Unto the Sons

by Gay Talese

"An Italian ROOTS." —The Washington Post Book World

At long last, Gay Talese, one of America's greatest living authors, employs his prodigious storytelling gifts to tell the saga of his own family's emigration to America from Italy in the years preceding World War II. Ultimately it is the story of all immigrant families and the hope and sacrifice that took them from the familiarity of the old world into the mysteries and challenges of the new.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Italy, Biography, Italian Literature, Historical

600 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Gay Talese is an American author. He wrote for The New York Times in the early 1960s and helped to define literary journalism or "new nonfiction reportage", also known as New Journalism. His most famous articles are about Joe DiMaggio, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sitting at my Grandpa Sicilia's table in Hibbing at least once a month for Sunday dinner during my first two decades, listening to the conversation swirl around me in Italian, broken English, and fervent gesture, there were so many unanswered questions --- so many things I wanted to ask -- but in my heart of hearts I knew in so many ways that we did not speak the same language. Luckily Gaetano Talese, growing up in Atlantic City about the same time, was in much the same position. This book is the result of his research, interviews, and reflection on his own experience . It's an epic book, an amazing amalgamation of history, biography, fiction and drama which makes mince meat of the careful distinctions we make between those genres. It tells the story of a family (the Talese of Maida, a ancient herding town built into a mountain hillside of Calabria), a people (Southern Italians) and two lands (Italy and the United States) as well as four generations - the parents left behind, the original immigrant, the immigrant's son (himself an immigrant), and the second immigrant's son (American born and bred). I learned much more from this book about the historic complexity of the land from which my grandparents came than the dozens of lengthy histories I have read on the subject over the years perhaps because it is such a personal story set in a much larger context. It cleared up several mysteries: for example, the story of the "white widows" - the women, like my grandmother, left behind with the children while their husbands went off to God only knew where , sending much needed money back and returning every few years to sire a new child or two and go off again. I found it thoroughly engaging perhaps because it was as familiar to me as my own genetic structure ---- and as much of a mystery to me as that, too. I am unsure whether or not readers with roots in other times and places would find it as compelling, but I couldn't put it down and when, in the end, the town of Maida, thousands of years in the making, is bombed into oblivion in one single afternoon of Allied raids and Gay Talese's father, Joseph, in his outrage and despair, destroys the model airplanes his son has so carefully been making in his room , I was very, very sad to see it end, but I thoroughly understood the final line: "Those who love you make you cry...."

[Paco Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obra de no ficción que aborda la historia de la familia de Gay Talese. El origen de los antepasados de este escritor y periodista se encuentra en un pequeño pueblo al sur de Italia, Maida, que recibió con recelo al libertador Guiseppe Garibaldi cuando este se encontraba en plena lucha por la independencia de Italia, que finalmente concretó en 1862.

La vida de la familia del escritor sirve como excusa para contar de forma maravillosa la experiencia de los migrantes italianos que llegaron en caudal a Estados Unidos a finales del siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX, antes de que entraran en vigor las restricciones de ingreso al país. Es interesante observar cómo los migrantes, sobre todo del sur de Italia, pasaron de vivir en comunidades pobres y arraigadas al catolicismo, a vivir en el Nuevo Mundo que no solo tenía barrios étnicos sino ciudades en pleno desarrollo donde predominaban los protestantes, la multiculturalidad de las razas negras, europeas, asiáticas y latinoamericanas, y en donde se presentaban grandes choques culturales como lo era la libertad de la mujer.

También gran parte del libro aborda los periodos de la Primera y la Segunda Guerra.

En resumen, es un libro que recupera los grandes fenómenos de los últimos dos siglos, como lo fueron las guerras y las migraciones hacia el Nuevo Mundo. Pero también es una obra compuesta de pequeñas historias de gente común que vivió, como muchos de nosotros, en la justa medianía, sin muchas cosas dignas de contar en libros o en películas, pero que representan también cosas importantes e incalculables por la identificación que puede generar en los lectores.

