Customer Reviews

Only in America: From Immigrant to CEO

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is fascinating. It's an interesting story to begin with, and is handled with skillful pace. Anyone concerned about getting bogged down with the nuts and bolts of the corporate world need not worry. This part is intriguing, colorful, and just thorough enough. All the people in this book come alive. When I finished, I wanted more! I thought I would like the book, but it greatly exceeded my expectations. I do not think Paul Oreffice exaggerated any aspect of it, and it still reads like a very spritely novel. High, high marks!

While I am personally familiar with the author and was expecting an interesting book, I had no idea what an emotional thriller some sections would be. Mr. Oreffice was very generous in revealing his emotions, both about the hardships and fears visited upon his family and about the intimate feelings back and forth between himself and his family, especially his father.

It is appropriate that World War II receives so much attention, both from the fact that it was such an overriding influence on people of his generation and from the plain story telling reality that those stories are more compelling than business stories. The tale of his cousin who leapt from a train nearing a death camp is one of the most gripping stories of its kind I have ever read.

The balance is perfect. The lengthy business career is dealt with well, but not in too much detail. Yet, it provides for a full appreciation for the remarkable accomplishments.

All in all, the book celebrates its rather ambitious title and does justice to it. The jacket design is inspired, as that sweet little fact looking back from darkness evokes the Anne Frank images. Thus, to a reader of a certain age, an aura is created before the first page; then that opening story about a little boy wondering where his father was and beginning to learn about how adults struggle to protect children gets the book off to a stunning start.

The images of Mussolini and his troops are chilling, and yet Paul can go to the pleasant tales of his horsemanship without one hindering the other.

With the autobiography complete, we can only hope for a follow-up book made up of more randomly selected tales.

I have known Paul Oreffice for a number of years, throughout which I have come to know him as a truly remarkable, caring, and sincere individual. In addition to being an interesting story, his book is a lesson in history, perseverance, integrity, common sense, and humility. I am confident that readers will find his book to be as fascinating and inspiring as the man who wrote it.

The best book I've read in a long long time. A wonderful history lesson as well as providing many important lessons of life. It is extremely well written and reads like a novel. I've sent copies to all of my children to help them put present day events and their personal experiences in perspective.

The author takes you on a wonderful journey from Fascist Italy to South America back to Spain and then to America's conservative Heartland.
It truly represents what one can accomplish in this wonderful country if one takes advantage of the opportunities.

There is an important chord that runs throughout the book in that it represents the zeal and drive that this ambitious, intellegent young man
had to honor his father who he admired for his courage, determination,
vision and intelligence.

The book is well worth the read.
H.W.Henry
San Marcos, TX

A book that's impossible to put down! The true story of a pre-teen growing up in fascist Italy reads like fiction as it covers the imprisonment and torture of Paul Oreffice's outspoken and courageous father and his family's subsequent escape from Italy just a week prior to Mussolini's crackdown on all future emigration. The lessons that Oreffice learns from his parents and other caring adults
in the country of his birth stand him in good stead as he conquers all obstacles during his meteoric rise in becoming CEO of one of America's corporate giants. An inspirational read!

A heartening account of an incredible journey. A book I recommend to people of all ages and backgrounds. Paul Oreffice's life emphasizes the importance of family - both immediate and extended. He reminds us to be thankful for the great country we call home. Never give up hope, take a chance and don't be afraid to fail are trademarks of our leaders. People like Paul have molded our country into what it is today!

This is an unlikely, but intriguing journey from a boyhood in Fascist Italy - to Ecuador - to the United States to become CEO of a powerful American company.

This journey required courage, inspiration, determination and perserverance!

The author's Ten Tips for Success could well be followed by any young person starting a career today. An excellent, motivational read.

A wonderful story of an immigrant boy who escaped Facist Italy, migrated to the United States and through his persistence rose to the position of President and CEO of the largest multinational chemical company. The book takes you on a jouney of the authors boyhood, his many positions during his career, and culminates in his being named to the highest position in the multinational company.

I have the rare privilege of knowing Paul Oreffice and his book is a must-read for anyone who has become alienated from "The American Dream". Paul shows that dreams really can and do come true if you work hard enough and smart enough. His book is also a modern day cautionary tale of what happens when we take our wonderful freedoms for granted. Paul has lived through fascism and survived, with the close-knit love of a proud, loving and visionary father and a enormously devoted mother. If you need to rekindle that lost spark of optimism in our country and the opportunities that await you, let Paul's story guide you from the depths of danger and hard times to the pinnacle of success and "the good life". I encourage you to buy this book!