Looking beyond the familiar Little Italys and stereotypes fostered by The Godfather and The Sopranos, Maria Laurino reveals surprising, fascinating lives: From Italian Americans working on sugar-cane plantations in Louisiana to those who were lynched in New Orleans; and the banker who helped rebuild San Francisco after the great earthquake to families interned as "enemy aliens" in the Second World War.

Readers can discover the history chronologically, chapter by chapter or serendipitously by exploring the trove of supplemental materials. These include interviews, newspaper clippings, period documents and photographs that bring the history to life.

About the Author
Maria Laurino is the author of Were You Always an Italian?, a national bestseller, and Old World Daughter, New World Mother. She lives in New York City with her husband and son.

Reviews
"A first-rate, cliche-killing, and insightful exploration of the Italian-American journey. I couldn't put it down. Essential." -- John Turturro "Rich and satisfying, loaded with fascinating interviews, glorious photographs and fresh insights, this compilation is a keeper. With her trademark literary elegance and journalistic integrity, Maria Laurino pulls disparate threads together creating one lush tapestry that shows us who we are." -- Adriana Trigiani "The Italian Americans is clear, fresh and vivid. It answers a thousand questions about where we came from, how and why our ancestors got here, and why we think and act as we do." -- Russell Shorto "The Italian Americans is a revelation-a rich and truthful history, full of little-known information, insight, and narrative color, giving full dimension to people far too often reduced to stereotype." -- Gay Talese



Book Information
ISBN 9780393241297
Author Maria Laurino
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 1250g
Dimensions(mm) 262mm * 216mm * 28mm