[Linda FK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The size of this book is daunting but the story is so engaging, it's hard not to finish it. Yes, the history can bog you down but I say, power through. It's worth it. American and European history experienced through the ancestors of Gay Talese, makes it all so real and relevant. Watching the characters grapple with life and family while knowing what political and historical events await them is part of the charm and the intrigue. The reader knows about the devastating effects of asbestos, the betrayal of the WWI treaty, the alliance between Hitler and Mussolini before the characters, and yet watching them deal with these issues within the narrative of their lives, is so interesting. The ending left me with a heavy heart, but be warned--it won't make sense unless you've read the family event that it references from the beginning of the story. Wonderful book! Worth the time.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as much or more than everything else I have read by Talese. This is no light read, though. The historical detail packed into the pages was literally exhausting at times but I never contemplated putting it down. Talese's writing just won't allow that. It took a solid two months to read as I would pick up a magazine or some such every week or so but this book is so worth your time. If you are from an Italo-American family this is a must-read. If you are a fan of history, memoir or just great non-fiction right, you will love it as well.

[Emilio Dalmonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avrei potuto dare 5 stelle a questo libro scritto benissimo. Non l’ho fatto solo perché la parte propriamente storica era un po’ lunga per me, che l’ho studiata a scuola. Ma tutti dovrebbero leggere questo libro per capire cosa vuol dire lasciare il proprio paese e la propria famiglia, per andare in cerca di una vita migliore. Per capire come le persone si adattano al cambiamento, per poi cambiare esse stesse. Per capire cosa significhi essere la seconda (o terza) generazione di immigrati, come si trasforma e si affievolisce il senso della lealtà al proprio paese d’origine. Sempre più persone vivono situazioni simili a quella dell’autore e un testo come questo offre una possibilità unica di capire, che è poi l’unica maniera di lottare contro l’ignoranza dilagante e il razzismo

[B E E E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was something I picked up because of its cover. Yep. I do that. Works more often than not. I thought this was a novel, which admittedly put me off of it for years. Kinda hard to say just what it is, however. I am going to go with autobiography. Because, well because the author is so damn good that he pulls off a magic trick. A major fucking magic trick. Most of the book is more history than anything, but the last twenty or so pages just ties everything up, slaps you in the face, give you a goodnight kiss and sends you off to bed. The word "Italian" will never be the same for you. Awesome.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Very deft weaving of the micro and the macro. You can see the forces of history swirling and developing, and how the sweep certain people into positions. At the same time, the book is very educational and should be on every Italian-American's reading list. If you are of that descent, chances are it will affect you personally, yet Talese never gets too self-centered in the writing, which is a remarkable feat.

He writes himself into the story, much like the famous Frank Sinatra article, and yet he's never selfish enough to become the subject. You can always see yourself.

Excellent.

[Silvia Zuleta Romano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si te gusta la historia y la autobiografía, este es tu libro. He quedado gratamente sorprendida por esta obra. El relato se centra en la vida de los antepasados de Talese, mechando con la historia de Italia de manera magistral. Se aprende mucho a través de las familias italianas del sur, cómo vivían los principales acontecimientos históricos de Europa: la unificación italiana, las guerras mundiales, la Mafia. Sin dudas, un libro atrapante.

[MARIANA VARGAS · Rating 4 out of 5]

monumental

Es una obra maestra. Sobra cualquier adjetivo ya que me quedaría corta para resaltar su calidad. Simplemente genial. Es maravillosa

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a descendant of Italian American immigrants, I feel a profound connection with this book. It's a masterfully crafted historical memoir that immerses readers in the lives of Italian immigrants, spanning from the late 1800s to the 1940s, offering a wealth of details about the Talese family's challenges, dreams, and influence on American society. This historical account provides valuable insights, including captivating historical context about figures like the last King of Italy, Mussolini, and Mario Puzo, the author of "The Godfather." The inclusion of real historical figures is abundant, often prompting me to search for more information online, from the most obscure characters (like the disturbing asbestos entrepreneur) to massive historical events like WW1. The extensive bibliography attests to the rigorous research and characters are fully rounded. Talese's gripping writing consistently kept me on the edge of my seat, skillfully blending personal memoir with historical analysis, creating a truly unique and enlightening exploration of the immigrant experience. I loved it so much; it felt like I was reading about my own family.

[Paul Antoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los Hijos de Talese es una gran obra, monumental, que recorre su historia a través de su árbol genealógico, con su origen en el sur de Italia y los procesos que vivieron y sufrieron los migrantes italianos en Estados Unidos, incluyendo el racismo, así como los rituales. Pasa por la Primera Guerra y el ascenso de Mussolini, un trasfondo que no es ajeno a la historia de los protagonistas, que incluso viven en la Paris de la pre guerra y vemos asomos a la mafia desde Catanzaro hasta Jersey (saludos Tony Soprano)

[Mohammad Aboomar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family history of the grandest kind! The amount of research into the historic backdrop of this book is astounding. It is also very well written and quite engaging. Definitely one of my favorites!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent immigration narrative of the author’s family who came here from Maida, Italy. A lot of fascinating Italian/Sicilian history included. Well-written and heavily researched.

