Pennsylvania Books

Provided much information about the Knox Mine. It was a big help with my research paper.

This was very good for my project

I saw this thing happen, and have amazed many people with the story of the Knox Mine Cave In. Having grown up in the Wilkes Barre area,and now living outside of that region,it's great to have a chronological sequence of the events that led to the demise of the deep anthracite mining industry. The book also captures the economic and political realities of the region in times prior to and after the mine disaster. Sheds a lot of light on "powerful" people. Definitely not a witch hunt - factual - lets the reader decide what caused the end of the deep coal mining in the Wyoming Valley

It's about time this book is written. I remember that day very clearly. I was only 11 years old and did not know if my father was alive or dead. Thank God he survived, he was one of the last survivors....John Gadomski and his half brother George Mazur.

I bought this book having seen a copy in the house we were staying in in Italy. We were then inspired to go & see the garden. A very interesting account of the history of the garden & a very accurate representation of what you will see if you visit the garden.

First I must make it clear that I have been interested in Iris Origo for a long time. When I discovered this book, it was a delight because it not only showed a perspective on Iris and Antonio Origo's life, but it contains beautiful photographs and drawings and is a joy to own. I find myself looking it up with the flimsiest of reasons, and enjoy it every time.

This is an excellent book. It bodes one well to have read Iris Origo's autobiography to help understand much of the background of La Foce, although Benedetta Origo does an excellent job of providing background, too. The combination of the estate's background, color photographs and sketches by the authors makes this book an excellent buy, especially if one is interested in Italian gardens and their development. Maps, too, have been included to give one a sense of location. Beautifully done.

La Foce is an attractive Tuscan villa which is presented here in text and pictures. The text offers a picture of one family's history, including interesting archival photographs and drawings. What makes this book truly spectacular, however, are Morna Livingston's photographs, presented in a beautiful layout and printed on a silky white paper which heightens the luminesence of the incredible Tuscan colors. In more than one hundred photographs Livingiston captures the villa's gardens in every light and season. There are stunning images of the broader landscape and fascinating details of both the architecture and the plants. For those who have wondered just what the attraction of Tuscany is, you will find the answer here. For those who already know, this will serve as a reminder.

Wilma Fairbank catched my nurves of impression this time,when I found out there is a book described Liang and Lin's acheivement in English,the only one,an expensive one,but it worthes it.I decided to continually followed Lin's way,to do some research of classical Chinese architecture.I'd never said no to those difficulties since the obstancles always mislead my mind.There is one thing I hopefully didn't lost,a resoluted heart,nothing can move it.I don't care make more money or not,at least I mostly convinced myself to be a person have a pursuit of dreams.You could call me a freak,and I am still on the way to success.Lin and liang are the partners worked together to reach a goal.Unfortunatelly,I am an indepandent loner also emerged in the amazement of exploring a lost world.Thanks for Wilma's book,I could come trough the tunnel of history again.

when two people decide to join hands and make something happen,that kind of unity becomes so powerful. i think that's what makes Liang and Lin memorable. and Mrs. Fairbank's close relationship with them made their life story vivid to the readers. a great book and great people in it.

Lin & Liang are forrunners of contemporary Chinese architecture. Like most idealistic intellectuals of the period, they went out to learn from the west and returned back home to contribute what they had learned.

This is an important trend in modern Chinese history. The long list of intellectuals includes Sun Yat Sen, Liang Qi Chao(the father of Liang)Chao Yuan Ren, Zhou En Lai, Tang Xiao Ping,.... It was a traumatic period for modern China. It was a time of possibilities, opportunities and frustrations.

One could not imagine the archievement and contributions of modern China to the world without these intellectuals.

The stories as told by Madame Wilma Fairbank is descriptive, touching and informative at the same time. Mrs. Fairbank(wife of John Fairbank) is a poet and historian at the same time. The book (text and images)is western journalism at its best.

The most difficult period for Lin & Liang is not Sino-Japanese War period. Although physically, Lin suffered from fleeing around and illness, but their spirit were high and friends were always around.

The most difficult period was after the liberation. Lin & Liang were destined to work with Chairman Mao, the founder of PRC. Based on their fruitful research and intellectual mind, they come up with the conclusion and dedicated their lives to the preservation of Chinese artefacts, and in most cases, Chinese architectural heritage.

