Beyond the Godfather

Rating:
Summary: Book is a hodgepodge, more bad than good
Review: Despite its title, this volume does not take us beyond "The Godfather." It indiscriminately mixes essays by writers who understand the Italian American experience (such as Richard Gambino) with those who only pretend to (such as Gay Talese) and those who actually despise their heritage (such as Marianna De Marco Torgovnick). As such, it does a poor job of countering negative stereotypes.

Rating:
Summary: A long-awaited book that does not disappoint
Review: Prominent voices from across the spectrum of Italian America have joined forces in producing a new collaboration, an exceptional and readable book, "Beyond The Godfather: Italian American Writers on the Real Italian American Experience." "Beyond the Godfather" consists of twenty-three essays, featuring the contributions of noted authors Gay Talese, Marianna De Marco Torgovnick, and Frank Lentricchia; former New York first lady Matilda Cuomo; college presidents Claire Gaudiani and John Agresto; as well as Italian-American academicians Richard Gambino, Rudolph J. Vecoli, Anthony J. Tamburri, and Joseph V. Scelsa. The book was edited by A. Kenneth Ciongoli, the president of the National Italian American Foundation, together with poet Jay Parini.In his incisive essay in the book, "Crisis of Italian American Identity," Richard Gambino writes that Italian Americans find themselves in a "surrealistic state of being," in that who we are is defined by the inauthentic myths and distortions created by movies, television shows, and popular culture in general.Gambino's thesis underscores exactly why "Beyond the Godfather" was created. This book is a means by talented writers to reclaim control over our heritage by defining it in authentic, genuine terms.Haven't prominent Italian-American organizations as well as publications such as "Voices in Italian Americana" and "Fra Noi" been setting the record straight about our heritage for many years? Why is this book so special?The answer to both questions lies in who is listening. Yes, organizations and publications have succeeded in promoting positive, truthful images of Italian Americans. But you know as well as I do, that for the most part, Italian-American groups preach to the converted. Rarely do organizations and publications go beyond their members and subscribers to actively participate and change how mainstream America perceives our heritage."Beyond the Godfather" is different for this very reason: "Beyond the Godfather" will be read by issue makers. You see, when Gay Talese or Jay Parini writes something, the literary elite (publishers, editors, and prominent authors) read it. The literary elite, because they have a large say in what books are published, have a large say in what mainstream Americans read, and thus are gatekeepers of what Americans are talking about and thinking about.Indeed, "Beyond the Godfather" will be read by the literary elite, and as they discover the real Italian American experience, they will be open to more books and works dealing with a truthful Italian-American portrayal.However, we Italian Americans, we reluctant warriors who join Italian-American organizations and read Italian-American newspapers, we can't let the literary elite off the hook so easily. The literary elite are in the business of books, and they look to the bottom line just like everybody else. Consequently, we need to actively buy "Beyond the Godfather" and tell the owners of Amazon.com that we want more books like it.And guess what? Even though "Beyond the Godfather" has a number of academic contributors, it is most accessible, readable, and enjoyable. It also has a number of female voices, which at the very least, provide balance. You will find yourself comparing your own life experiences to those of the authors, and you will find some of your long-term assumptions challenged. Buy it today; you'll thank me later.How did "Beyond the Godfather" come into being? The standard line is that it was inspired by a Gay Talese cover article two years ago in "The New York Times Book Review." In the article, Talese posed and initiated a dialogue over the question, "Where are all the Italian American writers?"Is "Beyond the Godfather" with its twenty-three contributors a retort to Talese? That's what the publishers would like you to believe, and they are partially correct.But I know better, because I know Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli. Ken Ciongoli is a neurologist and professor in Burlington, Vermont, and as I mentioned earlier, the president of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF).For many years, Ken Ciongoli has had a vision and a plan of action. Since the first time I met him some five years ago, Ciongoli wanted to grab key issue makers (members of the mainstream press, media, and literary