[René · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quien bien te quiere te hará llorar...

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed and descriptive biographies Gay's Italian and American predecessors

[Ardita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gay Talese is a seasoned American journalist and writer. This book is about his family roots. It took him 10 years to research the history of his family from pre World War I to World War II. The details are very rich, straightforward without having too much peppers.

Talese's writing is as stylish as the content of his wardrobe. Despite being a non-fiction book, Talese didn't hurt the readers' eyes with footnotes, but using bibliography. This very captivating book is written in a literature style. Trust me, you'd feel like you're reading a novel. Even better! It is full of characters (mostly men) and it has scenes like in the movies. His punchline is sometimes witty, sad, exhilarating. But it's all very human, without being overly emotional.

The most interesting thing was the way Talese described and drew the connection between the facts he discovered in the past with the present. The part about La Guardia (one of New York's Mayor), Coppola (the famous film maker), even Lucky Luciano (the gangster) and the Allied Forces were most interesting. Though my favourite was the scene when he saw Joe Di Maggio (famous ball player) in a restaurant. Boy that was something ;)

Highly recommended.

PS: It's not a fiction, it's a non-fiction.

[Samantha Mozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read Gay Talese's book so I could read about Ocean City, N.J., where he grew up and where i spent many of my childhood and teenage summers. But it turns out that it's about his father, a tailor, who came from Calabria, Italy, and settled in Ocean City, and basically the history of Italians and Italy since the first man set foot on that boot. This is a densely detailed 600+ page book that reads like a novel. I found the history utterly fascinating. Gay Talese is one of our best American writers and I greatly appreciated his detail, never missing a stitch. His father told him stories of Italy and his family members kept diaries from way back; he fills in the rest with intensive research.

Gay Talese exemplifies how to be a high-caliber writer.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book since 1992, 629 pages , Goudy Old Style print. Twenty-five years have passed , time to read this work of art. "The ambitions" of Gay Talese to write his family biography of his Italian-American experience took ten years of extensive research, frequent trips to southern Italy, and an impressive bibliography beginning with the history of Maida through WWII's Italian /American history. His gift of storytelling has given his family a heartbeat with his mighty pen using detailed, precise historical facts . Like a pure custom tailored suit of individual design ,every stitch was sewn masterfully to completion and the end result would turn heads. A design that will last decades.

[Elizabeth Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been buried in this tome for months, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. UNTO THE SONS is Talese's boyhood memoir / family history / ode to southern Italy / Italian history from the southerner's perspective. It's about the most rambling book I've ever read, and yet it works simply because Talese is a master of the interesting detail. It doesn't hurt that his family members have participated in significant events in Italian history. Talese is curious about the connections between private lives and sweeping public events and movements, and his curiosity is infectious.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book, a memoir about Italian immigration. Talese intertwines his family's history with Italian history dating back to the middle ages, and more recent history, including a fascinating piece about Mussolini. It reads like a combination novel and history book...I couldn't put it down...

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long history of one family. And I mean long history. Helps one understand life in southern Italy in the last two centuries. Helps one understand World War I from a very personal perspective. I wouldn't have thought I'd be terribly interested in either one, but I was!

[Salsadancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gay Talese's personal saga from his ancestors in Italy to his American immigrant grandparents, to his growing up in Ocean City, New Jersey. But it is no less a wonderful story than his other works. He is a good story-teller.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this man's writing style! Classic, full bodied, well constructed story of his family and the story of Italy and it's people, conquerors and hero's. It's 625 pages and I intentionally read only 10 pages a night,I already know I don't want it to end.

[Corinne Driscoll · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected and rather boring.

[Marissa Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandfather (my nonno) turns 97 in February. He really wanted me to read this book. I came to it with that context, thinking about his grandfather, the years detailed in this book, the Italy he knew. This epic book has armed me with a comprehensive picture of cultural and social-politics I had never fully grasped until now.

When I think about my grandfather's lifespan, then backward to his grandfather facing those political dynamics in Italy, I get this vast sense of time and connection to people who are no more. This book is that inheritance made tangible

Talese writes in maniacal detail, reconstructing his family's history through southern Italy's political and personal upheaval. It’s non fiction that reads like an epic novel. For me, it felt like peaking into the generations before me, contextualizing my own family's journey and way of life. This book works for those with an extreme fascination for Italy or seeking to explore their Italian heritage. If you aren’t either of those you’ll find it a ramble.

