NYSCSJ-OSIA: Book Reviews

George Washing Machine, Portables, & Submarine Races, My Italian-American Life
By Michael Cutillo

Michael Cutillo skillfully shares his family's adventures in America and Il Bel Paese as
we become familiar with their pronunciation and antics that will remind all of us of
someone we love. The series of vignettes, which each begin with an Italian proverb,
keep you engaged, laughing and bring back wonderful memories of Italian-American
childhood and the trips back and forth that are so characteristic of first-generation
immigrants. The stories connect many immigrants' journey of assimilating into a new
country while preserving their first love of Italy and the traditions, culture, values and of
course, food of their origin! The love of family, whether across the ocean, or just next
door is highlighted in the many stories that Michael Cutillo writes about in his award
winning book, George Washing Machine, Portables, & Submarine Races, My
Italian-American Life, that he dedicated to his father and other family members.

Book Review written by Lisa Serafini and Alison Vitucci

Christopher Columbus: THE HERO
Defending Columbus from Modern-Day Revisionism by Rafael

In years past, society overwhelmingly viewed Christopher Columbus as a discoverer,
pioneer, hero, and in modern terms, "cutting edge". Unfortunately, that is not the case
today due to modern-day revisionists who portray Columbus as a villain and have
consequently misinformed generations. As the author states in the introduction of the
book, he looks to set the record straight about Columbus, and indeed he does! Rafael, a
Taino descendent, accomplishes this by writing the book so that you feel he is having a
zealous conversation with you and is able to refute the inaccurate accounts by
"so-called" modern day scholars by using primary sources in each chapter from people
who actually knew Columbus and by quoting Columbus' own diary. Chapter by chapter
Rafael dispels each myth, presenting information from multiple sources and historical
documents with insights about the time period. After reading this book, it is clear that
Columbus is indeed a hero and his legacy and the federal holiday should be preserved
for future generations. For those who look to preserve Columbus' legacy, this book is a
"must read" so they can educate themselves about the truth about Columbus and then
re-educate those who have been misinformed.

Book Review written by Lisa Serafini and Alison Vitucci

It comes as no surprise that the Mentoris Project, which seeks to reach today’s readers
through a series of novels and biographies about the lives of great Italian men and women who
have changed the world for the better, published Nicole Gregory’s debut novel of the life
story of our beloved 19th century saint Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini.
The author begins Cabrini’s story as a young girl in the 1860s living in the northern
Italian village of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano where her family and faith guide
her in what would be a life’s quest to care for the children of Italy and later Italian
immigrant children in the slums of New York City in the 1890s; providing
shelter, education, and healthcare while spreading Christianity.
Gregory eloquently demonstrates how Cabrini’s passion for missionary work
becomes a reality due to her great strength and determination as God guides
her throughout the Americas; in spite of the egregious prejudice and discrimination
experienced towards those of Italian descent at that time in history.
Some Italians back home were equally concerned with these issues
for their fellow Italians living in their newly adopted lands who sought to
free themselves from economic challenges only to face greater challenges in America.
Mother Cabrini’s courage, dedication, resilience, resolve and compassion
depicted in this novel is truly an inspiration and exemplifies what it means to be “Italian”.
This is a “must read” so, pick up the novel, “God’s Messenger:
The Astounding Achievements of Mother Cabrini” written by Nicole Gregory
and learn more about our patron saint of immigrants and her many voyages.

Sicilians, Race, and Citizenship in the Jim Crow Gulf South by Jessica Barbata Jackson

Professor and author Jessica Barbata Jackson focuses on life for Italians-Americans in Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama who migrated to the region after their arduous journey to America in the hopes for a better
life in her first book Dixie’s Italians: Sicilians, Race and Citizenship in the Jim Crow Gulf South.
They moved to the Jim Crow South during a time in American history when racial and social injustice
was prevalent in the nation. Consequently, Italian-Americans in the region found themselves
struggling with where they would find their place in society in their newly adopted country.
Through case studies, the author takes the reader back in time to explore how Sicilian children
were forced to attend segregated schools and where attempts were made to deny Italian-Americans'
civil rights by disenfranchising and lynching those of Italian descent.
In modern history, there is an emphasis on raising awareness on historical prejudice
and injustice and this book should be read by all Americans to further understand the historical
context as to how Italian-Americans were egregiously treated in the late nineteenth
and early twentieth century. Hence, why President Benjamin Harrison declared
Columbus Day a holiday to acknowledge the Italian-American community for what should be years to come.