elite) by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. He wanted to deliver them his gospel for modern times, a gospel developed through his speeches and carefully honed after years of audience questions and comments. The essence of that gospel appears in "Beyond the Godfather;" it is the good news that there is a solution for the problems of modern society, a solution understood by our Founding Fathers, a solution that is so simple yet so long ignored: If society wants to fill a vacuum of moral and civic responsibility, than it ought to start studying and imitating the Italian-American model, which stresses the value of family above all, and with family, "fairness, self-control, loyalty, and duty."Yes, Ken Ciongoli wanted the nation's issue makers to start hearing his message. As executive vice-president of the NIAF, he began the cheerleading process of getting the issue makers (and indeed, the average Italian American) to read more Italian American authors. Ciongoli's literary sessions at the NIAF October Gala Weekends and elsewhere drew much attention, with sparks flying as angry Italian Americans demanded that issue makers hear our cause. Authors and issue makers started making the snowy trek to his home in Burlington. Then, in May of 1995, Ciongoli convened a meeting of the top Italian-American literati at the home of then-Italian Ambassador Boris Biancheri.In March of 1996, Ciongoli was elected president of the NIAF. This was no small accomplishment, as Ciongoli is a doctor and academic who lives out in the middle of nowhere, and the vast majority of NIAF board members are lawyers or businessmen who come from big cities like New York and Washington. Since being elected, he has followed through with his initial vision. On a monthly basis, he meets with the editors of major mainstream newspapers and magazines and asks them to seriously examine the Italian-American success story.More importantly, he called in his markers with every author he had ever ushered up to Burlington or invited to his literary sessions. He was duty-bound to create a book that would be read by and influence the issue makers.And so, after a thousand maternal pangs, Dr. Ken Ciongoli midwifed "Beyond the Godfather" into being.

Rating:
Summary: Book is a hodgepodge, more bad than good
Review: Prominent voices from across the spectrum of Italian America have joined forces in producing a new collaboration, an exceptional and readable book, "Beyond The Godfather: Italian American Writers on the Real Italian American Experience." "Beyond the Godfather" consists of twenty-three essays, featuring the contributions of noted authors Gay Talese, Marianna De Marco Torgovnick, and Frank Lentricchia; former New York first lady Matilda Cuomo; college presidents Claire Gaudiani and John Agresto; as well as Italian-American academicians Richard Gambino, Rudolph J. Vecoli, Anthony J. Tamburri, and Joseph V. Scelsa. The book was edited by A. Kenneth Ciongoli, the president of the National Italian American Foundation, together with poet Jay Parini. In his incisive essay in the book, "Crisis of Italian American Identity," Richard Gambino writes that Italian Americans find themselves in a "surrealistic state of being," in that who we are is defined by the inauthentic myths and distortions created by movies, television shows, and popular culture in general. Gambino's thesis underscores exactly why "Beyond the Godfather" was created. This book is a means by talented writers to reclaim control over our heritage by defining it in authentic, genuine terms. Haven't prominent Italian-American organizations as well as publications such as "Voices in Italian Americana" and "Fra Noi" been setting the record straight about our heritage for many years? Why is this book so special? The answer to both questions lies in who is listening. Yes, organizations and publications have succeeded in promoting positive, truthful images of Italian Americans. But you know as well as I do, that for the most part, Italian-American groups preach to the converted. Rarely do organizations and publications go beyond their members and subscribers to actively participate and change how mainstream America perceives our heritage. "Beyond the Godfather" is different for this very reason: "Beyond the Godfather" will be read by issue makers. You see, when Gay Talese or Jay Parini writes something, the literary elite (publishers, editors, and prominent authors) read it. The literary elite, because they have a large say in what books are published, have a large say in what mainstream Americans read, and thus are gatekeepers of what Americans are talking about and thinking about. Indeed, "Beyond the Godfather" will be read by the literary elite, and as they discover the real Italian American experience, they will be open to more books and works dealing with a truthful Italian-American portrayal. However, we