the inner gauntlet each soldier must pass through to survive.

Hunting With Tigers is another of the author's fascinating military stories.  This realistic and fast-paced Vietnam War novel is available through Diesel  e Books.

Between Courses: A Culinary Love Story by Karla Clark

Karla Clark’s delicious first novel takes on the enduring themes of family, food and love. Filled with dozens of rustic Italian recipes, this funny and touching love story offers a peek into the lives of a spirited Italian-American family of “foodies.” Sabina Giovanotti, waitress by day and aunt extraordinaire by night, is forty, single, and still living above her family’s folksy café in Chicago’s Little Italy. Sandwiched between four sisters, all happily married with children, and her mother and aunt, both cooks at the café, Sabina is trying to come to terms with the fact that her life didn’t turn out as planned. She was supposed to marry her childhood sweetheart Vito Salina and run her family’s café with him. But a tragic accident ripped Vito from her life...one week before the wedding...leaving Sabina stuck in neutral, waiting for the next course of her life. Eighteen years later, it’s brash, red-headed Aunt Lina who propels Sabina into overdrive and helps her to discover all the wonderful life there is between appetizers and dessert.

Pull up a stool, tuck in your napkin, and enjoy a delicious treat.

Between Troy & Florence by Frank Salvidio

This inspiring text consists of original poems and translations, spanning from Homer to Dante. As the title is meant to suggest, the poems embody variations on classical themes which run as continuous threads throughout the fabric of Western culture—with roots extending back into ancient Egypt.  Included in this selection is an extended dramatic poem,“The Death of Achilleus,” on the Homeric figure; brief lyrics modeled after Sappho on erotic themes; “A Litany” based on the Egyptian myths of Isis and Osiris; and translations from Dante (drawn from La Vita Nuova, the Commedia and various love poems) and St. Francis of Assisi (The Canticle of the sun”)—the culmination of spiritual vision.

 To obtain more information or to purchase this book or other publications translated by Mr. Salvidio (Dante: Inferno, The Vita Nuova of Dante Alighieri, and "Sappho Says..." Poems and Fragments of Sappho of Lesbos, please e-mail the author at onthelock@surfglobal.net.

Beyond Bagheria by E. P. Vallone

Beyond Bagheria, a fascinating narrative selected from the Sons of Italy National Book Club, has garnered rave reviews. “Visual, dramatic, riveting, suspenseful..." are only some of the many commentary remarks readers have made about E. P. Vallone’s first work of historical fiction  depicting the brutal and heartless lynching of innocent Italian American immigrants in New Orleans.

In 1918, the Spanish Flu wreaks havoc on the life of a Sicilian girl. Orphaned in Bagheria, Sicily, with few prospects for a bright future, Isabella Zanni accepts an offer of marriage that takes her first to New Jersey and then to New Orleans. She is barely settled in New Orleans when she and her family are caught in a conspiracy that is a vortex of greed, power, and prejudice. In the end, after much heartache and suffering, the immigrant Isabella learns her dreams are very much different from the reality of life in America.

Beyond The Tether by Bruno G. Botti

"Fourth dimensional powers and magical bonding unite Alpha George Staves and his husky, Tasha—their adventures will leave you on the edge of your seat as you are left to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. Bruno G. Botti provides new and compelling insights into one of God's most beloved and faithful creations. Beyond the Tether will leave a lasting imprint in your heart; it is a riveting, sometimes heart-breaking, reminder of the bond between man and his dog."

Blood on the Street by Charles Gasparino 

A riveting account of the Wall Street scam in which ordinary investors lost literally billions of dollars -- in many cases their life savings -- in one of the greatest deceptions ever, by the crack reporter who broke the original story. This fast-paced narrative is the definitive book on the financial debacle that affected millions of Americans.

Drawing on his research and interviews with industry insiders, Gasparino takes readers into the back rooms of Wall Street's top investment firms and captures the outsize personalities of three key players: Salomon Smith Barney's Jack Grubman, a braggart with one of the largest salaries on Wall Street; Merrill Lynch's Henry Blodget, the Yale graduate who hyped his way to the top of the research pyramid; and Morgan Stanley's Mary Meeker, the "Queen of the Internet," who foresaw the market catastrophe but gave in to the pressures Blood on the Street shows how regulators, like former SEC chairman Arthur Levitt, allowed the deceptive practices to fester and grow during the 1990s bubble, leaving the door open for a then- little-known attorney general from New York State to step in and make his mark by holding Wall Street accountable.

