The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities) [Hardcover]

Salvatore J. LaGumina (Editor), Frank J. Cavaioli (Editor), Salvatore Primeggia (Editor), Joseph A. Varacalli (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0815307136 | ISBN-13: 978-0815307136 | Edition: 1

The millions of Italians who have migrated to the United States over the last two centuries have played a crucial-and at times little recognized-role in the history of their adopted country. This encyclopedia, the first book of its kind, presents the totality of the Italian American experience. The coverage includes such broad topics as the influence of Italian Americans on politics and society and their contributions to art and to the development of Catholicism in the United States. Offers unique insights into many previously neglected topics: * Anti-Italian discrimination in the United States * Italian American organizations, groups, and archival depositories * The role and status of Italian American women * Issues of assimilation * Italian Americans in the media Italian Americans have participated in every occupation and endeavor in American life throughout history. The breathtaking range and depth of their contributions are reflected in the extensive biographical coverage in The Italian American Experience. Included are such diverse figures as Constantino Brumidi, Vivian Della Chiesa, the Grucci family, Fiorello LaGuardia, Madonna, Antonin Scalia, Rosa Ponselle, Frank Sinatra, Frank Stella, and Joseph Zappulla. The biographies are valuable prism through which to examine the richness and diversity of the Italian American experience. A major contribution to furthering the understanding of America's multicultural heritage. In a time when many people in the United States are concerned about the influx of new immigrants and with the issues relating to American pluralism, this book provides a detailed account of how the largest ethnic group in America at the beginning of the 1900s dealt with the process of accommodation and assimilation.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This impressive reference book on a topic that is, unfortunately, too rare gives an overview of the influence Italians have had on American culture. It includes short biographies of prominent people (such as former New York governor Mario Cuomo, Robert De Niro, Camille Paglia, and Enrico Fermi); not so obvious Italian Americans (Anne Bancroft, composer Walter Piston, Bobby Darin, and Bernadette Peters); as well as those lesser known, such as novelist John Fante, Candido Jacuzzi (inventor of the high-pressure tub), Edward DeBartolo (the leading builder of shopping malls), and Amadeo Obici (the founder of Planter's peanut company). More importantly, the book contains essays on the ways in which Italian Americans changed American geography and history. There are entries describing the country's many Little Italys; on how Italian Americans changed pop music with singers such as Frank Sinatra and Madonna; and on Italians' formation of and influence on labor unions. A chapter titled "Radicalism" enumerates the many organizations in which Italians were involved--Fascist, Socialist, anti-Fascist, and anarchist; such chapters as "Population" and "Demography" offer substantial information on the immigration to and settlement of the United States. With contributions from over 150 scholars, this is a thorough, accessible reference work. Recommended for every library.
-Mark Rotella, Brooklyn, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This work is unique in its content and scholarly in its compilation. It will be useful in many academic and public libraries.
–American Reference Books Annual, 2000

With contributions from over 150 scholars, this is a thorough, accessible reference work. Recommended for every library.
–Library Journal

For anyone wishing to know more about Italian-American heritage...it's in there.
–The Long Island Catholic

...rich mix of articles documenting the experiences and suprisingly varied contributions of Italian Americans. ...user-friendly. The index is particularly detailed and very helpful for quick consultation. Recommended for college and university libraries and for reference deprtments of large public libraries..
–Catholic Library World, July 2000

A thorough, accessible reference work. Recommended for every library. The International History Review.
March 2000

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 735 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815307136
• ISBN-13: 978-0815307136
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,312,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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0 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate, July 1, 2008

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Cosmic Den Mother (Winter Park, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities) (Hardcover)

Apparently, the author did not do very comprehensive research. My great, great grandfather, Francis Henry Forno is listed in this book. However, he was not Italian, he was a Frenchman from New Orleans. As the family genealogist, I find it rather upsetting that future generations could be sent on a wild goose chase looking for our family in the wrong country. I contacted Taylor and Francis two years ago and asked them if there was going to be a re-print, could they please fix this error. It seems they opted not to.