Customer Reviews

Spirit, Wind and Water: The Untold Story of the Jacuzzi Family

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Originating in Friuli, in the far Northeast of Italy (where the dialect contains a "J" -- hence the name), the huge Jacuzzi clan began immigrating to the United States shortly before World War I. One brother, a brilliant inventor named "Rachele," devised the "Toothpick," a super-efficient propeller, which revolutionized the airplane industry. He and his kin then went on launch a series of inventions -- including water pumps, crop-defrosters, and eventually the hydrotherapy devices which bear their name. The whirlpool bath, however, is only one of the countless innovations which changed the way Americans lead their lives. Remo Jacuzzi interviewed almost all of his relatives (including many now departed) and researched every aspect of his family history to compile this inspiring story, almost completely unknown until now, aided by over 175 photographs. The immense contributions of America's immigrants are again underscored in this book.

The Italo-American story has been narrated countless times but seldom
as carefully or with as much charm as this one. Remo Jacuzzi writes about his remarkable family with refreshing candor and incredible attention to detail. He gives each one of these vital, resourceful men and women a strong and poignant voice of their own, as he recounts, with heartfelt affection and respect, their triumphs as well as their tragedies. He has woven the events of this industrious family's history into an intricate and colorful tapestry of the immigrant experience. It is a book well worth reading.

As I read Spirit, Wind & Water, I felt as if I was sitting around the kitchen table with members of the Jacuzzi family, listening to them tell their stories without embellishment and analysis. And what a story! Starting with the grandparents' and parents' life in Italy, to the family's gradual immigration to California, this story covers the inventions and entrepreneurship of the Jacuzzi brothers and their families: the risks, the tragedies, the growth and international successes, the loves, the disappointments, the lifestyles, the family disagreements, and finally, the sale of their namesake company. Remo Jacuzzi concludes with his own family's story and the growth of his own hydrotherapy spa company, Jason (JAcuzziSON) International.

Mr. Jacuzzi has an interesting writing style. His engineering background is apparent by his ability to put over a century's worth of many, many people and events together coherently. By doing this, he achieves the goal of any engineer: he dissects how his family works. Yet he adds quick personal family insights that color in the details, suddenly creating a vivid scene. At one point, Mr. Jacuzzi describes his Ma's garden with a grocery list of flowers that were grown in it. But then he throws in "a statue of the Virgin Mary overlooked Ma's rose garden" and suddenly, I knew exactly what the garden looked like.

Mr. Jacuzzi honors his family in this book; it is obvious it is a family he loves with a history he respects.

I found this book lacking insight in to the Jacuzzi family. The author being a Jacuzzi family member himself, wanted to highlight the accomplishments of his forefathers without disclosing the personal inner workings of the Jacuzzi family. Avid biography/history readers will find this book falls short on many counts. The book serves as a sugar coated history of the Jacuzzi family which will leave serious biography readers sorely disappointed. Though well written, this book smacks of a not so famous Jacuzzi member seeking his 15 minutes of fame by using his forefathers outstanding achievements. For this reason, I cannot recommend this book.

A wonderful read!
A fascinating story with love for the family that shines through as you read this book.
A definite keeper.