Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks: A Son's Discovery of His Italian Heritage

Giovanni Ruscitti's memoir about his father and his hometown in Central Italy, the author's parents' struggles as children during WWII in Italy, their relationship, and their eventual "American Dream" immigration to the US. It is an inspiring love story about people, a town, and a culture, told through a trip the author took with them to their hometown in 2013 that brought his father's stories and life-long wisdom to life for the family.

Moving memoir...The author lucidly combines the personal and the political...A thoughtful consideration of the meaning of a person's sense of self and the nuanced ways in which it is constituted by elements that preceded the individual and elude full comprehension. As a result, the author's recollection transcends the particulars of his own life and should resonate with readers similarly gripped by the struggle to understand their origins. A captivating, candid, and insightful account about a man's Italian heritage.
—Kirkus Reviews

A deftly scripted, inherently engaging, and ultimately inspiring account of the impact of war upon a community and a family...A story of survival and immigration—especially timely in today's denigration of the value and causes of immigrants to America by families seeking asylum from the horrors and aftermath of war, and for a better life for themselves and their children...A compelling read from cover to cover.
—Midwest Book Review

At the end of the day, Ruscitti proves that not only can you go home again, you can also go home for the first time. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
—Manhattan Book Review

Giovanni Ruscitti's father Emilio urged his son to ‘tell our story.' This remarkable memoir fulfills not only that promise but describes the hopes and dreams of immigrants who brought to this country their traditions, their love of family, and a unity that survived the melting pot of the American experience. This first-generation Italian-American author has created a beautiful, intimate, and touching portrait of not only a father's love but a family's commitment to each other and what we all hope to know—where we came from and who we are. It is a story that preaches the art of living life in full, with joy and compassion.
—Dan Luzadder, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author and journalist

This touching and inspirational book is a must-read for all walks of life. The United States was built from immigrant families with these shared experiences.
—Bobby Stuckey, James Beard Award winner, and author of Friuli Food and Wine: Frasca Cooking from Northern Italy's Mountains, Vineyards, and Seaside

Giovanni Ruscitti has written a wonderful book of special relevance for all North and South Americans whose ancestors have migrated from Asia, Europe, and Africa. His journey to the land of his forefathers is so meaningful not only because of the discovery of what connects us ‘Americanos' to the rest of the world but also the journey within. A trip in which we all feel recognized. Bravo maestro!
—Hernando de Soto, finalist for Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, and author of Mystery of Capital

After reading Cobblestones, Conversations, and Corks, I was filled with immense pride. Giovanni Ruscitti's book is an eloquent and poetic tribute to his father and his family. It's a work of art that made me laugh and cry.
—Vic Lombardi, thirty-three-time Emmy-winning sportscaster

I'm in the middle of the NFL playoffs and couldn't put the book down. I had to finish it. Readers will love Ruscitti's book!
—Mike Shanahan, two-time Super Bowl champion head coach