I found this book enlightening and detailed with regard to a general history, but feel in some areas actual research was set aside in favor of simply Regurgitating earlier accounts and that was incredibly disappointing.
I have been doing research on some Italian families and discovered that this book had an entire page devoted to one Salvatore Pampinella and his failed Italian colony in Alabama. I located more than 40 articles about this venture, and yet, this book relied entirely on a report by Adolpho Rossi, never checking to see if it was an accurate account.
The writers focused on Salvatore's failure, yet his only fault was to Dream Big. He had the backing of WL Henderson of the Southern Railway, who promised a new railroad station would be constructed there, TF Costello of the Empire Trust Company promised a new cotton mill would be built there, and a clothing manufacturer also promised to build there. Colonists paid $25 apiece to secure a lot and agreed to work the land. Salvatore sold everything he owned and secured a loans totaling $1855 because he believed in the American Dream. Nothing was built. The railroad reneged on the promises that started the entire venture. Salvatore was murdered a year later, by a disgruntled colonist.
This book Relies solely on Adolpho Rossi, An Immigration specialist, sent by the Italian gov't to inspect Italian colonies in America. Rossi was in Alabama for perhaps a week, and did try to help but Rossi's opinion was that the land was fine; the leader was at fault, end of story. This land has never flourished, though others have tried. The promised railroad station was never built, and thus the factories were never built, the jobs never materialized, and the dreams of a hundred Italian families quashed.
What a travesty that a book dedicated to the Italian American Experience, took such a harsh, and limited view.
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Mr. Charles J. Calderone
good summary of the Italian Immigrant's experiences in America
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2013Verified Purchase
Fred lorusso
It was a sign of the times: people moving ...
Reviewed in Canada on April 23, 2018Verified Purchase
Damiano
Spedizione veloce
Reviewed in Italy on August 4, 2013Verified Purchase
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Satisfied
Reviewed in Canada on June 5, 2020Verified Purchase
