This volume includes the proceedings of the symposium of the American Italian Historical Association on the theme "Italian-Americans in a Multicultural Society." It joins the national conversation on multiculturalism. The articles take various positions on multiculturalism and offer a stimulating array of perspectives on how Italians in America have been affected by one of the most culturally diverse societies in human history.

Here are vivid evocations of New York’s Little Italy and San Francisco’s Italian community around Fisherman’s Wharf, along with the warm family life and neighborhood festivals, the wonderful Italian cuisine, the merchants and tradesmen, the underworld figures, the political leaders, and much more. Brief biographies touch on the lives of physicist Enrico Fermi, politicians Fiorello LaGuardia and Rudolph Giuliani, sportsman Joe DiMaggio, and many others.

Ann’s journey to learn about her Italian heritage evolved into loving Italy with its wondrous food, medieval stone villages built into the sides of mountains, the colorful confetti shops in Sulmona, the tartufo festival in Succiano, the town celebration of Feragosto, and the festas in Goriano Valli.

In this spirited memoir, veteran TV journalist Paul Paolicelli does what many of us can only dream of--he picks up and moves to a foreign country in an attempt to trace his ancestral roots. With the help of Luigi, his guide and companion, he travels through Italy--Rome, Gamberale, Matera, Miglionico, Alessandria, even Mussolini's hometown of Predappio--and discovers the tragic legacy of the Second World War that is still affecting the Old Country.

During World War II, young Vincent Iezzi was at home with his grandmother in his Philadelphia neighborhood. Because of the war effort, most of the mothers, big sisters, and aunts were working in the factories while most of the fathers, big brothers, and uncles were off at war.

Nonna always knew just what to say. Gifted with a native ability to tell stories, her solution for every one of Vincent’s questions or problems was another elaborate story, accompanied by cups of coffee sweetened with war-rationed brown sugar and milk.

And such stories they are!

From the early Italian adventurers who played an important role in the European expansion across the Atlantic to the political and business leaders of the 1990s, this book tells a dramatic story. The heart of the story is the mass migration that took place between 1880 and 1924, when a whole culture left its ancient roots to settle in the cities and towns of America.

From the neoclassicism of Thomas Jefferson’s design of Monticello and sketches of the White House, to "al’italiana" gardens and parks, to the strong Roman classicism of the Jefferson Memorial, to Constantino Brumidi’s frescoes in Congress and the National Library, to the striking composition of Luigi Moretti’s Watergate Complex—America’s capital is infused with the influences of a culture that laid the foundations of Western society.

At the beginning of World War II, Italian citizens living in the United States were referred to as ìEnemy Aliens.î Yet hundreds of young Italian Americans flocked to recruiting stations, and over 500,000óperhaps as many as 1.5 millionóserved in the military during the war. Despite the difficulties they faced, including the possibility of having to fight against Italians, countless Italian Americans received decorations for bravery, fourteen of whom received the Medal of Honor. ÝÝItalian Americans in World War II offers their stories, which, for the most part, have yet to be told.

35th Conference of the American Italian Historical Association . "'Italian Americans and World War II,' explores many facets of the dynamic period of the 1940s and the consequences of war and peace. Scholars within AIHA and outside the academy have been slow to recognize the significance of World War II, now recognized as a seminal event in Italian-American life and culture. . . . "This volume is dedicated to all Italian Americans who lived and died, fought and prayed during World War II." - Gary R. Mormino, Frank E.

A compelling social history of a vibrant immigrant community, told through interviews and photographs.

Raised Italian-American remembers the history, stories, traditions, and values of growing up in an Italian neighborhood.