Trapped in Tuscany Liberated by the Buffalo Soliders: The True World War II Story of Tullio Bruno Bertini

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tale well told
Review: A retired lawyer and former intelligence officer. This personal memoir describes the six years that an American teenage boy spent with his Italian American parents caught by the outbreak of World War II in their native town in Tuscany. It is an indispensible contribution to the grass-roots, social history of wartime Fascist Italy. It's filled with the amazing details and realities of daily life, reflecting an intimate insight into the social life and customs of a small Tuscan town north of Florence. The story starts prosaically with an explanation of why the family has returned to Italy. It becomes an absorbing story building to a dramatic climax. The German Army attempts to "relocate" the villagers acting in preparation of the German defensive Gothic Line north of the Arno. The villagers escape by walking all night on trails through mountainous terrain to reach an Apennine valley probed by advancing American forces. Those forces are the all-black American "Buffalo Soldiers" of the famous 92nd Division. These dramatic events are told in a straightforward narrative style reminiscent of Hemmingway. The account is informed by the seemingly photographic memory of the man the boy grew to be. The maps and background presentation reflect the training of author Bertini's adult interlude in American Army Intelligence. It is a must read for those who want to know what is was like to be caught in the harsh realities of a war zone, and for Italian-Americans and others would enjoy a first-hand social history of survival in the Italy of World War II. I think Sophia Loren, remembering her childhood wartime experiences, would empathize and recommend this book. It is well organized with an index, a bibliographic reference and 26 pertinent photo illustrations. /s/ J. A. Giordano, Stanford AB, JD, '56.

Rating:
Summary: Signor Tornatore, this would make a great movie script
Review: A retired lawyer and former intelligence officer. This personal memoir describes the six years that an American teenage boy spent with his Italian American parents caught by the outbreak of World War II in their native town in Tuscany. It is an indispensible contribution to the grass-roots, social history of wartime Fascist Italy. It's filled with the amazing details and realities of daily life, reflecting an intimate insight into the social life and customs of a small Tuscan town north of Florence. The story starts prosaically with an explanation of why the family has returned to Italy. It becomes an absorbing story building to a dramatic climax. The German Army attempts to "relocate" the villagers acting in preparation of the German defensive Gothic Line north of the Arno. The villagers escape by walking all night on trails through mountainous terrain to reach an Apennine valley probed by advancing American forces. Those forces are the all-black American "Buffalo Soldiers" of the famous 92nd Division. These dramatic events are told in a straightforward narrative style reminiscent of Hemmingway. The account is informed by the seemingly photographic memory of the man the boy grew to be. The maps and background presentation reflect the training of author Bertini's adult interlude in American Army Intelligence. It is a must read for those who want to know what is was like to be caught in the harsh realities of a war zone, and for Italian-Americans and others would enjoy a first-hand social history of survival in the Italy of World War II. I think Sophia Loren, remembering her childhood wartime experiences, would empathize and recommend this book. It is well organized with an index, a bibliographic reference and 26 pertinent photo illustrations. /s/ J. A. Giordano, Stanford AB, JD, '56.

Rating:
Summary: A legacy for future generations...
Review: I am proud of my father's effort to document his childhood experiences in northern Italy during World War II not only for my brother and me but as a legacy for all. Soon we will have a unique opportunity to embark upon a peaceful century--it is up to the younger generation to understand the lessons of the past so we do not repeat them in the future. This book describes how the war impacted my father and the other citizens of the small town of Diecimo, and reveals how a highly-decorated division of black American soldiers changed their lives. I hope you will consider reading this book. Think about ways you can take the lessons of my father's experiences and in some small way help make the world a more peaceful place.

Rating:
Summary: Tullio Bertini brought back the reality of that time !
Review: I grew up in a town North of Diecimo at the same time Tullio Bertini was there. Reading Tullio's book brought back the details of World War II, and I found my experiences parallel to those of Tullio. I met Tullio thru an article on a newspaper concerning the "Buffalo Soldiers". Having being liberated by the same soldiers I did my utmost to be able to meet him and share with him the experience of the 40's. Tullio Bertini's book is one of my favorite gifts especially to those who want to discover the Italian life of those years. The Tuscan Region is studying the possibility of adopting the book as a reference for emigrants from the area of Lucca. Higly recommended for its human value.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tale well told
Review: I have been reading up on the war in Italy, and this story was a refreshing change from the narratives of battles big and small. I recently visited Diecimo on my way past Lucca, saw the house of Tullio, and spoke with a local who was also a boy during the war. This story helped me understand from another perspective the incredible damage done to the Italian people by the Nazi forces and to the infrastructure by both Germans and Allies.