Gasparino's book provides readers with the first major account of Spitzer's rise to prominence, detailing how the attorney general pursued key players to build his case against Wall Street, including his shifting allegiance to the powerful New York Stock Exchange chairman Richard Grasso.

Bocce A Sport For Everyone by Rico C. Daniele

Within the pages of this book you will find a history of Bocce,  both ancient and modern. The construction of a court and the right equipment required is discussed as well as numerous tips for playing and excelling at the sport. Official rules and regulations for everyday and championship play are included. This book is a valuable reference guide to resources in the United States and foreign countries for the sport of Bocce. The volume concludes with a photo section and miscellaneous treats from the author.

Born to Create by Dr. Rosalie H. Contino

Born to Create is an inspirational autobiography chronicling Dr. Rosalie H. Contino's professional transition from successful seventh-grade English teacher to a newfound career in the arts. While most forty-year-old professionals are busy building upon the foundation that several years of hard work produced, Contino made the bold decision to quench the burning desire within to pursue the passion to create. Enjoying her creative careers as a costume designer, costume historian, playwright, and lecturer, Contino provides hope and a blueprint for those considering making the foray into the unknown and sometimes scary realm of the future. Written in a comfortable, conversational manner, Born to Create maintains a swift tempo while consistently providing an inspirational message for those harboring unrealized ambitions.

Brazzà, A Life for Africa by Maria Petringa

This fascinating true-life adventure takes the reader on a journey from Papal Rome, to Belle-Epoque Paris, to French Colonial Africa.

Brazza, A Life for Africa tells the story of  Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, a European explorer, colonial governor, and human rights investigator.  He gave his life trying to expose the abuse and torture of enslaved African workers in the rubber-producing regions of Congo, Gabon, and elsewhere in equatorial Africa. From Brazza's early explorations, his diplomatic encounters with African tribal chiefs, and his studies of the daily life, flora, and fauna of central Africa, to his investigation of the torture scandals of 1905, Brazza, A Life for Africa contains numerous parallels to today's events.

Brazza, A Life for Africa is the first English-language biography of a man who lived an extraordinary life.  A nobleman, a naval cadet, an explorer, a glamorous idol to 19th-century Parisians, and a colonial governor, Brazza was also a husband, father, and friend.   By turns thrilling, romantic, and tragic, his story blends exotic adventures with all-too-human emotions and experiences.
Bread Upon the Water: Correspondence as Life history of a Sicilian Family by Arlene La Rocca Maresca
 
The letters start in 1902 and continue until 1946. Grandpa's father, Luigi, died in 1939. Grandpa's brothers continued the correspondence. These letters tell a story, which I have tried to relate. They span the Depression, World War I, chronicle a devastating earthquake in addition to the personal history of the Foti family. The central theme that comes through all these letters is one of familial love and affection. The phrasing and how Luigi expresses these feelings is truly poignant. It gives you a real picture of what type of person he was--intelligent, highly organized and methodical, yet sentimental and charitable to all. By the end of my translations I felt as if I knew him. How fortunate that my grandfather saved his letters. I hope this book gives readers some insight into a time gone by. A gentler, slower time when writing was an art and true feelings were expressed.
                        -From the Forward to Bread Upon the Water--
To obtain more information or to purchase this book e-mail the author at alarmbklyn@aol.com

Breaking Open: Reflection On Italian  American Women's Writing Edited By Mary Ann  Mannino & Justin Vitello

This book, a collection of 12 essays by Italian American women authors, includes the writings of Helen Barolini, Diane Di Prima, Rita Ciresi, Louise DeSalvo, Mary Cappello, and Carol Maso.  Each writer talks about her work and in what ways being an Italian American influenced her writing. The text contains essays by leading authors in the field of Italian American literature, well-known scholars such as Fred Gardaphe, Mary Jo Bona, Edivige Giunta and Justin Vitiello.

