Becoming Italian PDF Download

Journey with Bret Thoman, an American southern boy who ventures deep into Southern Italy in search of his ancestral roots. With witty storytelling and an eye for the zany, the "wild and uncontrolled" characters he meets come to life. And throughout the process, his life changes forever and he "Becomes Italian." In this reverse immigration story, he journeys far beyond the stereotypes offering an up-close look at Italy's history, language, and cuisine, but especially the people who live in the south of Rome: the slower part where pasta sauce is redder and espresso blacker., dialect is spoken, America is revered, and lunchtime reigns supreme. The Italians he meets teach him their values: the strength of communities, long meals together, lazy afternoons, enduring friendships, and the meaning of family. If you are curious about your own Italian roots, if Italy is your favorite destination, or if you enjoy wacky travel stories informed by the Italian spirit, you won't want to miss this one. "Fried chicken and sweet tea meet garlic and espresso in a selection of personal reflections and slice of life vignettes that are sure to please." Debby Giusti, USA TODAY Bestselling Author "With an eye for the awkward and the ludicrous, it makes for a fun read..." Karl Keating, Bestselling Author "As an Italian American, I learned more about my Italian heritage in Bret Thoman's new book than I ever knew! He has masterfully captured the Italian spirit that resonates throughout my family...!" Madeline Pecora Nugent, Author "Interesting, touching, funny, and delightfully Italian! I laughed and I cried - both out of joy. Becoming Italian is indeed a Becoming book." Murray Bodo, Author "An interesting, uncommon, story to tell ... Anyone who considers Italy their favorite destination will love it." Bob Walker About the Author: Bret Thoman has a master's degree in Italian from Middlebury College, a BA from the University of Georgia, and a certificate in Franciscan Studies. Bret is an FAA-licensed pilot and flew professionally for six years logging over 3,500 hours of flight time. After leaving flying, he started organizing and accompanying tours to Italy for the company he founded in 2004. Bret began writing initially to provide material for participants on his tours. That turned into a hobby, and then an avocation. To date, he has written numerous articles, five books and translated over a dozen from Italian to English. Bret spends his free time reading, watching films, hiking anywhere off-road, and changing diapers. He lives in Loreto, Italy with his wife and three children. Bret can be contacted at: [email protected] www.stfrancispilgrimages.com