Wednesday, September 12,

Book: "Italians in the Santa Clara Valley"

The ANNOTICO Report

The Santa Clara Valley is a valley just south of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the USA. Much of Santa Clara County, California and its county seat San Jose, are in the Santa Clara Valley. The valley was originally known as the Valley of Heart's Delight for the miles and miles of orchards. Once primarily agricultural because of its highly fertile soil, it is now largely urbanized.

Silicon Valley is roughly synonymous with the Santa Clara Valley, although since the former is as much a state of mind as an actual location, people often refer to parts of the San Francisco Peninsula as being part of Silicon Valley as well. Locally, the Santa Clara Valley is also referred to as the "South Bay." However, the Santa Clara Valley American Viticultural Area remains important.

ITALIANS IN THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY

Author: Frederick W. Marrazzo

 

ISBN: 0738555622

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, 128 pp.

On Sale Date: 10/15/2007

Price: $19.99

Book Description:

 

Attracted by the mild climate and abundance of fertile land, Italians came to the Santa Clara Valley from all regions of Italy, including

Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, Tuscany, and Piedmont.

 

Beginning in the 1880s, the "Eden of the World" beckoned Italian immigrants as farmers, ranchers, orchardists, vegetable growers, and winemakers. Italian men, women, and children filled the numerous canneries and packinghouses supplying the rest of the nation with fresh produce.

 

Once the largest ethnic group in the valley, Italians' impact on the region has been profound, yet is often overlooked. The  photographs in this book present a special glimpse into the lives of a  people whose irrepressible optimism, kindness, and can-do spirit overcame the challenges and obstacles put before them.

 

 

Bio: Frederick W. Marrazzo interviewed over 50 people about growing up as part of the Santa Clara Valley's Italian community. Inspired by a series of interviews Marrazzo did for his public access television program, Cronaca, which means "story" in Italian, he has here gathered

the memorable tales of a forgotten generation, whose values and principles are more relevant than ever. Through this unique collection

of photographs, Marrazzo illustrates how a very diverse Italian population made the Valley of Heart's Delight the community that it was

and has become.

 

The ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (and are Archived) on:

Italia USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com [Formerly Italy at St Louis] (7 years)

Italia Mia: http://www.ItaliaMia.com (3 years)

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net