Reviewed for H-ITAM (June 2002) by Peter L. Belmonte, U.S. Air Force: Maj
97 TRS/TRQ; and Adjunct Instructor of History, Wayland Baptist University.

Most of the immigrants who came to the United States during the so-called
Great Migration, from 1880-1920s, have passed from the scene.  Most of
them didn't have the means or ability to leave a written record of their life.

That is not the case with their sons and daughters; many members of this
second generation are now beginning to preserve their life's stories for
their kin. Some have ventured into the realm of self-publication in an
effort to pass down their history.  One such book is _Taste and See
Sicily_, by Tony Accurso (privately published, 2002).

In this book, Mr. Accurso, the son of a Sicilian immigrant railroad worker, 
tells his life story, from his boyhood in Iowa, through his service in World 
War II, to his journey to Italy to see the land of his ancestors in the late 1990s.  
About two-thirds of the book is devoted to a detailed account of Mr. 
Accurso's Italian trip, including descriptions and beautiful colored photos of various 
parts of Italy, accounts of his family members in Italy, and wonderful 
descriptions of meals and warm reception he received on arrival in Italy.

While this is interesting, one would have liked to have read more about
Mr. Accurso's life in the 1920s-1940s--during that time, Mr. Accurso, like his
father, worked "on the railroad," first as a track laborer, then as a 
telegrapher and station agent.

The book is handsomely done and is a testimonial to the advances in
"self-publishing" and computer printing.  In addition to a few black and
white and over 50 excellent color photographs, Mr. Accurso includes 
genealogical information and a few facsimilies of ships' passenger manifests 
showing his parents' voyages to the United States.

[RAA Note: Mr. Accurso's parents originally came from Alessandria Della
Rocca, Province of Agrigento, island of Sicily arriving in the USA in 1910. 
The author is 82 years of age, born in Mason City, Iowa.  Now residing in the
happy village of Bancroft, IA. population 800.  

A historical, humorous and spiritual book printed on the highest quality acid 
free paper and easy reading font. The book is of extremely high quality 
materials and workmanship.  A local publisher quoted a price of $50.00 per 
book to have it published. One publisher rejected it saying it had too many 
colored photos which made it too expensive. The book was written as a family 
heirloom and not intended to be a money maker.This is a "Mafia Free" book.  A 
very interesting book and
makes a nice gift for that special Italian friend.] 

One book $25.00 plus $4.00 S&H.-Total $29.00-----  
Use "Annotico Report Discount of 10%"  
Price $22.50 plus $4.00 S&H-- total $26.50--
Order two books, save an additional  $4.00  total Price $45.00 plus $4.00 
S&H.]
Will ship anywhere in USA.
 
Copies of the Book may be obtained by writing to:
A.C. "Tony" Accurso, Author
P. O. Box 406
Bancroft IA 50517
   or email
actony@gotocrystal.net