The Bridge of Lover’s Retreat by Louis W. Barta

Raised on the ancient Code of Chivalry, young Vincenzo Nicholetti joins the Marine Corps and fights in Viet Nam, where he soon learns that he has natural abilities for soldiering.  Accumulating numerous awards for bravery and courage, he returns home to Providence RI, but experiences restlessness and difficulty readjusting to civilian life. Relocating to rural Maine, he attempts to live a peaceful and a relaxing life style; instead he encounters ethnic discrimination and danger. A unique set of circumstances follow, steering Vincenzo into adventure, wealth, romance, and heartbreak. Dealing successfully with these challenges, he eventually returns home to Providence.

In Providence, Vincenzo’s quest to do God’s work through chivalrous deeds leads to serious consequences. Because of his actions, he becomes the sworn enemy of government agents who seek him out and try, in vain, to prosecute him. Tensions intensify. Ultimately by deceit and foul play, the FBI claims success in eliminating Vincenzo. Their devious victory, however, only serves to elevate Vincenzo to the status of a genuine hero and knight in the hearts and mind of conscientious men and women. Even some of the federal agents are deeply moved by Vincenzo’s moral fiber and dedication to justice.

The Bridge of Lover’s Retreat is a controversial and unique story, guaranteed to evoke strong emotions. The novel contains violence, military abrasive language, and some adult situations. The author recommends it for mature readers.

                                                  * * *

"The Marian Era of Peace," “The Holy Shroud of Turin,” “The Three Days of Darkness,” and "The Rise and Demise of Antichrist" are four informative religious booklets available through the author. Those wishing to purchase or to obtain further information about Louis Barta's writings are requested to visit his website at http://members.toast.net/louisbarta.

Brier Hill, USA by Tony Trolio as told to Michael N. Varveris
Trioli’s first book was released in 2001 and sold nearly 3500 copies. Brier Hill is located on the north westside of Youngstown, a section known as “Little Italy” from 1915 to the mid 60's. At its peak in the fifties, Brier Hill was home to nearly 10,000 Italian immigrants. The area produced many businessmen, doctors, lawyers, policemen and outstanding citizens. Although not many residents reside there presently, Brier Hill was always a very close section and remains so today. Former residents keep the spirit of the Italian neighborhood alive by celebrating an annually Italian festival ( the last festival was attended by 15,000), social events, and funds raisers. Here is the intimate and nostalgic story of the people and places of Brier Hill’s “Little Italy.”

Brier Hill, USA: The Sequel by Tony Trolio and edited by Michael N. Varveris 

This sequel was released June 13th, 2004 and sold 200 copies in three days. With stories from 60 families, this nonfiction paperback is much larger than the first book and contains over 120 photos.  Read the enjoyable stories from those who lived and grew up in Brier Hill, the first Italian immigrant community in the Mahoning Valley--a special place with special people.     

Bringing In The Hay by David A. Asson

A fascinating and  nostalgic history of old time hay-stacking focusing on the captivating apparatus fashioned to 'put it up loose' - i.e., the pre-hay baler days. The project took seven years of research, writing and learning. The first completion date - sometime in 2001- turned out to be the starting date.

The book is 8 ½ x 11 inches perfect bound format with 124 pages and over 300 color and B & W photos. A key feature of the book is a study of the many derricks used to stack hay and why different models were favored in various locales throughout the West. The author drove over 20,000 miles through twelve western states collecting data and shooting stunning photographs of what became seventeen ways in four major categories to stack hay.

Broken by Thomas L. Hayden

Broken does more than open your mental windows of thought, insight or reason. It can direct and deliver you beyond the doors that have been keeping you from your hopes and dreams. You are invited to join the author on a journey that is analytical, allegorical and atypical of anything you may have read before.  This book can easily become part of your future conversations as well your best friend as you observe Thomas Hayden’s exceptional traits and characteristics during his life story. Enjoy the journey.
Bucket of Blood, The Ragman's War by R. S. Sukle

“Bucket of Blood” is what a coal town was called when bloodshed occurred to establish a worker’s union. During the 1927–1928 strike in the western Pennsylvania coalfields, Russellton became known as such a place. This area employed many Italian immigrant workers.  In an effort to break the strike, special Coal and Iron Police were brought into the area to evict the mine families from their company houses. These men imposed unconstitutional restrictions to harass the people and keep out relief workers and organizers. It was a time of brutal beatings, rape, and murder. Without union representation, the workers were constantly exploited. The miner had only one weapon, the strike.

