Customer Reviews

Blood of My Blood: The Dilemma of the Italian-Americans (Picas Series, No. 7)

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I first read Richard Gambino's "Blood of My Blood" in the late 1970's. Reading this book became a voyage of discovery. The book retains its strength and mission over twenty-five years later. Being Italian-American in 21st century America is still perplexing. Gambino gives many clues and insight into the Italian-American experience.

As part of one of the largest ethnic minorities in the USA it is unsettling to have so little information about who we are. Gambino's blending of historical facts with personal stories paints a vivid picture of the Italian-American experience.

Mainstream America revels in the ethnocentricity of many ethnic groups, while Italians are still discouraged for being Italian-like. The Italian-American experience, even today, is only a footnote clouded with the mass media's laughable or fearsome images.

Though originally publishes in 1974 this books still is a beacon for those struggling to understand what it is to be Italian-American.

This is a must read for anyone interested in he Italian American experience.

Dr. Gambino has presented a sociological analysis woven into a personal autobiographical interpretation of what it is like growing up and being Italian-American. One must accept the hyphen if he or she who is Italian-American wants to accept themselves. The evidence and research is as compelling for me as it was 15 years ago when I first read this book. It is on the the most influencial books on ethnicity in America. Unfortunately, most readers will find books about organized crime as true facts of the 27 million plus Italian-Americans in the USA. This, of course, is the reality of the mass media. Nonetheless, if one wants to understand his or her identity as an American of Italian desent or if you want to become closer to this ethnic mosaic we call the USA, please read this book. It will not only educate but entertain you and make you more understanding of Italian-Americans.

Both my parents are from a small town in Calabria. I distinctively remember growing up with the feeling that I was not 100% American or Italian. In the home, I had a traditional southern Italian upbringing that did not exist in the homes of my friends, most of whom had Italian backgrounds. Richard Gambino's mention of this condition was the first time I have ever read about it it any text. Needless to say, I identified with the many accounts of the Italian-American experience explained by Mr. Gambino.

I would recommend this book to people of any background, Italian or not. The struggles of the southern Italians, both in their own country and in their new one, is a story that many will find intriguing and inspiring.

If one has any Italian American roots, this book should be compulsory reading. For fair-minded people of other backgrounds, who would like to know more about one of America's largest ethnic groups, the same is true. It goes a long way toward explaining why Italian Americans are so misunderstood, even by themselves. Furthermore, Gambino has a masterful, engaging writing sytle.

This book is something that all 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Italian-Americans should read. It brings an understanding of the first generation of Italian Americans to those of us who were not born or not old enough to understand the circumstances of the first generation. I am a third generation Italian American with behavior patterns and emotions I could not understand until I read this book. The book has also given me a new appreciation for my second generation parents and some of the barriers between us as I grew up.

I promise that every page of this book will either make you laugh out loud, or bring you to tears.

In short, buy it, read it, lend it to others!

I wasn't sure what I expected when I read Richard Gambino's book. The only thing I can say is that it was a real eye-opener! As a second generation Italian, this book brought home all the thoughts and feelings I had over a lifetime, and gave them a clarity never before experienced. Suddenly things that my immigrant father had told me had meaning...the hows and whys were suddenly answered. La Via Vechia (The Old Ways) were always important, and stressed in my home, and now are being handed down to my own children. The book is clearly written, and a very entertaining and engrossing read. Bravo, Signore Gambino, Bravo!

As an American of Italian descent, I heartily recommend this book to any American of Italian descent. The author provides excellent insight into the clash of "la via vecchia" - the old way, the old road, i.e. Italian homeland traditions versus "the new way", i.e., traditions that were lost or discarded to assimilate into American culture.

You may find here explained, so many unwritten rules if your were raised in an Italian family. For those who may not be Italian ethnically but know Italians, have Italian friends, or may be married to an Italian and flummoxed by their family's ways, this book could be a big help. It will help Italian Americans understand themselves and non-Italians understand Italian Americans. Self discovery is good. This book had been out of print and some friends paid much more than I did here at Amazon.

I really really liked this book. I read the first edition recently, and at age 64 have to admit it's pretty sad that I waited this long to find out who I am and where/what I came from. My grandparents came over from Italy, and according to Gambino this makes me third generation Italian/American even though I was always taught I was second generation. No big deal, but to learn how progressive my parents were toward education is a big deal, and even sadder because they're no longer alive for me to show my appreciation. Anyway, I recommended this book to all my syblings, and if you're Italian/American, I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy of this outstanding book as soon as possible. BTW, it's a lot less expensive at AbeBooks.

excellent service and an excellent book if you are an italian american or not. very informative and very heart warming if you are italian.

If you are looking for a book that doesn't merely describe Italians, but gets to the inner soul of how they think and behave, this is for you. Whether you are first, second, third, or fourth generation you will be able to identify and recognize yourself and family members in the contents. This is by far the best book I have read. This author's description of events is supurb.