Book Review written by Alison Vitucci and Lisa Serafini

Being Brothers by Mike Delucia is a book written as if it were a movie script.
The author uses the script to set the tone and feel for the events that unfold throughout the piece.
From the television in the living room to the music in the street, you are immersed in the setting and are able to recall
your own childhood which creates a sense of nostalgia; a time where you had a true sense of self and belonging rather than a focus
on material items and electronics today. The story centers on two brothers with Italian names growing up in the Bronx in the seventies.
Their classmates, neighbors, little league teammates and family come alive as the book plays out and although the brothers have sibling rivalry,
which their parents do a good job diffusing, the bond they share is apparent.
So, pick up this award winning book Being Brothers and take a walk down memory lane.

The Children’s Train is inspired by real life events in post WWII Italy, 1945-1952 when labor activist Teresa Noce
created a program called Treni della Felicita, or Happiness Trains.
This program was intended to help poor children in the war-ravaged southern region of Italy by sending them to host families in the North.

The central character, Amerigo Speranza, has lost his brother, does not know where his father might be,
and is being raised in Naples, by his mother who does what she can to support him, without a job.
After hearing about the program, Amerigo’s mother decides to send him to Modena where a single
woman from the Benvenuti family becomes Amerigo’s foster mother.
She too is struggling but a different type of struggle; she lost her special someone during the war.
Her brother is a carpenter who makes violins and makes one for Amerigo.
He teaches Amerigo how to play the violin which shapes his passion for music;
especially in the future where he eventually becomes a professional violinist.

The Italian author, Viola Ardone, develops each character so you personally know each one of them,
and makes you feel like you are in their location, can hear the sounds in the neighborhood, the children playing, and smell the food.

The climax of the story deals with Amerigo’s mother having to choose between taking her son back to her limited means,
or allowing him to thrive in Modena with his foster mother who can offer him a much different future.
You will not forget the end of this novel and it will make a lasting impression on you.

How was it that an American would come to be chosen as the successor to Pope Francis? Veteran Vatican correspondent, Christopher White,
transports his readers to gain a greater understanding of the process of electing a new pope and how an Italian American from Chicago,
who served the Chilean population, was elected in his book Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of A New Papacy.
White lays out the historical timeline of the papacy, focusing on Vatican II, Pope Francis, and his philosophy of opening the
Vatican to those who have been historically “outsiders” of the Church.

White recounts conversations with Cardinal Prevost and other cardinals as he paints a picture of the conclave. He shares the Cardinals’
biggest question during the time between Francis’ passing and the conclave: will the next pope continue on with Francis’
vision or take more of a traditional approach. Many believe that this papal election may have been one of the most important elections to date;
selecting someone who could balance unity and tradition amongst over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Ultimately, this book is more than just a story about Pope Leo XIV; it is a profound exploration of the papacy and conclave.
If a reader is looking to explore the potential impact of Pope Leo XIV’s leadership on global issues and church doctrine,
look no further than Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of A New Papacy by Christopher White.

Book Review written by Lisa Serafini and Alison Vitucci

The Case of Antonio Meucci & The Telephone, Just the Facts
Written by Frances R. Curcio & Myra Zarnowski

Are you looking for a gift for curious children that will encourage their critical thinking and strengthen their cultural identity?
The Case of Antonio Meucci & The Telephone is a great gift and / or stocking stuffer that you can read with your youngsters.
The book will share information that you probably did not know, and ask questions that will encourage insightful intergenerational discussions.