Bucket of Blood: The Ragman’s War chronicles the depravation and indignities suffered by the families in the Russellton camps during the strike. Author R.S. Sukle explores the glimmers of hope appearing through relief efforts by the sons of a local farmer who become union activists.

A Camp Without Walls  by Dr. Maria Lombardo

A Camp Without Walls describes the journey of  Salvatore Lombardo, an Italian survivor of a Nazi labor camp from World War II to the present as seen through the eyes of his daughter and author, Dr. Maria Lombardo. This coffee table book includes a personal history, historical events, an annotated bibliography, and an impressive collection of color photographs. Readers will find this unique text both inspiring and informative.

In A Camp Without Walls, the author relates how, as a grown woman, she came by chance upon some hidden letters and her father’s wartime diary. In these writings, she discovers some shocking revelations -- a secret sister in Greece and the horrors of war that had branded Salvatore’s mind and body. Slowly, Maria comes to an understanding of her father’s often prickly character, his intransigent ambitions for his children, and his constant nightmares. The book strikes a universal note, discerning the common bonds that unite all the victims and survivors of Nazi persecution, whatever the reason for their internment. The core of Salvatore’s story is that of many Holocaust survivors -- the ineluctable tragedy, the irrepressible hope, the paralysis of emotion in those who survived.

Part of the proceeds from the sales of  this book will go toward the Salvatore Lombardo Scholarship and Grant at the NIAF.

A Canticle for Bread & Stones by Emilio DeGrazia

…The art of DeGrazia’s storytelling comes at the beginning of each chapter where a leading sentence pushes the reader on, guiding the plot in a unique way to the chapter’s end. With a fine ear for the spoken word, DeGrazia weaves each chapter into a strong narrative strengthened by his understanding of the weaknesses of his most sympathetic characters

"A Canticle” reminds us that work teaches us the ways of reading the world and that each worker is a seasoned storyteller and critic of life. Full of Old World folk wisdom and New World sins, this novel makes us take a good look at ourselves through the window of Italian-American culture.

In America we say “good as gold,” but in Italy the saying is “buono come pane,” and DeGrazia’s latest work of fiction is just that, as good as honest-to-goodness homemade bread.

                                                                      --Fred L. Gardaphe--
Other excellent books either written or edited by DeGrazia include Burying the Tree, 33 Minnesota Poets, 26 Minnesota Writers, Seventeen Grams of Soul, Billy Brazil, and Enemy Country. To purchase or to obtain information on any of the titles, please contact the author at Edegrazia@winona.edu.
The Carrot and the Mule by Joseph Foti

After surviving a harrowing childhood filled with abuse and betrayal, young Roger Williams has finally made it to law school with the hopes of becoming a successful lawyer. There he battles the demons of his childhood while he attempts to protect the woman he loves. His love is Sara, a fellow law student who seems to embody purity and goodness. The trick becomes how to succeed in law school without corrupting her as well as himself. What makes this novel unique is its concentration on the consequences of making the supposed moral choice. A brief hint; choosing the moral path does not always lead to "happily ever after." Although parts of the novel deal with the darkest of human emotions, from feelings of emptiness to complete failure, the overall message is extremely uplifting. It demonstrates that no matter how far we may seem to fall as long as there is life, there is hope and a chance for redemption. In the end it is always up to the individual to choose.

Castle of Eufemio by Blaise Tobia

The book Castle of Eufemio: a small Sicilian town and its extraordinary festival, based on Calatafimi and its festival Il Santissimo Crocifisso , is now available to the public. Published by Achilles Press in association with the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia, this impressive high-quality hardcover features 39 stunning color images  with text in both English and Italian.

