Helpful Score: 3
Published in the midst of WWII (January, 1944), this book takes a look at the circumstances surrounding the American occupation of a town in Italy and what needed to be accomplished to be effective and successful in the process of reintegrating that town into a post-Mussolini world. Essentially, this is a book published during the course of the struggle, which outlines what needed to occur for the "occupation" to to be effective in converting a community which had beem dominated by fascist forces into one which would be able to succeed in the post-war democratic world. Sound familiar? This book is is a timely read for anybody who is likely to be involved, or has family likely to be involved, in deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.
Helpful Score: 1
Very interesting historical fiction. When the Americans conquered Italy after WW!! it became the job of one Italian American Major to solve the problems of the small town of Adano. The character descriptions are great, and there's lots of humor amidst the angst.
The book was somewhat dry - by that I mean once you put it down you don't rush to pick it up again. However it was a good insight into WWII reconstruction efforts in Italy
Printed in 1945.
Pulitzer prize winning novel set in Italy during World War II
It's a Pulitzer prize winner and deservedly so. This is the story of an American major in the army in charge of a town in Italy after the Americans have driven out the enemy. His job is to help the town recover from the terror and oppression that its citizens have endured. And, he does it, one small decision at a time. He is fair, considerate and a good listener. His efforts help the town's people understand that there are both good and bad Americans, including general whose decisions serve only his desires without thought to the consequences. Major Joppolo becomes a hero and well respected but his efforts are not without difficulty. This is a wonderful read about how one person can make a difference. I totally enjoyed it.