Few factoids that stuck with me: Rome's conservative government actually welcomed the Italian exodus to America because it reduced the economic burden of the overpopulated south. The complex Padrone system that shaped Italian-American communities differently depending on geography—20% of immigrants who went west of the Mississippi assimilated quicker, partly because many northern Italians had more Anglo features and economic means. The "white widows"—independent women legally married but living completely separate lives from husbands working in the States. How Italians were one of the most hated immigrant groups in America. The mafia's unlikely partnership with American forces to take down Axis powers in Sicily.

And Mussolini, understanding the geopolitical rise and the mindset of his proponents, even among Italian-Americans until 1940. The parallels to our current moment are uncanny.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my very well-read and brilliant cousin after I had shared how much I enjoyed Elena Ferrante's "The Neapolitan Series," and how it gave me insight into what my Italian grandmother could not stand about life in her childhood in a province outside of Naples, and what caused her, at 18 years of age, and alone, to come to America, leaving behind her mother and siblings (her father died in a railroad accident in the US shortly after my grandmother was born, thus rendering her a naturalized US citizen). This book, "Unto the Sons," goes more into historical detail while describing his ancestors' experiences in their small town of Maida in southern Italy before, during, and after WWI, as well as up to the events that lead to the end of WWII. The battered history of Italy throughout the centuries and since the Risorgimento (Unification) explains the cultural and political history of Italy that continues to be influenced by its own history to this day. It has left me with a better understanding of not only Italian history, but my own cultural heritage growing up in an Ital0-American family and household.

[Adam Cherson]

Scrupulously researched family auto-biography, interspersed with extensive historical narratives, this book is a must read not only for anyone interested in the American experience as embodied by Southern Italians, but for anyone interested in American history period. Among many fascinating anecdotes are the explanation for Garibaldi's 'red shirts' (he got a batch of them at a discount from a butcher's supplier (red to avoid appearance of blood stains) while fighting for Brazilian freedoms in Brazil), the account of the actively supportive role played by the Sicilian Mafia in the US's WWII Sicilian operations, New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's attempts to conceal his maternal Jewish heritage, as well as the fact the Cole Porter's song 'You're the Top' includes a tip of the hat to 'Mussolini' (I'm not sure whether that particular lyric is still included in renditions of that song). History sure is strange sometimes.

[Maria Azpiroz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gusta muchísimo Talese pero este libro en particular que creo es uno de los más famosos, ha sido el que menos me gustó hasta ahora. Reconstruye la saga de su familia italo- estadounidense, desde el pueblo de Maida en Calabria a Nueva Jersey. Pretende incluir todo: historia personal, regional, grandes acontecimientos históricos como la unificación italiana, el fascismo, la emigración en una enorme biografía familiar. El problema es que se me hizo muy denso y poco profundo a la vez. Creo que el problema es que esa macrohistoria debilita la profundidad emocional y encuentro cierto sesgo parternalista sobre la emigración, un pensamiento como de que son "aldeanos" en el sur de Italia. No ayuda que son varias historias al mismo tiempo, cronológicamente dispersos también. En definitiva es demasiado narrativo para un ensayo y tenemos demasiados hechos para una novela. Voy a seguir leyendo a Talese porque me ha dado grandes momentos aunque este libro no sea uno de mis favoritos.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the immigration of Gay Talese's family from Italy to America around the turn of the 20th century. Their journey is set in the context of the huge immigration of Italians arriving at Liberty Island in those years. It is the story of my grandparents too. Slow going at times, but full of information about the conditions on both sides of the Atlantic that set the stage for the immigration. Lots of anecdotes about the newly minted Italian Americans, not just about DiMaggio, Sinatra, Cuomo, Ferraro, Iacocca, and Madonna's great-grandparents, but about regular people, like my people, too.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank Gay Talese for writing this for it has helped fill a gap I have. Both my maternal grandparents took this journey (separately) over the Atlantic at the beg. of the 20th c. Unfortunately, both died young and I never got to hear their stories first hand. My mother, born here, was always more intent on being American than telling stories of their experiences or knowing a lot about Italy.
I loved the way Gay tells the story of his family esp. of his father and Uncle Antonio. so along with having a better understanding of my grandparents' history, I also have a widely expanded understanding of Italian history.