As detailed descripted and well put by Madame Fairbank in the book, Lin & Liang travelled all over China and had produced hundreds and thousands of research papers with surveyed plans and photos. Wilma should have known, she joined and lived with them more than once. The Liangs' ideal and proposals to preserve holistically the ancient city of Beijing must had been in conflict with Chairman Mao's ideas. As the founder of PRC, Mao of course, would have his own plans. He believes, to me wrongly, that "Man would defeat Nature". He would like to see factories and other new buildings rising on the horizons of Beijing, Nanjing and everywhere in China.

This should be a matter of opinion. But as we all know, for a long period of time in contemporary China, a different opinion with Mao would be interpreted as a revisionist liner against the Communist Party! That's why Liang suffered so much and Lin died too young to suffer with him.

This is an important historic lesson that we, as a human being should all learn and study. Through the process of modernization, how should we deal with our heritage and nature? Liang proposed to preserve Old Beijing holistically. Beijing, as observed by Liang rightly, is the most complete form of an ancient city in the world! He is not an old man keeping only the 'Olive Tree'. Lin and Liang are genuine Chinese Architects. They proposed to preserve the old city walls and towers so that they could become civi open spaces and landscapes. People can enjoy history and live in history walking through.

Liang's second wife, Madame Lin Zhu said recently,"In the civic society, Liang is respected by many." Well put Madame Lin. (Lin Zhu's piece is included in the book also very moving.)

The problem is, it takes a few thousand years to build a civi society and a civiization, only takes a few second to destroy them. Should we not give deep thoughts to it.

Anyone who want to know more about Liang Si-chen and Lin Hui-yin and their firends should read this book.

To be honest, I feel what make this book so interesting is the life story of Lin and Liang and their friendship with friends, especially the Fairbanks. The Architecture contents are good too, but the life stories of Lin and Liang, two most important pioneers in Ancent Chinese Architecture studies, make the book very charming and worth of reading.

You will know more about the history of 20th century China, before, during and after WWII. You will see how communists grab power in this used-to-be-great country and gradually turn these respectible scholars' life upside down. How they were changed from eager supporter of Chairman Mao's so called 'New China' into losing the minimal hope to live on. This is a great book, written by John F Fairbank's wife, to memorize their true friendship with Liang and Lin.

This is not just another book about architecture. This is a book written with life.

A fine piece of writing. After finishing this book, I looked all over Amazon.com and the Internet hoping to find another book by her on anything, anything at all, just to enjoy more of her superb prose and great insights (unfortunately, I came up with nothing). This excellent read offers great, first-hand views on a fascinating traditional culture at the interface between Tibetan Buddhism from the north and Hindu influences from the south in the heart of Nepal. I loved this book.

If you have been to Nepal, were a Peace Corps Volunteer, or lived in another culture, you will love this book. The people in this Nepali village came alive for me, and the writer was honest about the pleasure and the pain of living in another culture.

It's a shame this book was published by a university press that gave it such a dull academic-sounding title. The story you'll find within its pages is a wonderful eye-opening memoir that takes you deep into daily life in a tiny village in Nepal back in the 1970s--when the traditional way of life had not yet succumbed to the forces of globalization.

The author does what the best authors of memoirs do--she allows herself to become almost a transparent vehicle for you, the reader. You experience at a strange and exotic world peering through her eyes and reading her vivid descriptions. She keeps her analysis to a minimum but shows you enough that you can draw your own conclusions.

When I was done reading this book, the people she had described seemed so real to me it was hard to believe I hadn't met them myself.

Honest, authentic, and completely without the pretentious literary tone that ruins so many current memoirs. A great book!

'Love and Honor in the Himalayas' will appeal to anyone who has ever desired to travel to distant lands and lose (or find) him- or herself in the invigorating freshness of new experiences, cultures, and friendships. Living as the daughter of a Gurung family in a remote Himalayan village in Nepal, McHugh experiences the incredible richness and immediacy of everyday high mountain life. Hers is a perspective unimagined by the casual tourist, and through her wonderfully rendered observations, we are challenged to look beyond our own comfortable Western lives at a culture that deserves our respect and admiration.

