Often treated as background figures throughout their history; Italian women of the lower and working classes have always struggled and toiled alongside men; and this did not change following emigration to America. Through numerous oral history narratives; Farms; Factories; and Families documents the rich history of Italian American working women in Connecticut. As farming women; they could keep up with any man. As entrepreneurs; they started successful businesses. They joined men on production lines in Connecticut's factories and sweatshops; and through the strength of the neighborhood networks they created; they played a crucial role in union organizing. Empowered as foreladies; union officials; and shop stewards; they saved money for future generations of Italian American women to attend college and achieve dreams they themselves could never realize. The book opens with the voices of elderly Italian American women; who reconstruct daily life in Italy's southern regions at the turn of the twentieth century. Raised to be caretakers and nurturers of families; these women lived by the culturally claustrophobic dictates of a patriarchal society that offered them few choices. The storytellers of Farms; Factories; and Families reveal the trajectories of immigrant women who arrived in Connecticut with more than dowries in their steam trunks: the ability to face adversity with quiet inner strength; the stamina to work tirelessly from dawn to dusk; the skill to manage the family economy; and adherence to moral principles rooted in the southern Italian code of behavior. Second- and third-generation Italian American women who attended college and achieved professional careers on the wings of their Italian-born mothers and grandmothers have not forgotten their legacy; and though Italian American immigrant women lived by a script they did not write; Farms; Factories; and Families gives them the opportunity to tell their own stories; in their own words.
#121018 in Books Crossway Books 2013-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.25 #File Name: 1433541815400 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Depth For A Redeemed Sinner's Great StoryBy Z. D. HoughtonMany people have likely heard of John Newton either as the author of "Amazing Grace"; or by the William Wilberforce biopic of the same name. Jonathan Aitken's biography of Newton; however; reveals a Christian life with an influence far beyond hymns or his association with the abolition movement. This is a story of redemption and ministry as much as it is anything.Newton's early dissolute life is well-covered in this book: a troubled childhood; a quick mind given over to blasphemy and atheism in his wild youth; and his dark years as both slave and slave trader. Newton's conversion (and many narrow escapes) is well-documented; and his turning to God is portraying as the agonizing; deep process it was--there are no sudden changes here; but continual pitfalls and setbacks in a man who slowly turned into a great warrior for the Lord.For those with a calling to the ministry; Newton's struggles with ordination and his following career as a pastor will be of great interest. Newton was innovative; lively; inclusive; and gospel-centered as a pastor. It is not to say that his ministry did not have great struggles and stumbles; but his attitude and perseverance will likely inspire readers. Some of the machinations and historical aspects of the society in Newton's time will be of great interest to lovers of history.The aspects dealing with abolition and the writing of "Amazing Grace" might seem brief to some readers expecting to find those items front-and-center; but honestly; John Newton's life is exemplary for his larger-than-life conversion story and preaching as much as it is for his more well-known accomplishments.Aitken's book starts a bit slow; but finds a livelier rhythm when it comes to Newton's ordination and subsequent ministry. The depth of the book is quite excellent; with many of Newton's correspondences and diaries mined for context and to show just how committed Newton became in the service of Christ. This is a book worth sticking with; as readers will be rewarded with an insight into a man who was one of the great redemption stories in his generation; and many generations to come.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Strong Retelling of a Remarkable LifeBy CrestviewerJohn Newton was incredible (*incredible*); and Jonathan Aitken does an admirable job recounting his life.An impressed Navy sailor; a deserter; a slave ship captain; a new Christian struggling to cast-off his immoral habits; a more mature Christian struggling to find his calling; a small-town pastor impacting his nation; a big-city pastor impacting his government and the world; a hymn-writer; a best-selling author; a loving; tender husband; a networker (in the best sense of the word); a man committed to prayer and reflection; an adoptive father ... he lived a remarkable life. Escaping near death multiple times in his early years; he lived a long; faithful life and - in the end - he wasn't afraid of dying (nor of his wife's death) because he knew the one who would welcome him home.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Engaging text on a fascinating lifeBy T. HookerLike many believers before and since; John Newton was a man who struggled. He had struggles with his temper; foul language; immorality; morally dubious business; rejection; and so many other things in his life. Yet; once he came to know Jesus in a personal way at 23; Newton encountered a grace that was not only greater than all his sin but that would; in time; transform him into one of the most godly men of Christian history. This grace would even lead him to mentor William Wilberforce; whose tireless efforts brought down the trade that had earlier supplied Newton’s livelihood! There is so much more that could be written about John Newton; from his humility to his generous heart. Yet; readers should never forget that all the good in Newton’s life came from knowing that he was “a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.†(347)
