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Sons of Italy Releases Spring 2006 Book Club Selections
Press
Contact: Kylie Cafiero, (202) 547-2900 kcafiero@osia.org
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - April 5, 2006 Grab a book, and go out and enjoy the warm spring air with the Sons of Italy Book Club selections. Take the walk of a lifetime with Francis of Assisi, learn about the historic tradition behind the Sicilian cart or brush up on Italian history and culture.
• On
the Road with Francis of Assisi: A timeless journey
through Umbria and Tuscany, and Beyond by
Linda Bird Francke. For more than 20 years, Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) crisscrossed Italy and the Mid-East on his way to sainthood. The spoiled son of a rich merchant, Francis wasted his youth, was captured in a war with Pisa and finally underwent a religious conversion, embracing poverty. Author Francke visits all the towns and villages where the Saint performed his miracles and recounts the many stories about this extraordinary man and his time. [$25.95; hardcover; 288 pages; Random House]
• History on the Road: The Painted Carts
of Sicily by Marcella Croce
and Miora F. Harris. The first book ever published in English about the painted carts of Sicily, History
on the Road explores the history, art and cultural significance of these decorated carretti that once traveled Sicily's country roads by the thousands, carrying passengers, food, wine and other cargo. In the two centuries since their creation, Sicilian carts have been decorated with everything from images of the saints, and Charlemagne and his knights to opera scenes, Napoleon, Columbus and even Mussolini. The book also features which museums have the best examples and where to buy the carts. Richly illustrated with more than 100 photographs and designs. [$19.95; paperback; 140 pages; Pogo Press]
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History
and Culture by Gabrille Euvino
with Michael San Filippo.
Did you know that in Italy today more women than
men are in college and in the workforce? Or that
the structure of the Electoral College used to elect
the U.S. president can be traced to the Roman republic?
These and other interesting facts are in The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Italian History and Culture. It
begins with the Romans and Etruscans and ends with
inspiring stories of Italian immigrants and their
cultural impact on America. A good reference book
for all things Italian. [$18.95; paperback; 408 pages;
Alpha]
ALSO
WORTH READING…
• The
Spear of Lepanto: The Papal Prize
By Leon
J. Radomile
This adventure novel, set in Italy, presents
Leonardo Radolowick, a 16th century "Indiana
Jones," searching for
the spear that pierced the crucified Christ-a
sacred relic that Pope Pius V believes
will decide the fate of Christian Europe fighting the
Ottoman Turks in 1570. [$19.95; paperback; 335 pages;
Vincero Enterprises: 415-883-1545]
• Home to Italy
By Peter Pezzelli
In this novel of loss and renewal
set in Abruzzo, Peppi leaves the home he made in Rhode
Island after losing his wife and heads back to Italy
and his childhood village. There he's reunited
with his best friend, meets a fiery new
woman and, with help from family, friends
and Italy's legendary zest for life, gets
a second chance at happiness. [$14.00;
paperback; 274 pages; Kensington Publishing
Corporation]
• Beyond Bagheria
By E.P. Vallone
In 1918, the deadly Spanish flu swept through the Sicilian
town of Bagheria, leaving young Isabella an orphan. In desperate straits,
she accepts a marriage proposal that brings her to New Orleans and
involves her in a whirlpool of greed, power and prejudice. Based on
a true story, this young immigrant learns her dreams are very different
from the reality of life in America. [$19.95; paperback; 206 pages;
PublishAmerica]
The
Sons of Italy National Book Club is dedicated
to the works of writers who focus on Italian American
issues, themes, experiences and Italian culture.
OSIA chooses three to four fiction and non-fiction
books each quarter for a total of 12 to 16 titles
a year.
OSIA encourages its 700+ lodges as well
as other Italian American organizations, clubs
and individuals to choose one or more of the
books each quarter to read and donate copies to their
local schools or public libraries.
Most book club
selections can be bought on the OSIA Web site (www.osia.org).
Order
all your books, magazines, etc. through OSIA and Amazon.com.
Just go to www.osia.org, click on "Sons of Italy Book
Club" and
choose either a Book Club selection or another book or product.
Most orders are shipped within 24 hours.
As a special bonus, Amazon.com
will donate a percentage of all sales ordered on
our site to OSIA.
OSIA is the largest
and oldest national organization
in the U.S. for men and women
of Italian heritage in the
United States. It has more
than 600,000 members and
supporters and a network
of more than 700 chapters
coast to coast. OSIA works
at the community, national
and international levels
to promote the heritage and
culture of an estimated 26
million Italian Americans,
the nation's fifth largest
ethnic group, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau.
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