Portuguese Spinner: An American Story is the first attempt to capture, in popular form, the saga of Portuguese migration and the people's struggle to build a new life in America. This diverse collection includes oral history, folk tales, original literary contributions, scholarly reports and popular journalism. Hundreds of photographs portray the magnificent beauty of the Portuguese islands and the mainland, and take us into the many corners of American life where Luso Americans have left their mark.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...The most substantial book about the Portuguese to come out in 20 years." -- Douglas Wheeler, UNH
"Portuguese Spinner: An American Story is a record of the Portuguese, mainly from the Azores, who settled in New Bedford, Fall River, Fox Point and other environs. Not a history or a sociological study nor memoir nor literature nor photographic essay, it's all of these - and more.
"Portuguese Spinner: An American Story is a record of the Portuguese, mainly from the Azores, who settled in New Bedford, Fall River, Fox Point and other environs. Not a history or a sociological study nor memoir nor literature nor photographic essay, it's all of these - and more.
It is, on many levels, the story of all immigrants. And yet, it has a flavor unique to the Portuguese, heavy with the scent of the islands. For the rest of us, it is a window onto a people who live among us in great numbers, but who we hardly know.
At it's heart a giant family scrapbook, a sprawling collage of haunting images and starkly authentic words from several generations, in which the Old World collides with the new on nearly every page." -- Providence Journal
"At its heart a giant family scrapbook, a collage of hauning images and words..." -- Providence Journal
From the Publisher
"Here's a publication with almost as many authors as there are pages, a glossy coffee table book designed for this states Portuguese communities but certainly a major literary effort that will interest most readers regardless of ethnic background.
"Portuguese Spinner: An American Story is truly a community endeavor involving editors, writers, photographers, interviewers and researchers, it tells a story that in a paradoxical sense is both old and new.
"It is new because it focuses on persons of a Portuguese descent who left their homes in Portugal, the Azores, the Madeiras or other islands to settle on Cape Cod or in nearby cities. It is old because while the characters have changed, the story has been told before, the always remarkable tale of impoverished immigrants leaving their homes in foreign lands, seeking and usually achieving a better life in America.
"With a detailed bibliography, index and numerous rare photographs complementing the lyrical and often humorous oral histories, Portuguese Spinner is truly a one-volume library, to be read and treasured."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A major accomplishment,
By A Customer
This review is from: Portuguese Spinner: An American Story (Paperback)
As an immigrant from St. Michael, Azores, who was raised in the south end of New Bedford, Massachusetts, one might think I had little to gain from a book describing my "roots," but quite the opposite was true. Every morning I read a few pages with my coffee and almost every morning I found myself teary-eyed and nostalgic. My emotional reaction to the book came from feelings of compassion, pride and a deep understanding that was stirred by the stories, cases, and historical background so beautifully captured by the writers and editors. The photography is wonderful as well. I've now purchased three copies of this book and expect to still buy more. I want to share it with family and friends and don't want to give up my copy so I'll keep buying them as gifts. My sister, who still lives in Portugal, said that if this book were translated into Portuguese, it would be well-received in Europe and Brazil. I know my parents, who are non-English speakers, would enjoy it thoroughly if it were translated. Meanwhile, I shall treasure it both as a remarkable example of documentation of the immigrant experience and as a personal reminder of my heritage. Non-Portuguese friends of mine have also found it fascinating and a valuable contribution to an often ignored aspect of American history. Many kudos (and much gratitude) to the editors and publishers for a major accomplishment.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Portuguese Spinner, Is The Best book That I've Ever Read!,
By Olivia Rosa Silva Strittmatter (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Portuguese Spinner: An American Story (Paperback)
The Portugues Spinner, was the best book that I've ever read and it took me, only a few days to read it and I've never read this fast before { I just couldn't put the book down ]! My ancestors came from Sao Miquel and Sao Jorge, Acores and lived in New Bedford, Mass. I was born in New Bedford and this book brought back so many memories of living there and I still remember lots of those places. I went to Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church and School! The pictures were Great and it was wonderful reading about your own town like that. I also worked at the factory that was mentioned in the book when I was only 16 yrs.old. I will pass this book along to my children so, they can enjoy it too! Thank you so much! Sincerely, Mrs. Olivia Rosa Silva Strittmatter Tucson, Arizona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Found Some Neat Surprises!,
By P. McCoy "Friend of Bill W. and Dr. Bob" (Greenbelt, MD United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Portuguese Spinner: An American Story (Paperback)
I also ordered this book as part of my research into the family tree of a friend given that I had traced his heritage to the New England area. Imagine my surprise and delight when I realized that part of my friend's family are featured on the cover and found an additional photo of his grandmother and his aunt within the book!!! He was stunned when I showed them to him and explained what I had learned about the new-found relatives he never knew he had until now. Finding gold like this makes researching FUN!
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