Irish Secrets: German Espionage In Wartime Ireland 1939-01945 by Mark M. Hull (Assistant Professor of History, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri) is a 383-page exploration of why World War II German intelligence basically failed in the Irish State, and offers the documented view that the german effort represented a genuine menace to the Allies (including Northern Ireland) as well as the wartime neutrality of the Irish Republic. So much more than a stodgy historical study, Professor Hull offers the reader a truly gripping and comprehensive account of the intelligence war in Ireland and showcases the story of a brilliant, creative, and ultimately successful Irish Military Intelligence in waging a counter-espionage campaign that would overwhelm the German intelligence operations. Strongly recommended for personal and academic World War II Military Studies collections, Trust Yourself To Transform Your Body draws upon newly released intelligence files in several countries, in-depth interviews Professor Hull was able to conduct with surviving participants, and other previously unpublished primary sources.

It's not often that a history book comes along that catches my interest. When first starting to read "Irish Secrets," I thought I would be in for another historical timeline reading. As I kept reading, I was captured with the informative and humorous, yet tragic stories. Mark Hull has put real-life incidents together to tell the truth, whether liked or not. You do not get lost in the first chapter with the events occuring out of place, instead, you are given an understanding of the German Intelligence Service and the tools used to achieve an ultimate outcome of events. For Example: agent basic training, radio transmission secrets, secret inks, a coding system, and the people that were chosen.

I am not educated with this part of history. Frankly, I find it boring in the classroom, but not with "Irish Secrets." You will get to know the people and feel their half achievements and full loss. You will go to Ireland and have landed in the wrong area only to come upon a long hike through the roads, I believe the gent walked about 70 miles...of which he was dressed out of sorts! He is very easily spotted as a foreigner - not too well planned. You'll have illicit affairs, entrapment, thrilling escapes and ultimately see the inside of a jail cell.

This book is beyond a doubt, one of its own kind and should be read for the classroom, but also for pleasure! A simple "Spies Like Us" all the way humor. The classroom reading list should include "Irish Secrets" for scholars to learn a bit of forgotten history and enjoy a well written bit of work on the authors part. Irish Secrets is very well written and thorough in its recalling of a time went wrong. I enjoyed the book from start to finish and urge others to do the same.

This book has amazing insight into the realms of Irish and German espionage history. I found the reading to be thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. Dr. Mark Hull brings a bit of humor into a subject that is difficult to entertain. I have never been an advent reader of any type of historical writings and found that once I started reading, I honestly felt capitivated by the reconstruction of history in this book. Unlike most history books, Dr. Hull has brought to life a writing that is serious in depth of subject, yet could be viewed world wide on a theatre screen as thoroughly enjoyable (James'Bond anyone?).

I would recommend this book for a history class or just for the enjoyment of sitting down on the sofa with a good book and a cup of wine for a relaxing evening at home.

Irish Secrets provides a stunning insight into a now forgotten aspect of the Second World War - Nazi Germany's secret overtures to neutral Ireland, 1939-1945. Berlin sent a "dirty dozen" agents by parachute and U-boat to Ireland, whose wartime leader, Eamon de Valera, was striving to maintain strict neutrality in the face of strong pressure to join the war (mainly from British Premier, Winston Churchill).
Mark Hull, a professor of modern history at St. Louis University, has produced the most detailed study of the agents sent to Ireland by Germany. They included a German circus weight-lifter, an Indian and two South Africans. Most were en route for missions in England, but all were caught and incarcerated in Athlone army camp in the Irish midlands (luckily for them because they would have faced executiion if discovered in wartime Britain).
The most colourful agent by far was Dr Hermann Goertz, who parachuted into Ireland just north of Dublin in 1940. Goertz was wearing his Luftwaffe uniform and medals in the mistaken belief that he would be shot if caught in civilian attire. Goertz who was in his 50s and a First World War veteran, asked a startled Irish farmer if he had landed in Northern Ireland by mistake. The farmer asked the German agent "You wouldn't happen to know Ballivor?" (the nearest village), at which point the conversation abruptly halted as Goertz went on the run.
As Professor Hull points out, Goertz had the most success among the German agents, remaining at large for 18 months. But it's believed that the Irish Army deliberately kept him on a long leash, checking all those with whom he came in contact, including the German ambasador, Dr Eduard Hempel.
Goertz was unsuited to a spying mission, however, and spent his time in prison writing love stories, practising suicide drills, and dreaming about taking over the leadership of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). After his post-war release, he was so alarmed at the prospect of being repatriated to Allied-controlled Germany (he feared he would be tortured to death by the Russians) that he took a cyanide pill and died instantly, in 1947.
Professor Hull's book - which is destined to become a standard work of historical reference - will prove an invaluable read for anyone intersted in recent Irish history, Ireland's historical links with Germany and, in particular, Nazi Germany's attitude to Europe's neutral states (which included Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey).
It is noteworthy that the foreword for Irish Secrets was written by none other than Enno Stephan (the former head of German Radio's French-language service), whose 1963 book "Spies in Ireland" did much of the spadework on this fascinating topic.

