“An inspiring story of guts and determination, this book should be on someone's curriculum--high school or branches of the public service. It's a heartfelt reminder of what our grandparents, great-grandparents or parents endured to bring us to where we are. It will stay with you for a very long time. Highly recommended.” -- Barbara Bond, Award Winning Journalist and author of “On Sober Second Thought”, “The Beach Walkers” and “The Healing Island”.
“...an Italian youth’s remarkable and psychologically challenging journey into manhood, a new culture, and in creating a new life…is about strength, bravery, faith and love; ... A worthy and fascinating story to inspire any reader!” says, CBDutweiller, M.S. Clinical Psychology
“This epic narrative of Italian immigrants in America is entertaining and insightful… a realistic portrait of a young man’s quest to make something of himself as an immigrant in the Industrial Revolution–era United States....straightforward and written with integrity. ...entertaining and insightful throughout.”--Foreword/Clarion Review
“An affecting tale of an Italian immigrant’s struggle to make a life for himself in the United States.… author Rizzo creates a seamless blend of fiction and nonfiction, creating a memoir-like novel. The abiding themes are Michelangelo’s virtuous indomitability and his transformation from Italian day laborer to Italian-American, or from Michelangelo to Mike. His allegiance to the U.S. …This is a touching, refreshing reminder of how much prosperity can spring from a generous spirit. A heartwarming amalgam of personal fact, fiction, and history.”—Kirkus Review