The Journey of the Italians in America

by Vincenza Scarpaci

A photographic history of Italian-American life. The Italian imprint on North America that began centuries ago with the voyages of Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, and Giovanni da Verrazzano continues in every aspect of American life today. This book celebrates the contributions Italians made in the areas of agriculture, cuisine, industry, religion, sports, architecture, the arts, and politics, and how they preserved their culture while establishing their presence in America. Beginning with the first major wave of immigration in the 1870s, this book portrays Italian-American hardships and successes, along with the lifestyles, organizations, and businesses they created in communities throughout the country. Four hundred photographs from public and private collections portray this colorful ethnic group in settings from the crowded streets of Naples to crowded ships bound for America, to Californian farmers and family celebrations in New York.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2008

About the author

Brooklyn native Vincenza Scarpaci is a writer and teacher. She graduated from Hofstra University in New York in 1961 with a bachelor of arts degree in history and went on to obtain her Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University in 1972. She has worked as a consultant, grant writer, and volunteer coordinator in addition to her considerable teaching experience at the university level. Her work has been published in journals and encyclopedias across the globe. She resides in Eugene, Oregon."

Reviews

[Maddie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning more about my heritage and reading about stories of Italian-Americans all over the US