Grouping Antonio Meucci’s life story into ten factoids, the book shares how this Italian inventor came to start the telephone in Florence, Italy,
and eventually traveled to Staten Island, New York, where he perfected his invention.
It also shares how he was an engineering genius, but the language barrier impacted business success in an adopted nation during a time of ingenuity.

Although Meucci died a poor man, he left a rich legacy to Italian-Americans to be proud of.

Read the book The Case of Antonio Meucci & The Telephone, and visit the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
in Staten Island, to learn more about Antonio Meucci, the original creator of the telephone.

One last “Think about it:” What do you think Antonio Meucci’s thoughts would be about our modern-day smartphones?

This is a captivating documentary about tens of families from northern Italy who came to America - the Arkansas Delta - hoping to escape poverty
in a country they loved and in search of a better life in the promised land of America.

Through pictures, primary sources and narration it depicts the journey of these Italians starting in 1895 northern Italy with a mass
prayer held for those departing to Arkansas and blessing from Pope Leo XIII.

Father Bandini narrates the journey, and the vision of a potential well-off community for the Italians because times were
hard in Italy and they had little opportunity in their native country. They came to America to become tenant farmers-unfortunately
too many people died from malaria and dysentery from swamps.

Industrialist Corbin who started the business venture for these Italian families dies seven months later and so does
Prince Rispoli. Corbin's heirs wanted nothing to do with this venture and did not help the Italian workers.
Instead, Corbin's family leased the land to another company, and conditions for the Italian farmers worsened.

Consequently, Bandini escorts 43 families to a new location known as Tontitown named after explorer Henri de Tonti for better conditions and opportunity.
In this new town, the Italians faced discrimination and lynchings in the area from nativists but Father Bandini stood strong for everyone.

This documentary reveals a hidden chapter in American history about the challenges Italian immigrants faced in the Deep South following the
Civil War and affords us the opportunity to better understand the challenges our ancestors faced and their resilience; a trait carried down from generation to generation.

Approximately one million Italian Americans can trace their ancestry to Tontitown; a town that you can still explore to learn more about this
journey as well as their annual Grape Festival. When you have a few minutes, take the opportunity to stream the film on Prime Video- you will not be disappointed.

Potentially Dangerous: When It Was A Crime To Be An Italian: Directed and Written by Zach Baliva

Potentially Dangerous: When It Was a Crime to Be Italian, directed and written by Zach Baliva, tells an important and often overlooked story about the discrimination Italian immigrants faced in the United States during World War II.
During this chapter in history, Italian Americans made up more than 10% of military personnel and received medals of honor for their bravery and service.
The documentary explores Executive Order 2527, where Italians were declared enemy aliens, placed under curfew, banned from workplaces, taken from their homes and families, and placed into internment camps.
The stories are told by people who were children at the time the authorities came knocking.

What makes the documentary especially powerful is the way it shows that discrimination was not simply a matter of personal prejudice.
Italian immigrants were viewed as threats because of their nationality and heritage. Families faced fear, uncertainty, and restrictions simply because they were of Italian descent and had not yet become American citizens.
Consequently, Italian Americans hid their language, culture, and customs, which had long-lasting effects.
The documentary reminds viewers that being labeled “dangerous” can have serious consequences, even when people have done nothing wrong.

The subject is especially meaningful because it connects history to issues that still matter today.
By examining the experiences of Italian Americans, the documentary encourages viewers to think about fairness, civil rights, and the dangers of judging people based on their origins.
Even though a full investigation into the internment of Italians revealed this treatment, the American government has not issued an apology.

Potentially Dangerous is an informative and thought-provoking documentary. It gives viewers a chance to learn about a difficult chapter in American history while also considering how prejudice can affect ordinary families.
For anyone interested in American history, immigration, or the experiences of Italian Americans, this documentary can be downloaded for free at https://www.potentiallydangerousfilm.com/.