(Dr David O'Donoghue, Dublin, Ireland).

This book offers a fantastic tease of a mere few of the outstanding, awe inspiring murals that this organization has produced. It makes me want to hit the streets of Philly to see them up close!

I love seeing these as I travel around and I thought I had seen all of them how wrong I was, buy the book and see what you have missed out seeing.
It is a great gift to some one new to the city in my view.

Beautifully written with gorgeous pictures! A terrific gift or perfect for your coffee table... I had no idea the City's mural arts program was about so much more than art, it is about imroving the lives of the city's youth by beautifying their environment, keeping them off the streets, and providing a constant in often disrupted lives.

What's even more incredible about this book than the first "Philadelphia Murals" - is that they found even more spectacular murals - enough to fill a second book!!! And the stories that go with these murals are as heart-felt as the murals themselves!!!

Treat yourself to this book - well, both books - it is a present you won't ever regret!!! I wish I could buy them for you - I wish I had enough money to buy them for everyone!!!

This book has done something that no other book has ever done for me, made me truly interested in history and anxious to read more. To be perfectly honest this is a subject I am usually not very interested in. Fortunately I was provided this book by a great publishing group -Triad. I knew that it was on my to be read pile, and because it isn't very long thought I would pick it up and "get it over with". Wow, how judgemental can I be, right? Well, thank you Sharon M. Clarke and Vern Firestone for making me see that I literally can't judge a book by it's cover.

To say that being a coal miner is a dangerous job would be an understatement - each year there are over 93 deaths and thousands of injuries. Sharon M. Clarke has written a wonderful story which uses mining as a backdrop for some extraordinary characters, and leads you on a journey that will tug on your heartstrings. It is not one you are soon to forget.

The Evans family have nothing holding them back after Mari loses her
mother, and Rhodri's job at the mine is rendered redundant. They decide that now is as good a time as any to start over, and what better place than America. So they pack a few items and board a ship with their 3 young boys.

Once here they decide that New York is not for them and they settle in New Salem, PA. It is a mining town, which is ok with the Evans' as this is the life that they are accustomed to. Unfortunately, working in the mines was similar to slavery - you arrived here with nothing and the mine set you up with a place to live and the essentials, but you used credit that the mine set up. It became almost impossible to get ahead so you became trapped in a very dangerous and very hard life.

The sorrow that this book exudes is overwhelming at times. I think what makes it so is the fact that this is how people lived their lives. The author has an uncanny ability to weave historical elements into the story, and really make you feel as if you understand what the individuals were going through. Starting with the sinking of the Titanic and the effect that it has on Mari's neighbor and best friend Catherine, to the effects of a heartbreaking loss due to Anthrax, and what emotions are evoked when the oldest boy enlists in the military to fight in WWI.

This story encompasses so much history and brings it to light in such a fantastic way, it was truly a page turner. Many people today, myself included, are not aware of the hardships that these people went through just to survive daily - the children received a knitted scarf and an orange for Christmas gifts and were THRILLED - can you imagine that happening today?

This may be the story of just one family, but we all should be able to read this and see what are ancestors did in order to provide us with the way of living most of us are accustomed to - I am hopeful this will make some of us take stock in our lives and do things that will leave a lasting impact on
our descendents.

I don't give out 5 stars on a book lightly - it doesn't mean that I didn't like the book, in fact I love a lot of books that I only give 4 stars to. It takes a special book to earn 5 stars, and this one has done it. Thanks to Sharon M. Clarke, and hope to read more by you soon!


This book will be raffled off the first week in February. To enter this raffle visit www.uponfurtherreview.org and sign the guestbook underneath any book you are interested in.