Italian Americans, we reluctant warriors who join Italian-American organizations and read Italian-American newspapers, we can't let the literary elite off the hook so easily. The literary elite are in the business of books, and they look to the bottom line just like everybody else. Consequently, we need to actively buy "Beyond the Godfather" and tell the owners of Amazon.com that we want more books like it. And guess what? Even though "Beyond the Godfather" has a number of academic contributors, it is most accessible, readable, and enjoyable. It also has a number of female voices, which at the very least, provide balance. You will find yourself comparing your own life experiences to those of the authors, and you will find some of your long-term assumptions challenged. Buy it today; you'll thank me later. How did "Beyond the Godfather" come into being? The standard line is that it was inspired by a Gay Talese cover article two years ago in "The New York Times Book Review." In the article, Talese posed and initiated a dialogue over the question, "Where are all the Italian American writers?" Is "Beyond the Godfather" with its twenty-three contributors a retort to Talese? That's what the publishers would like you to believe, and they are partially correct. But I know better, because I know Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli. Ken Ciongoli is a neurologist and professor in Burlington, Vermont, and as I mentioned earlier, the president of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). For many years, Ken Ciongoli has had a vision and a plan of action. Since the first time I met him some five years ago, Ciongoli wanted to grab key issue makers (members of the mainstream press, media, and literary elite) by the shoulders and shake some sense into them. He wanted to deliver them his gospel for modern times, a gospel developed through his speeches and carefully honed after years of audience questions and comments. The essence of that gospel appears in "Beyond the Godfather;" it is the good news that there is a solution for the problems of modern society, a solution understood by our Founding Fathers, a solution that is so simple yet so long ignored: If society wants to fill a vacuum of moral and civic responsibility, than it ought to start studying and imitating the Italian-American model, which stresses the value of family above all, and with family, "fairness, self-control, loyalty, and duty." Yes, Ken Ciongoli wanted the nation's issue makers to start hearing his message. As executive vice-president of the NIAF, he began the cheerleading process of getting the issue makers (and indeed, the average Italian American) to read more Italian American authors. Ciongoli's literary sessions at the NIAF October Gala Weekends and elsewhere drew much attention, with sparks flying as angry Italian Americans demanded that issue makers hear our cause. Authors and issue makers started making the snowy trek to his home in Burlington. Then, in May of 1995, Ciongoli convened a meeting of the top Italian-American literati at the home of then-Italian Ambassador Boris Biancheri. In March of 1996, Ciongoli was elected president of the NIAF. This was no small accomplishment, as Ciongoli is a doctor and academic who lives out in the middle of nowhere, and the vast majority of NIAF board members are lawyers or businessmen who come from big cities like New York and Washington. Since being elected, he has followed through with his initial vision. On a monthly basis, he meets with the editors of major mainstream newspapers and magazines and asks them to seriously examine the Italian-American success story. More importantly, he called in his markers with every author he had ever ushered up to Burlington or invited to his literary sessions. He was duty-bound to create a book that would be read by and influence the issue makers. And so, after a thousand maternal pangs, Dr. Ken Ciongoli midwifed "Beyond the Godfather" into being.

Rating:
Summary: Most essays here are a waste.
Review: This book was a real let-down. Some of the contributors had nothing constructive to say, and a few others, like Gay Talese and Matilda Cuomo, although writing well, did not really address issues as they relate to Italian-Americans. On the positive side, some of the pieces on Italian-American litterature, and one woman's account of her struggle to learn the mandolin, were enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Most essays here are a waste.
Review: This book was a real let-down. Some of the contributors had nothing constructive to say, and a few others, like Gay Talese and Matilda Cuomo, although writing well, did not really address issues as they relate to Italian-Americans. On the positive side, some of the pieces on Italian-American litterature, and one woman's account of her struggle to learn the mandolin, were enjoyable.