Bibliograph

The Italian Americans, a history, Maria Laurino

Type

Label

The Italian Americans, a history, Maria Laurino

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-281) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The Italian Americans

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

889323885

Responsibility statement

Maria Laurino

Sub title

a history

Summary

Maria Laurino strips away stereotypes and nostalgia to tell the complicated, centuries-long story of the true Italian-American experience. Looking beyond the familiar caricatures fostered by popular culture, she tells the stories of Sicilian workers imported to replace the labor of freed slaves, the grim realities from which most immigrants came, the lynchings of Italian Americans, and the first uses of the word "mafia." Laurino shows how Italian Americans dominated the fishing industry in San Francisco, helped save the city after the Great Fire, and were interned or restricted as "enemy aliens" during World War II. Readers will meet the celebrated NYPD officer who battled "The Black Hand"; sex-symbol Rudolph Valentino, who attracted both adoration and scorn; and Rosina Bonavita, the real-life "Rosie the Riveter." Laurino brings to light the significance of Italian American roots to generation-defining authors and poets like Diane DiPrima, and examines how Italian Americans' focus on family and community has influenced American politics. From anarchist radicals of the early twentieth century to Nancy Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo; from traditional artisans to rebel songsters like Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga, this book explores and celebrates the rich history and ongoing vitality of Italian American life.--Publisher information

Table Of Contents

Introduction -- Pt. I: 1860-1910 : La famiglia: Who killa da chief? ; Birds of passage ; A secret history : Up from the ashes -- Pt. II: 1910-1930 : Becoming American ; Fruits of thy labor ; Taking the streets ; Guilt by association ; A shortcut -- Pt. III: 1930-1945 : The little flower ; Faith in the fatherland ; Why we fight ; Enemy aliens -- Pt. IV: 1945-Present : American dreams ; Cultural outlaws ; Crime and prejudice ; Mythmakers ; Breaking through ; We're all Italian!Introduction --

Classification