Acknowledgments

In Italy:

David Piccoli and his wife, Loredana; Paolo Di Vincenzo; Pietro Ottobrini; Nicola De Sangro; Vinicio Capossela; Vincenzo Costantino Cinaski; Giovanna DiLello; Tizziano Teti; and the wonderful people of Torricella Peligna.

In America:

Ben Pleasants for badgering me to write this book; Al and Judy Berlinski for their unshakable faith in my work; Ayrin Leigh Fante for being my wife and my best friend; Amy Baker, the best editor in America, for going the distance; Shera Danese Falk; John Fante, my hero, and Joyce Fante, my mother, a gifted poet and a tough cookie.