In the author's words, "Calatafimi is the place where all four of my grandparents were born. Several of my first cousins and their children still live there, or nearby. I have photographed Calatafimi and its surroundings numerous times since my first visit in 1989. In May, 2004, I was able to photograph its fabled 3-day town festival, which once occurred every third year but now occurs only about once per decade."

Celebrate.....Italian Style by Jacqueline Miconi

The kitchen has always occupied an important position in Italian culture. It is not only the place where cooking is done, but it's usually the center of most household activity; a place to gather and socialize, a place to bond and reminisce, and of course a place where many great chefs are born.

Celebrate....Italian Style, is a collection of recipes and stories about Italian life. With amusing selections, such as "An Italian Wedding", "Neighborhood Watchdogs", "Gramma's Other Half" and "An Italian Christmas and the Tale of the Fishes", this cookbook brings us back to simpler times of tradition and heritage and how friends and family unite through food.

This "Coffee Table" cookbook includes 100+ traditional recipes, using readily available ingredients for dishes that are not only easy to create, but even more enjoyable to indulge in. This unique cookbook is divided into 10 different chapters, discussing the celebrations that make up our lives. Through chapters like "Sunday Dinner", "An Italian Christmas", "Old Country Cooking" and "A Feast with your Paisani", this cookbook offers up some excellent recipe selections, while sharing stories from the author's rich heritage.

It is these celebrations that unite us, and it is the food at these occasions that tie us together, creating memories that can last a lifetime.

 
Change Your Mind, Change Your Weight  by Raeleen D'Agostino Mautner

Rather than promoting a specific diet or exercise plan, Change Your Mind, Change Your Weight focuses on  the key to lasting weight loss: rational optimism. Approaching life's challenges with a positive frame of mind correlates with better health, longevity, and a greater likelihood of achieving one's goals. In this book, the author presents real-life examples, exercises, and self-quizzes to help the reader achieve a positive, more realistic state of mind. Drawing on cognitive-behavioral psychology, Raeleen Mautner helps readers regain control of their emotions —and their weight.
Child of Wonder  (Free) by Raphael Ferraro

An inspiring novel about Lorenzo Malcini, a poor Italian boy, whose odd appearance, abusive parents, and unfortunate circumstances of birth mark him as an object of ridicule and scorn, creating an unhappy and lonely existence for him. The setting of this inspiring novel is Italy's picturesque Calabria and Sicily. Child of Wonder offers the reader an in-depth and heartfelt look at the hardships and difficulties of Lorenzo's spiritual journey, one riddled with mystical messages and unique visions. In the end, Lorenzo's enduring faith and prayerful life help to transform him, take him beyond himself and his struggle to experience self-acceptance, understanding, and love.

As the war rages all around them, the villagers at the farmhouse overcome petty differences, face betrayal by one of them, fearlessly take in an escaped POW, and survive a raid by the SS. In the course of this, a girl finds love, two boys become heroes, and secrets are revealed. Then an unthinkable, horrific event changes all of the villagers forever. Not all of them will return to their devastated homes. Read more about this gripping story of courage, endurance and the power of the human spirit in the cruelest of times.
Close to the Edge by Vic Fortezza

So many troubled people, yet so few become a danger to society. What makes one cross the line? Can it be quantified. In Part One the protagonists, two men and a woman in their mid to late 20s, are profiled separately down to darkest thoughts. In Part Two fate brings them together! Set in an Italian-American community in Brooklyn, 1978.Crime and Punishment with sexuality as its core. Raskolnikov was sexless. These three are not.

Closet Italians: A Dazzling Collection of Illustrious Italians with Non-Italian Names  by Nick James Mileti

There are many reasons why people with Italian blood have Non-Italian Names. But, that shouldn't be an excuse for not recognizing their true ethnic background. As Daniel Webster said over 150 years ago, "The dignity of history consists in reciting events with truth and accuracy, and in presenting their actions in an interesting and instructive form.  The first element in history, therefore, is truthfulness, and this truthfulness must be displayed in a concrete form." Otherwise, history has no meaning, and can even be destructive. The book traces the last 2,000 years of history   through the lives of 175 illustrious individuals on 358 pages. Writer and scholar Erik Amfitheatr, an illustrious Italian with a non-Italian name, made this additional point, "The aim of any social history is to instruct as well as entertain." Closet Italians delivers on this lofty goal.