As always if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at tracee@uponfurtherreview.org

Mourning Redemption captures a segment of American history with wit, charm, drama and love. This story is as raw as an abusive husband and father, as frightening as the Black Maria bearing her injured, dead and dying coal miners to their families for a final farewell and as tender as young love and a stolen kiss.

From the moment I turned the first page of this marvelous novel, I was drawn into the story of the Evans family, as they crossed the Atlantic to settle in New Salem, a coal mining town in southwest Pennsylvania. Here, the miners are but cogs in the coal mining "machine", endlessly yoked to soaring credit at the company store, poor housing and food and lives filled with hard work, black coal dust and ever present danger. The only chance many have of breaking the vicious cycle lies in the grave and any stolen moments of joy in the interim seem as precious and rare as gemstones.

I was drawn into the forbidden love of "bad boy" Orville Jenkins and Kelly Hennessy, which tugged at my heart strings as a pregnant Kelly was sent packing to Michigan to have her child. As the world goes mad in the midst of the Great War, Orville is filled with dreams of being united with his love and their young son, Morgan, but Kelly dies while he is still overseas and Orville passes on as well, leaving poor Morgan a young orphan. Morgan's return to New Salem on Geraint Evans' broad shoulders heals many wounds, proving to all the resilience of life itself. Despite the incredible struggle and numerous setbacks, life is indeed to be treasured, savored like fine wine and renewed in the eyes of the very young. Like the boys of New Salem, may we swing life's bat with all of our might and grin with delight at every home run. This book is a triumph.

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (2/07)

"Mourning Redemption" places the reader in the lives of a Welsh immigrant family, immediately bringing you in as "one of them" as you follow their lives. Triumphs and misery, happiness and fear, all a part of every day living are brought to you through the pages of this wonderfully written book.

The Evan's family begins their trek to a new world in the early 1900's when the father, Rhodri, makes the decision that it is time to leave their homeland. After his wife, Mari, has experienced many tragedies, the last being the death of her last surviving parent he realizes that even if she doesn't think it's necessary perhaps it's time to move on. He loses his job as a miner, giving them nothing to hold onto but each other and the decision is made to follow suit of many others of those days and go to America.

The family moves to a small mining town in Pennsylvania, where they quickly blend in with other immigrant families and settle into a life of normality. The author takes you through the many happenings of the days, from the sinking of the Titanic and how it affects the family and family friends to the World War, by weaving the bits and pieces of history throughout the storyline. Making you feel as though you are a part of their life, you rejoice in their small wonders and cry with them at their disasters. You realize the astounding difference that one family made in our world, making you realize that perhaps you too have made a difference.

My favorite aspect of the story is a young man named Orville who is basically an outcast to the small town, as both parents are simply nothing more than worthless drunkards. Orville gets just one taste of how a family truly should be when asked to stay for dinner with the Evans family and this one encounter remains with him for the rest of his life. To see how it truly changed the direction of this young man's life, creating a war hero and true gentleman by just this single encounter speaks louder than anything.

Touching, dramatic, simplistic and amazing, the author takes you through a passage of time when the world was constantly changing. Touched by the characters that she creates, so true to life and authentic, you will forever remember the story of the Evans family and the world around them. Absolutely one of the best books I've read in a long time. "Mourning Redemption" is one of those books that just goes along smoothly until you find yourself turning to the last page and thinking "Oh, I want more!"

Sharon M. Clarke has written a story of Welsh immigrants that reminds me of 'How Green Was My Valley' - and that is high praise indeed.
It is a beautiful epic novel that brings us on the journey of the Evans family - Rhodri, his wife, Mari, and their children. Clarke gives us vivid pictures of their journey to America and their experiences in a new country.
The Evans settle in New Salem, PA. It is a mining town. If you had no education and had a family, and wanted to eat, you had two choices - work at the coal mines, or steel mills.
In this area, mining was king. You worked in the mines, they owned you.
You owed them for your housing, the tools you used, the store you got your food from, etc. - By the time they deduct all costs, sometimes you only had pennies for your pay. A hard life.
Mourning follows the events of its time - the Virginia Mine Wars, the sinking of the Titanic, the unrest in Europe, and subsequent start (and horror) of WWI - and Geraint, the oldest of the Evans children's participation in the war.
Clarke also shows us the terror that the Spanish Flu caused - that pandemic claimed millions of lives around the world - including America, and it very poignant given the threats of flu pandemics today.
The scope of this book is amazing.
For those of us who are descendants of immigrants during this time of the early 1900's, this book will touch your heart. It is a story of love, conflict, history and redemption, and it is not to be missed.

