Newark's Little Italy: The Vanished First Ward [Hardcover]

Michael Immerso (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

Michael Immerso traces the history of the First Ward from the arrival of the first Italian in the 1870s until 1953 when the district was uprooted to make way for urban renewal. Richly illustrated with photographs culled from the albums and shoeboxes in the private collections of hundreds of former First Ward families from all across the United States, the book documents the evolution of the district from a small immigrant quarter into a complex Italian-American neighborhood that thrived during the first half of this century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

NewarkÆs Little Italy, through an extraordinary collection of photographs and accompanying story, makes one feel what it meant to be alive in a community that has now vanished.

(Ben Morreale author of The Loss of the Miraculous and coauthor of La Storia: Five Centurie )

Michael Immerso has made a significant contribution not only to those of Italian-American heritage, but also to all those who care about ethnic and urban history. NewarkÆs Little Italy makes me especially proud as a journalist whose family ÆrootsÆ are firmly planted in the neighborhood.

(Steve Adubato Jr. Emmy award-winning anchor, WNET-TV )

This is a scholarly study, but Immerso includes enough material on the amusements, foods, and unusual characters inhabiting the boardwalk to make it interesting to anyone who has visited the island. Cultural and urban historians should consider this concisely written, thoroughly researched, and profusely illustrated work on ''America''s playground'' required reading.

(Choice )

NewarkÆs Little Italy helped rekindle many fond memories of my childhood growing up in the Old First Ward. The story of NewarkÆs First Ward offers a rare portrait of an Italian immigrant neighborhood. Like other Little Italys across America, the First Ward shaped the lives of several generations of Italian Americans, many of whom went on to become outstanding citizens who have made significant contributions to our nation and the fabric of the American dream.

(Peter Rodino former member, U.S. Congress )

Michael Immerso has drawn a loving, finely detailed, and richly illustrated portrait of everyday lives of Italian immigrants and their children and grandchildren in NewarkÆs First Ward. Through story and image Immerso wants us to hear the cries of peddlers and eel mongers again, to feel the excitement and pride on Eighth Avenue when DiMaggio comes for dinner, and succeeds in a work of deep respect for the memory of Italian Newark.

(Robert Orsi author of Madonna of 115th Street: Faith and Community in Italian Harlem )

àit offers not only a comprehensive overview of the park''s history but also a look into the way late 19-th century American viewed recreation and leisure.

(Sentinel & Enterprise )

Cultural historian and curator Michael Immerso has written an excellent history of Coney Island entitled Coney Island: The People''s Playground. His book contains over 100 vintage photographs which help to evoke the atmosphere of this beloved resort. Immerso''s narrative uses personal accounts, contemporary sources and archival literature to flesh out the story of Coney Island. It is an excellent tribute to working America''s first Disneyland.

(NPR Musings )

Part history book, part pop culture examination, part sociology report, Coney Island: The People''s Playground by Newark native Michael Immerso is an enjoyable asàwell, an amusement park. à Whether the reader is someone who visited the long-ago Coney Island in their youth or someone who never set foot on the famed boardwalk, Coney Island: The People''s Playground is as fascinating as it is informative, as educational as it is amusing.

(Worrall Newspapers )

Coney Island: The People''s Playground is all at once a scholarly examination of America''s pursuit of leisure and a detailed history of amusement and amusements.

(Daily Record )

ItÆs a story that twines the American dreams of immigrants, postwar follies of urban planners, and appreciation of what was lost in the rush to the suburbs.

(Asbury Park Press )

Re-creates a visual history of an era and a way of life long lost.

(Hackensack Sunday Record )

The publication . . . has sparked a wave of pride among Italian Americans.

(North Jersey Newspapers )

From the Back Cover

Michael Immerso traces the history of the First Ward from the arrival of the first Italian in the 1870s until 1953 when the district was uprooted to make way for urban renewal. Richly illustrated with photographs culled from the albums and shoeboxes in the private collections of hundreds of former Firs Ward families all across the United States, the book documents the evolution of the district from a small immigrant quarter into a complex Italian-American neighborhood that thrived during the first half of this century.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813524172
• ISBN-13: 978-0813524177
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Contribution, February 19, 2000

By 

RICHARD DE TRIQUET (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Newark's Little Italy: The Vanished First Ward (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent contribution to both Italian American history and the local history of Newark, New Jersey. I was sceptical in ordering this book via the mail as there are probably only a handful of quality works documenting the Italian experience in America. (Blood of My Blood being one ). Most books, unfortunately, are either embarrassingly superficial or reflect a typical, morbid emphasis on organized crime.

Michael Immerso has crafted an intelligent, well written account of a once vibrant Italian American neighborhood in Newark. His careful tracing of the changes within the First Ward during the first 50 years of the 20th century and then its ultimate demise is complemented by numerous excellent photographs, many of which no doubt came from private family albums. Immerso's examination of the central role of the Catholic Church in the neighborhood is particularly noteworthy. The author's effort is timely as well in view of the fact that all the Depression Era residents of the neighborhood are now aging and as they pass from the scene so will their yet untapped insights.

This is a must read for anyone interested in the immigrant experience in America. It's hoped that books like this will encourage other scholars to explore the countless other local histories waiting to be documented.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was beautifully written and illustrated, November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Newark's Little Italy: The Vanished First Ward (Hardcover)

This book is a must have for any Itlian American whose parents grandparents or themselves grew up in Newark. I was born well after this time and it symbolizes the unity of the Italians during a time that wasn't easy for anyone, let alone Italians.My grandparents tell me stories similar to those accounted for in the book. It was a very special time that our present generations can't appreciate. This book is the closest thing to appreciating the First Ward. I can look at this book over and over and the sense of pride sends shivers down my spine. Il quaderno e' bello!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great job Mr Immerso!, August 8, 2001

By 

Peter Vicinio (Jackson, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Newark's Little Italy: The Vanished First Ward (Hardcover)

My parents are first generation Italians who lived in Newark. I was born in Newark and lived there until I was five years old. To this day my parents still talk of how great Newark was back in those days. I read the book and loved it. I gave it to my mother who also loved it. Great work. I hope Michael Immerso writes a follow up book.