Customer Reviews

Growing Up Italian in God's Country

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I wish the movers and shakers in the film world, e.g. Coppola, DeNiro, Scorcese would read GROWING UP ITALIAN IN GOD'S COUNTRY and find out what life for the Italian immigrant was really like at the turn of the last century.The stories within would make a riveting movie. There's the great-grandfather dropping dead face down on the railroad tracks his mouth full of cinders; a great-aunt dying in agony for lack of medicine only to have her coffin whipped by the Irish priest who was exorcising her "sins"; the author's father, age 4, pulled from the Austin mill flood which took 78 lives;the author's mother hiding in the pantry from the Indian who came to breakfast. Often tragic, frequently humorous, always engrossing. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book so much. The writing style and subject matter are reminiscent of Bailey White's fact-based fiction. The descriptions of life in the Pennsylvania mountains are vivid and I felt as if I knew the characters. It is clearly written with love and enthusiasm for the subject matter. It made me long for the people and places of my own childhood and to know more about my ancestors. The old photos are so wonderful too. Thanks for a great escape.

The stories Patricia weaves in this lovely collection of insights is a treasure for her family as well as her faithful readers.

This book will be the spark that ignites every reader to embrace and explore their own family's history.

Patricia's enthusiasm is contagious, and her book "Growing Up Italian In God's Country" has renewed my interest and pride in my own family, as I too, grew up in God's country.

Thank you for writing this special gift, Patricia.

What a wonderful book! I practically finished it in one sitting. I'm a few years older than the author but we grew up in the same years. My "God's Country" of course is Vermont. But it could well be rural Pennsylvania. Our Italian heritage is so binding.

What a wonderful book! I have practically finished it in one sitting. At age 70 I am somewhat older than the author but I grew up in the same years. My "God's Country" is Vermont. But it could well be rural Pennsylvania.

This is a depiction of the pioneer-like life of early Italian immigrants who settled in the rural mountains of Pennsylvania. It is an important addition to the current volumes, which focus predominantly on the urban life of Italo-Americans and that emanate from academe. Readable, informative and enjoyable, it is a significant contribution to the study of the Italian-American experience. Joseph J. Bentivegna, Ph.D, Founder of the Italian Heritage Society.