Growing Up Italian-American: The Memoirs of Ferdinand Visco & The Stories of Two Immigrant Italian Families --- Heritage Edition - Softcover

Visco M.D., Ferdinand J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1548530921 ISBN 13: 9781548530921

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017

Synopsis

"A wonderful book that deserves a spot in every Italian American’s library." — Johnson Reviews
"A great book and a must read" — Hammond Reviews
Updated in 2026, this reader-friendly comprehensive exploration of the Italian American Experience features first person stories, hundreds of photographs and illustrations, Italian proverbs and advice, a glossary, and 24 family recipes. "Growing Up Italian American" makes the perfect gift!
See the Video Reviews (found below).

Learn what every Italian American should know:

• Why did our ancestors leave Italy in the early 1900s?
• What hardships did our ancestors endure during their voyage to America?
• How were they processed at Ellis Island?
• Why are there so many Our Lady of Mt. Carmel churches in America?
• What were our ancestors' first impressions of New York City?
• What were the requirements for naturalization in the early 1900s?
• What was life like for Italian Americans in the early 1900s and during WW II?
• What did many of our ancestors believe were the antidotes to anti-Italian discrimination?
• Why did many Sicilians emigrate to New Orleans and how did they contribute to the creation of Dixieland Jazz?
• What is the meaning of "The Birds of Passage," "Il Mezzogiorno," "Il Campanilismo," "Omerta," and "La Mano Nera?"
• When do Italians eat lentils?
• What do Italians do when they say, "Via il vecchio, benvenuto al nuovo?"
• What is La Tavola di San Giuseppe and what are "Lucky Beans?"
• What is the significance of the Divine Comedy?
• Who is Pulcinella, and who was Farfariello?
• Who were Filippo Mazzei, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Antonio Meucci, Joe Petrosino, Amedeo Giannini, Generoso Pope, Sacco and Vanzetti, and Mother Cabrini?
• What is the origin of the song "Caruso?"
• How do you play "Tombola Napoletana" and the hand game "Morra?"
• Why do Italians give out candy-coated almonds at weddings?
• What do the expressions, "La vecchiaia e' una carogna, ma per chi non ci arriva e' una vergogna," "Non morire finche' non sei morto davvero," "Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi," "Fare la scarpetta," "Pippiare," and "Non affogare in un bicchier d' acqua" mean?
• What is "C'e' La Luna Mezzo Mare," all about?
• What Italian values and customs were responsible for the Roseto Effect?
• In what ways did Italians shape Western civilization and leave their mark on America?
• What do Mare Nostrum, Pax Romana, Alvus Gladio Fortior, and SPQR mean?
• What is the difference between Sauce and Gravy?
• What is Italian Folk Medicine, and who are the Benedetti?
• How do you ward off, diagnose, and treat the "Malocchio?"
• Why is 17 and not 13 unlucky in Italy?
• What is a Neapolitan protection curse?
• What did Frank Sinatra say about being an Italian American?
• Which Italian saint can help you sell a house, and which one can help you climb up the corporate ladder?
• What rhyming prayer to St. Anthony is used to find a missing object?
• What are the attributes of typical Italian wines?
• What are authentic recipes for Ragu, Polpette, Braciole, Pizza Rustica, Struffoli, and Ricotta Cheesecake?

Discover the answers to these questions and much more in this unique 450-page book.

Try the recipes. Relive the memories and keep the traditions alive!
On a desktop? Click “Read Sample” to view the Table of Contents and first 34 pages.
On a smartphone? Click "Editorial Reviews" (found above).
Visit us on Facebook: Growing Up Italian American Book Page & Book Group

About this title

About the Author

Ferdinand J. Visco MD is Chief Emeritus of the Division of Cardiology at Metropolitan Hospital Center in Manhattan and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the City University of New York. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York, Inc., and Is the author of the critically acclaimed book, "Growing Up Italian American. Dr. Visco was formerly Chief of Cardiology at Metropolitan Hospital and at St. John's Queens Hospital in Elmhurst, N.Y. Born in Brooklyn and raised in College Point, Queens, Dr. Visco went to college at Fairfield University in Connecticut. He later spent six years living in Italy, earning his medical degree from the University of Padua. Currently, Dr. Visco resides in New York City, and his passion is the study, preservation, and dissemination of Italian American history, tradition, and culture.

From the Back Cover

<b>"</b><b>A unique book that deserves a spot in every Italian American's library." </b><b>Johnson Reviews</b><br><br>"...<b>there is much to learn as Dr. Ferdinand Visco celebrates Italian culture..." Salvatore J. LaGumina, Ph. D. </b>Director, Center for Italian American Studies, Nassau Community College<br><br><b>"Growing Up Italian American is a wealth of knowledge. It is an exceptional read, much more than a memoir. The Author doesn't miss much." </b><br><b>Linda Brinkley's Book Corner - </b>Italian American Heritage Foundation, San Jose, CA.<br><br><b>"An Amazing Tour de Force in the Journey of Italian Americans." </b><br><b>Anthony LoFaso </b>- Author of "The History of The Village of Yorkville."<br><br><b>"Dr. Visco has created a stunningly detailed unique and beautiful contribution to American Literature." </b><br><b>Francis N. Elmi, Ph.D.</b> - Professor Emeritus, City University of New York<br><br><b>"A beautifully written book that was hard to put down. It is everyone's story, and I invite everybody to read it</b><b>." </b><br><b>Cav. Josephine A. Buscaglia Maietta</b> - President of the Assoc. of Italian American Educators, Radio Host &amp; Producer of Sabato Italiano WRHU (Hofstra University)<br><br><b>"...An authentic portrait of the Italian American immigrant experience." </b><br><b>Cav. Gilda Rorro, Ed.D. </b>- Honorary Vice Consul for Italy, Author of "Gilda Promise Me"<br><br><b>"It's an amazing book. This book needed to be written. True stories of good people. Parts are laugh-out-loud funny, and it contains great recipes too."</b><br><b>Bill Russo</b> - Historian, Host of the Bill Russo Radio Show<br><br><b>"Whether you grew up in NYC, Philly, Boston, or any other immigrant Italian neighborhood in the world, this book is for you." </b><br><b>Bob Sorrentino </b>- Host of the Italian Roots and Genealogy Podcast. Author of "Farmers and Nobles: The Genealogy History of Two Italian American Families."<br><br>"<b>Excellent, solid research and compelling stories." </b><br><b>Stephanie Longo, Ph.D.</b> - Author of "Italians of Lackawanna County," Associate Producer and Chief Administrative Officer of The Italian American Podcast

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1548530921
• ISBN 13: 9781548530921
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 450