As a young intelligence officer stationed in Naples following its liberation from Nazi forces; Norman Lewis recorded the lives of a proud and vibrant people forced to survive on prostitution; thievery; and a desperate belief in miracles and cures. The most popular of Lewis's twenty-seven books; Naples '44 is a landmark poetic study of the agony of wartime occupation and its ability to bring out the worst; and often the best; in human nature. In prose both heartrending and comic; Lewis describes an era of disillusionment; escapism; and hysteria in which the Allied occupiers mete out justice unfairly and fail to provide basic necessities to the populace while Neapolitan citizens accuse each other of being Nazi spies; women offer their bodies to the same Allied soldiers whose supplies they steal for sale on the black market; and angry young men organize militias to oppose "temporary" foreign rule. Yet over the chaotic din; Lewis sings intimately of the essential dignity of the Neapolitan people; whose traditions of civility; courage; and generosity of spirit shine through daily. This essential World War II book is as timely a read as ever.
#508280 in Books McFarland 2013-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.25 x .75 x 6.75l; 1.00 #File Name: 0786477091264 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Very InformativeBy Janet CowlingThis book was fascinating and appears to explain a number of discrepancies which appeared when they began conducting Melungon DNA.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Hirschman is a great researcher. I believe and follow her ideas on ...By Dr. IbrahimWhen you open a book; only to find it its a complete story about your past ancestors; you become passionately attached. Especially; when it matches your DNA testing; family genealogy; and research.Dr. Elizabeth C. Hirschman is a great researcher. I believe and follow her ideas on how many came from the Iberian Lands and then up into the Isles. It matches my family history well. For some; these concepts of a "Jewish Scotland" may be hard to grasp; yet; the signs are in front of your eyes for those who believe.Very Much Appreciated; Dr. Ibrahim - "Brown Clan" of Scotland4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. It's An Odd StoryBy LoveThatRonWhiteI'm a descendant of one of the profiled families. This is a strange story; and I'm not sure I buy the entire premise; but it's interesting; to say the least. We've uncovered some truly strange chapters digging into our genealogy; and by now; nothing should surprise us. I hope other family members will read it; and will also get their dna analyzed. It's certainly food for thought.