Con Amore by Bea Tusiani

Best-selling author Adriana Trigiani  calls Bea Tusiani's Con Amore "a sparkling memoir about life of an Italian girl who becomes a wife in the enchanted village of Brooklyn. The reader will find much to celebrate in this beautifully told tale."
Yearning for acceptance from her Italian-speaking mother-in-law, Bea Tusiani's stories offer a glimpse into the struggle of generations. From Bushwick, Brooklyn in the 1950s to her mother-in-law's kitchen in the Bronx, Tusiani shows how two women who loved the same man -- one as a mother, the other a wife -- came to an understanding . . . con amore . . . with love.

Con Amore by Janice Therese Mancuso

Janine Fiori has many passions, and an invitation to the beautifully refurbished Inn at Montauk, New York, to attend a weeklong seminar about the history of Italian food combines three of them--food, Italy, and sexy Italian men. Janine's adventure begins as soon as she receives the invitation, as she anticipates what she'll learn at the lectures and fantasizes about the handsome Italian chefs who may be there.

At the opening reception, though, any thoughts of finding a new love are thwarted by the appearance of an old love. Someone Janine has not been able to get completely out of her mind or her heart.

During the week, lectures about the history of Italy and its food combined with cooking team workshops form the background for personalities that blend and clash, and relationships that develop and dissolve in the spectacular oceanfront kitchen and its East End surroundings.

This modern day romance combines 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. A bibliography is included.

Other publications by the author:

The Insiders' Guide to the Triangle : Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh by J. Barlow Herget and Janice Therese Mancuso
New York Cook Book (Cooking Across America) by Jean Miller Dean and Janice Therese Mancus

The Contadino by Frank J. Agnello

Set in the year 1875, The Contadino is a fast-paced, riveting fictional work of Sicilian-American intrigue.

Dominico Aspaci’s life as a proud contadino will soon end. In the late 1800’s, education in Sicily is minimal, three years at most. The ravages of a recent civil war and the reality of a subservient underclass leaves few choices for the aspiring youth of this troubled but beautiful island. This is life in the village of Poggioreale, Sicily. In a world where a privileged aristocracy owns the land, Dominico finally accepts the fact that achieving his dreams in his homeland is impossible. He soon decides to come to America, the Land of Opportunity, where dreams do come true.

Finding work on the docks of the Houston Ship Channel in Texas,  Dominico is befriended by an unusual pair of immigrants; Thomas O’Connor, a redheaded speck of a man with a captivating Irish brogue and his companion Giuseppe di Alcamo, a burly Sicilian. Giuseppe being the opposite of his Irish counterpart has a quiet disposition and speaks only when necessary. The three become fast friends.

Soon, Dominico is able to locate his cousin, Giovanni Malandrino, an influential Houston importer, and the three immigrants leave their jobs at the port to begin work in Giovanni’s warehouse. Dominico’s quiet, persuasive manner when dealing with others, and his soft-spoken words convey a wisdom beyond his years. His understanding of the Sicilian mind and his uncanny ability to predict his opponent’s moves gain him great respect. In time, with Giovanni’s attention, Dominico became a powerful business force and skillful negotiator, who uses persuasion only when negotiations prove unsuccessful. Domenico is becoming the man that Giovanni's son would never be.

Enter the world of long ago and follow in the challenging and horrific footsteps of proud Dominico Aspaci’s life in America.

