Donna Clementoni

Not to the Manor Born Donna Clementoni

Author Donna Clementoni,mining the resources of history and hearsay,pens a portrait ofher Italian-American relativesin poetic tribute to theirimmigration to America in search ofa better life for their families. Their trials and tribulationsare recounted incharming and colorful verseas they assimilate into their new land,move into its neighborhoods,fight in its warsand pursue the American Dream. They were not to the manor born. Intrinsically, they understoodthat there are those who lord over the landand those who labor. Immigrants from the Mezzogiorno, Italy's poorest region south of Rome,belonged to this less fortunatefraternity. These amazing pioneers,out of sheer desperationor fearless determination,charted the course forall their descendants to follow.