Rating:
Summary: Growing up in war-torn Europe
Review: In that ominous time immediately preceding the outbreak of WWII, many people found themselves on the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean. To return to the United States was a difficult if not impossible task for many families because of the prevailing political situation. Tullio Bertini's "Trapped in Tuscany" is a chronicle of adventures experienced by a native born Bostonian forced to live six years of his life with is parents in Facist Italy. The pre- and middle teen years are turbulent for any youngster, and Bertini introduces us to his located in the mountainous region of Tuscany (locale of the German Gothic Line). Making an adjustment to a new culture in the little town of Diecimo and its environs is at times both exciting and adventurous. Unaccustomed deprivations abound. A new language must be learned, adjustments to transportation tackled, and schooling (with Facist undertones)changed--obstacles all, which the youngster embraces with courage and humor. Despite the political turmoil, the reader vicariously experiences a youth's awakening to the early teen years in a positive mood and at the same time gains much insight into everyday life of a small Tuscan town. The book is definitely a "good read" for those of Italian heritage, and, for that matter,anyone who had relatives growing up in war-torn Europe.

Rating:
Summary: Growing up in war-torn Europe
Review: It was wonderful to read about all the Italian customs and all the normal, everyday routines and activities in an Italian village so many years ago from the eyes of a child. Children catch all the important details that escape us as adults when we are so preoccupied with work, etc. Lots of Tulio's stories were familiar to me, as similar stories have been told to me by my mother who grew up in Italy although she was fortunate enough to be in America during the war. Tulio's experiences during the German occupation and liberation were incredible and are an important part of the history of Italy during that time period. Anyone interested in Italian heritage and in the activities of WWII would find this book to be of great interest.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for all ages!
Review: This book is great for all ages because it is written from the viewpoint of a nine year old through a pre-teen. Not only is it interesting in that respect but it also portrays the conditions during WWII in Italy where the Germans had the Gothic line of defense and moved into the towns and homes of the people. It tells exciting stories of how Tulio had to run and hide to escape from the Germans. It was especially exciting to read about the Black Buffalo soldiers from the United States who came in to Tulio's home town and rescued them from the Germans and met his family on a personal level, having dinner and becoming part of his family life. They got along especially well since Tulio could speak English and was originally from the United States and was an American citizen.

Rating:
Summary: Memories Return -- I Was There.
Review: Tullio Bertini's "Trapped in Tuscany" is an accurate account of life in Diecimo in the period of WWII. I was there. I met Tullio when he came to my hometown in 1939 and we have been friends ever since. His recounting of the many vignettes of life in our town are both accurate and moving. Tullio's WWII experiences brought back many memories as his experiences are very similar to mine. I recommend "Trapped in Tuscany" to all interested in Italian life and culture.

Rating:
Summary: Signor Tornatore, this would make a great movie script.
Review: [...]This personal memoir, describing the six years that an American boy spent with his parents caught by the outbreak of World War II in their native town in Tuscany, is an indespensable contribution to the grass-roots cultural history of wartime Fascist Italy. It is filled with amazing details and realities of daily life, reflecting an intimate insight into the social life and customs of a small Tuscan town north of Florence. The story starts slowly and prosaically with an explanation of why the family has returned to Italy. It becomes an absorbing story building to a dramatic climax of how three hundred villagers, faced with the attemped "relocation" by the German Army acting in preparation of the German defensive Gothic Line north of the Arno, escape by walking all night on trails through mountainous terrain to reach an Apennine valley probed by advancing American forces, the all-black American "Buffalo Soldiers" of the famous 92nd Division. This is a family history as well as an adventure story of dramatic events told in a straightforward narrative style reminiscent of Hemmingway. It is filled with the details of the village life of a teenager, but informed by the seemingly photographic memory of the man the boy grew to be. The maps and the background presentation reflect the training of author Bertini's adult interlude in American Army Intelligence. It is a must read for those who want to know what is was like to be caught in the harsh realities of a war zone, and for Italian-Americans and others who would enjoy a sharply focussed, social history of survival in the Italy of World War II. I think Sophia Loren, remembering her childhood wartime experiences, would empathize with and recommend this book. It is well organized with an index, a bibliographic reference and twentysix pertinent black & white photo illustrations.[...]