The Living Tree: A Social History of an Italian American Family

In The Living Tree, James DeSantis relays the story of his Italian ancestors to give testimony to the critical role the immigrant story plays in the United States' rich and inspiring history--and how the mixture of cultures makes this such a strong and unique nation. The book makes an important contribution to the Italian-American narrative of the 20th century. DeSantis' story of his Italian relatives is reflective of so many immigrants who found security, familiarity and comfort residing in "Little Italies" among people who spoke their language, ate the foods they did, and understood their values.