Cybernetica by Michael J. Cavallaro

Enter the futuristic city of Cybernetica. A civilization where all thoughts are influenced by a widespread brain-to-computer interface system called sublimation. Short for 'subliminal animation', its technology has the power to regulate actions, and thereby events, through the surgically implanted brain matrix of every human being under its control. Cybernetica is a science fiction novel that follows in the gritty tradition of a Japan-inspired cyberpunk genre created from the books written by William Gibson. Here is a world of virtual reality and dangerous techno wars. A futuristic look into the next generation of computer hacking, where biology itself is the battleground. Mixing elements of style, Cybernetica advances the very themes introduced by Orwell's science fiction classic, 1984.
Dances with Luigi: A Grandson's Search for His Italian Roots by Paul Paolicelli

Who was the gentle man whose dying thoughts after a factory accident were not of his mutilated body but of his responsibility to his family? And why would a man who was a hero to his home village in Italy suddenly break all ties and never speak of his homeland again? In this spirited memoir, veteran TV journalist Paul Paolicelli does what all of us can only dream of---he picks up and moves to a foreign country in an attempt to piece together the mysteries surrounding both his grandfathers. With the help of Luigi, his guide and companion, he travels throughout Italy---Rome, Gamberale, Matera, Miglionico, Alessandria, even Mussolini's hometown of Predappio---and discovers the tragic legacy of the Second World War that is still affecting the Old Country.
Dante's Georgia Inferno by Carmine Randazzo

The weather's forecast was cloudy with rain. Right now, the clouds were getting darker with each passing minute. Dante was on the L.I.E. on his way to his new home in Nassau County. He hated giving up his apartment in the city. That apartment held many memories of the good times he spent there with his beloved Toni. His beautiful Toni, tortured, brutally murdered and decapitated. Toni Borgia, the glamorous fashion model who had the world in the palm of her hands. Dante leaned over to shut off the radio. Sinatra was singing "Lovely Lady" and that just made him sadder. His thoughts were broken by the splat sound of the first raindrops as they hit the windshield. The rain started coming down very hard....

So begins Carmine Randazzo's mystery thriller with the main character and hero of this fascinating story Dante Aligheri, an Italian American police officer, who battles villains, crime, and corruption in a small southern town in Georgia. A book you won't be able to put down--guaranteed!

Dante: Inferno by Frank Salvidio

In the middle of the journey of our life,
I came to myself again in a dark
wood, where the right way was lost …

So begins Frank Salvidio’s compelling translation of the great journey of Western Christian Civilization—the pilgrimage of Dante Alighieri from the exile of sin to the Promised Land of salvation—a journey whose beginning in fire and ice has made the expression “Dante’s Inferno” a commonplace in virtually every language of the modern world.
 
As in his translation of the Vita Nuova, praised not only for its exceptional clarity and fidelity to the original, but also for its “thoughtfully-woven representation of the graceful straightforwardness of the linguaggio dantesco,” Salvidio has once again recreated Dante’s intense and riveting voice in the unadorned simplicity of American English.
 
Additionally, the facing notes—succinct and scholarly—make this translation ideal for students of the poem.

 Other excellent translated publications by Mr. Salvidio include  Between Troy & Florence, The Vita Nuova of Dante Alighieri, and "Sappho Says..." Poems and Fragments of Sappho of Lesbos. To purchase or to obtain information on any of these titles, please contact the author at onthelock@surfglobal.net.

Deeply Rooted In Faith & Family by Ginda Ayd Simpson

More than an entertaining travelogue, Deeply Rooted is a story that examines the value of family, the courage of the human spirit and the grace of growing older. In it, Ginda explores the familiar terrain of Tuscany and Umbria, with an artist’s eye for color and texture. She tells the story of the Calabrian peasant and his family, and how their solid strength, unwavering faith and gentle humor color their world and that of all who are fortunate enough to spend time in their warm presence. It is a book that will make readers long for a simpler, slower life, at the same time that it encourages them to pursue their dreams. It offers candid insight into how one dream took shape.
Diario della studentessa Jean, 2nd Edition by Jean Farinelli

Since its introduction two years ago, Diario della studentessa Jean has become a classroom supplemental reading tool for thousands of advanced beginner and intermediate-level high school students studying the Italian language.

This 2nd Edition reader has 23 easily readable, brief stories ranging from memories of childhood and events of daily life to dialogues about Italian language class. Footnoted vocabulary with explanations in English.

Eserciziario per Diario della studentessa Jean by Concetta Perna

This exercise workbook is a companion book to "Diario della studentessa Jean," and includes comprehension questions for the stories in "Diario," numerous exercises on prepositions, pronoun