Categories: PodcastStories

Growing Up Italian-American ( The Stories of Two Italian Families )

Ferdinand J. Visco MD is the author of the critically acclaimed book “Growing Up Italian-American: The Memoirs of Ferdinand Visco & The Stories of Two Immigrant Italian Families.” He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., grew up in College Point, Queens, went to college at Fairfield University in Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Padua School of Medicine in Italy. Currently, he is Chief of Cardiology at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. Dr. Visco lives in New York City and his passion is the study and preservation of Italian-American history, tradition, and culture.

About the Book

Dr. Visco’s book contains the stories of three generations of Italian-Americans, told by those who lived them in their own words and placed in historical context.

Profusely illustrated, with maps and photographs on almost every page, this 452-page book explores Italian-American history, values, and culture. It also contains Italian proverbs, offers sage Italian-American advice, and features a glossary of Italian-American words as well as recipes from Padula and Vico Equense.

From the Author

Writing this book was a labor of love and stems from my belief, best expressed by a Neapolitan proverb which says, “Pe ssapé chi si’, hê ‘a sapé ‘a ro’ viene” (To know who you are, you need to know from whence you came).

While researching material for the book, I tried to find information I thought our immigrant ancestors would want us to know. My goal was to create an entertaining text that contributes to the body of resources available to those Italian-Americans who wish to explore their heritage.

To find videos that supplement the book, please visit Facebook.com/GrowingUpItalianAmerican.

Please also join our group on Facebook: Growing Up Italian American