Monday, October 23, 2006

"The Humble and the Heroic: Wartime Italian Americans" by Salvatore LaGumina

The ANNOTICO Report

 

"The Humble and the Heroic: Wartime Italian Americans"  is the most recent publication by Dr. Salvatore LaGumina, a recognized authority on Italian American history. He has been president of the American Italian Historical Association, has written dozens of scholarly articles, and is author, editor or co-editor of seventeen books, and is a Professor Emeritus of History.

 

It asks two basic questions: Was an extra measure of loyalty and patriotism required of Italian immigrants because the country of their birth was a declared enemy of their adopted country; and, does their WW II experience offer meaningful insights as to how we should treat other immigrant groups in future conflicts?

While the answer to both questions is in the affirmative, the long, arduous, road traveled by the ethnic group has not received the attention it deserves. Their quest for acceptance amidst a path paved with sacrifice, bitter poverty, discrimination, and, for many, the devastating indignity of being designated as enemy aliens, is worthy of scholarly study.

"The Humble and the Heroic: Wartime Italian Americans" reveals both the extensive patriotic efforts of Italian-American soldiers  and what went on within  families behind the headlines of World War II. He documents how an extra loyalty and patriotism was required of Italian immigrants during this wartime because their ancestry connected them to a nation that the USA was fighting against on the battlefield.

 

One of Prof. LaGumina's  most important contributions to date has been "WOP"A Documentary History of Anti-Italian Discrimination (1999).

 

"Vito Marcantino: The People's Politician" (1969) was another important book about an important man to the common people.

 

Other books were: "The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia (1999), "Peripheral Americans" with  Frank J. Cavaioli (1983), "New York at Mid Century: The Impellitteri Years (1992), "The Ethnic Dimension in American Society" with Frank J. Cavaioli  (1976), From Steerage to Suburb: Long Island Italians (1989), "immigrants Speak: the Italian Americans Tell their Story" (1979), and "An Album of the Italian American (1972)

 

THIS IS WHAT ITALIAN AMERICAN LEADERS SAY:

"This is a history that was needed for a long time. Now, writing with accuracy and much acquired wisdom, Sal LaGumina has put it all together for future generations." -  William J. Connell, Professor of History and La Motta Chair in Italian Studies, Seton Hall University

"La Gumina has created a unique pastiche of scholarship and memoir in this reminiscence of life among those Tom Brokaw called "The Greatest Generation". Italian Americas elder statesman show how New Yorks Italians become Americans. These reminiscences are full of information that reward student and scholar alike." - Fred Gardaphe, Director of Italian American Studies, Stony Brook University

"LaGumina undertakes the momentous task of telling the story of Italian Americans during a time of anxiety that marked World War II - a vastly neglected subject. He relates the history a maligned people many of whom were regarded as enemies --but who nevertheless achieved redemption by dint of hard work, selfless sacrifice, and astonishing service as they moved beyond the shadow of suspicion to essential and vital positions within the "greatest generation. This constitutes a major contribution ." - John Marino, Senior Manager of Research & Cultural Affairs,  National Italian American Foundation

"Dr. Salvatore LaGumina has written a seminal account of the Italian American participation in World War II. Comprehensive and readable, it skillfully weaves personal recollections with concrete historical evidence. An indispensable must read." - Salvatore Mondello, Professor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology

"Dr. LaGumina enlivens our spirits and makes real the great sacrifices that Italian Americans made for the safety and security of the world, always asking for little but serving for the cause of democracy. Indeed, they were heroes of the Great Generation, but they were blessed additionally as Italians and Italian Americans, with strong family values and a love for life and family, and a respect. We owe Dr. LaGumina a debt of gratitude for emblazoning in our hearts and minds the memories and realities of the early struggles and travails of our grandparents and how their fruits bore freedom to the world" - Joseph Sciame, National and New York State Past President, Order Sons of Italy in America

"La Gumina weaves first-hand accounts of ordinary and extraordinary Italian Americans with the extensive scholarly research of the period. Though he is a youth growing up in Brooklyn during the war, Professor La Gumina embellishes his story with reactions from Italian Americans to these events, giving a complete historical record. The volume fills a vital gap in the history of first and second generation Italians in America."

"World War II was a time for testing. Italian Americans represented the largest nationality group to participate in the war. Despite experiencing discrimination and prejudice, the sons and daughters of the nearly five million who came to America proved their loyalty and devotion to their adopted country. Also, at the start of the war, 600,000 of them were labeled "enemy aliens" because many of them had not become citizens. Such designation did not prevent their children from fighting for democracy."

"Professor La Gumina explores the dilemma he and his kin faced in fighting Fascist Italy at a time when many of their relatives continued to live in the homeland. Emerging from the Great Depression, his emphasis is on the social aspects in their struggle to achieve full equality. The volume furnishes fuller understanding of the Italian American experience. It also serves as a model for all the newly-arrived immigrants in the Americanization process." - Dr. Frank J. Cavaioli, Emeritus Professor, SUNY, Farmingdale

 

The ANNOTICO Reports

Can be Viewed, and are Archived at:

Italia USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com (Formerly Italy at St Louis)

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net