Doing research on the Irish Brigade for some writing, This book was just what I needed.

William McCarter was a twenty-one year old Irish immigrant when he enlisted in the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry in August 1862. The unit soon became part of the Second Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, better known as the fabled Irish Brigade and Carter's memoirs, "My Life in the Irish Brigade" has the distinction of being the first full-length memoir published by an enlisted man in the Irish Brigade. McCarter's account covers the brigade from the Seven Day's Battles in which it made its battlefield reputation, to its assault against the Bloody Lane at Antietam, to the charge up Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg where McCarter was gravely wounded and forced to leave the army. Because he was detailed as the personal scribe to General Thomas F. Meagher, commander of the Irish Brigade, McCarter was able to meet and judge the famous generals of the Union Army such as Ambrose Burnside and Winfield Scott Hancock. Kevin E. O'Brien, who has written widely on the Irish Brigade, edits the volume and in addition to his Endnotes he has included several interesting items in the Appendixes, such as the poem "The Irish Dead on Fredericksburg Heights" which was printed in the "Irish-American" in 1863. McCarter's recollections are quite engaging, and his description of the Brigade's actions at the fateful battle of Fredericksburg, where the vast majority of its 1,200 men were killed or wounded, is the best part of the book. If you have more than a passing familiarity with the history of the Irish Brigade, this is an excellent book to give you a unique and fascinating perspective on their glory days during the Civil War. It is also one of the better written memoirs, by enlisted man or general, you will find.

William McCarter's book is quite an interesting tale of his involvment as a private for the famous Irish Brigade. McCarter's vivid descriptions of soldier life, marching, camping, facing cold weather, hard living and the Battle of Fredericksburg was very well done. McCarter missed Antietam although his regiment did face the Confederates at the heights of Fredericksburg. McCarter tells such a facinating, informative, sad, happy, yet chilling story at times during his soldier career that it was hard to put this book down. His vivid story of Fredericksburg and how the brigade battled it out, how he was injured and how he escaped death while suffering upon the battlefield was certainly the best part of the book. I wish more soldier accounts were written as well as this one as this book is one of the better books I've read that tells a soldier's story. 5 STARS!

The Civil War has always been of great interest to me. Consequently, when I find a book that tells of real-life experiences coming directly from the pen of the man who experienced the things he wrote about, I am automatically interested. Private McCarter wrote candidly of what he witnessed, felt and thought while in the Irish Brigade. His book is easy to understand and evokes vivid mental pictures of the scenes he describes. He seemed to be an educated, good-hearted man who, if he was alive today, I would love to meet.

I found this book inspirational.The tips are well worth the price of the book. Excellent photos and illustrations.
Thanks,
Nancy

I found that the artwork is beautifully featured in this book and many of today's finest potters' work can be viewed. In particular, I truly enjoyed Ostermann's feature on up and coming Ontario potter-Richard Mund. His beautifully decorated work makes this book a new favorite for reference, inspiration and knowledge.

While I prefer traditional Italian maiolica to contemporary, this book is still excellent. It is filled with glaze recipes and practical technical information. This book is worth it's purchase price just for it's 8 page Troubleshooting chapter.

I recently purchased four or five books on ceramics. This was by far my favorite. The beautiful work is inspiring and well presented with clear how to information. He even shows what brushes he uses for each and every stroke.

Mary Cappello's "Nightbloom" presents a poignant and often lyrical portrait of her early life in a working-class Italian-American community. However, she displays a blind spot when casting her gaze towards Sicilian culture. Granted, her Sicilian father was abusive, uneducated and excessively macho, but not all Sicilians have these negative qualities. While most were very poor when they first came to the United States, they brought with them a rich cultural and ethnic heritage with Arab, French, German,Greek, Italian, Jewish, Norman and Spanish roots. Contrary to the popular Mafia stereotype, most came from agrarian backgrounds which nurtured a solid work ethic that enabled them to develop high educational and socioeconomic goals. For this reason, I take issue with Cappello's subtle generalization that most Sicilians are like her father's relatives who jokingly referred to a bust of Giuseppe Verdi as "Joe Green." Most of the second and third generation Sicilians in my large extended family are intelligent upward strivers who would find this denigration of Verdi embarrassing.
Capello rationalizes her own embarrassment about this by claiming that her relatives were engaging in a "parodic" approach to high culture. This is indisputable from the perspective of sophisticated cultural theories that analyze the relationship between "high" and "low" cultures. Yet from another equally valid viewpoint, Cappello's relatives blindly ridiculed an important composer about whom they knew very little.

Cappello tries to take a culturally relativistic stance when she says that when she was younger she had "naively" and "studpidly" regarded her Sicilian relatives as less intellectual and "cultured" than other Italian groups. Yet, while she claims to believe that all groups produce their own interesting cultures, she clearly identifies more with her mother's more creatively gifted and intellectually ambitious Neapolitan family. Both Cappello's younger and current self seem to long to participate in the elite culture that many academics in the humanities feign indifference towards, but secretly admire and desire.

Capello's stereotypes of Catholicism are as troublesome as her tendency to slight Sicilians. While Catholicism at its worst presents authoritarian and tyrannical priests and nuns who peddle morally narrow attitudes, the Church is based on a rich intellectual tradition that often offers interesting alternative views to mainstream Protestantism. Fascinated by Catholicism's
intellectual coherence and spiritual power, many wealthy New England women from the late nineteenth until the mid-twentieth century shocked their Brahman families by converting to this religion.

The nasty, neurotic nuns that Cappello encountered in a Catholic elementary school during the late 1960's, should never have entered the teaching profession. During the 1970's, I had many similarly mean, caustic and bullying teachers in a public elementary school that had progressive pretensions. Many Catholic schools that guided immigrants into the middle class were led by intelligent and sensitive individuals who were far different from those that Cappello describes. Capello's represenation of Catholicism only in terms of its worst elements is not only inaccurate, but provides grist for the mill for those who stereotype this religion as ignorant, irrational and pathological.

"Nightbloom" is worth reading because Cappello presents many provocative reflections on her Italian-American experience. Nonetheless, her observations of Sicilian-Americans and Catholicism are often simplistic. For a more compelling discussion of the class issues faced by second and third generation descendents of southern Italians, read Maria Laurino's "Were You Always an Italian: Ancestors and Other Icons of Italian America." Laurino describes in more detail the class issues that upward striving southern Italians have faced and often continue to confront in American society.

In a very poetic way, Mary invites us on a journey into herItalian-American heritage. We learn first hand, through the writingsof her grandfather, the life of first-generation Italians struggling to make a living in America. I was deeply impressed how Mary is able to see the strengths as well as the human frailties in her family members; in spite of the suffering, there is much to remember and honor. The themes in many ways are universal, and I felt a deep reverence and importance to understanding my own ancestral heritage. I kept having an image of a weaver weaving life currents - her ancestor's stuggles to survive, Mary's life with her violent-tempered father and agoraphobic mother, and her own journey to understanding who she is as a lesbian academic rising beyond the working class - with each individual thread important to the beauty of the tapestry. This book is poet psychology and is must reading for those who search for meaning and importance in their own lives. It is a great read!

Ms. Cappello has a rare talent for illuminating the complex -- and bringing out the poetic in the everyday -- nature of family and its effects on self. Her autobiography is an intimate view of her self actualization as a scholar, lesbian, and human being in the contextof her Italian American upbringing. Even though this is a very self directed work, it continues to push the reader to understand his or her own context and self. A very beautiful work.

I really enjoyed reading this memoir. Although the background is Italian-immigrant, the essays and stories are univeral in terms of how we integrate and transcend our past. The book is like watching a weaver working all the individual threads and colors that come together in a unique pattern. Mary weaves her story and the stories of her parents, siblings, and grandparent together and shows that we truly are a product of our cultures, what we become can and should never be separated from our heritage, and that beauty exists even in the darkest memories. Mary tells a story that ends with no ending; likewise, our own stories blossom as we search into our past. The book reads in some places like a journal; it is always poetic psychology, exploring her mothers agoraphobia, her fathers violent temperament, and her own process of discovering her self as a lesbian woman moving up from the working class in which she was immersed.

I highly recommend the book; it is a sweet complement to anyone's own process of self-discovery. ((: