MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: "WRESTLING WITH THE DEVIL": Like finding an agate among river rocks. (Italian American Immigrant Memoir beats out the competition.)

Wrestling with the Devil
(A Story of Sacrifice, Survival and Triumph from the Hills of Naples to the Hall of Fame)
Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton
http://.www.figsandfamiglia.com (Author Website)
Gemelli Press
9600 Stone Ave North
Seattle, WA 98103
http://www.gemellipress.com
Italian American Immigrant Memoir
ISBN 978-0982-102398 (Hard Cover) $28.95  (Paperback) $19.95
ASIN: B008EWZ0TW (Kindle) 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-Devil-Tonya-Russo-Hamilton/dp/0982102399

Marlan Warren, Reviewer for Midwest Book Review (Aug. 2015 Reviewer's Choice)

“I had an outlet for my demons.”
--Antonio Russo, “Wrestling with the Devil”

“Wrestling with the Devil (A Story of Sacrifice, Survival and Triumph from the Hills of Naples to the Hall of Fame)” by Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton takes readers along the simple-but-not-easy path that Russo took to Honor and the fulfillment of his Destiny. The father-daughter authors give a rare "insider" view of Italian immigrant experience and one determined man's journey from his cozy Neapolitan childhood to his “Italian American Graffiti-meets-Rebel Without a Cause" adolescence in Portland, Oregon to his rather miraculous college wrestling scholarship and finally, to Russo’s successful coaching career and induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

We are treated to a slice-of-Italian-American-Life in the 50s and 60s with all the warmth and family confusion, goodwill, great food and "immigrant drive for success" that such a cultural experience often entails. What adds to this memoir's tenderness and heart, and sets it apart, is the equally touching fact that although it is told in First Person, it is actually written by Russo's daughter, Tonya Russo Hamilton, who has spun a compelling, seamless narrative in her father's voice from what must have been hours and hours of taped anecdotes.

FLYERS WORK! HERE ARE SAMPLE BOOK FESTIVAL FLYERS: "TINO & THE POMODORI" and "WRESTLING WITH THE DEVIL"

Going to a Book Festival to show your book? Here's a helpful hint: 
MAKE A FLYER! Here are a couple I made recently for 2 books:

Author Tonya Russo Hamilton would be honored to speak at your event, and read/sign her children’s picture book, Tino & the Pomodori.

May you never lose your fascination in the magic of the seed.

—Tonya Russo Hamilton

TINO AND THE POMODORI invites us into the enchanting world of Tino, a boy living on a small farm in Italy who looks forward every year to helping his “nonno” (grandpa) plant tomato seeds so he can watch their magical and cyclical life stages. Based on stories the author’s father, Antonio Russo, told her about his boyhood in 1940s Italy.

A true reflection of Italian life, family relationships and their love of good food!

 —Rebecca Ponzi, Proprietor of Casal Cristiana Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Italy

Captures the magical love that brings generations together to nurture and celebrate the cycle of life. The whimsical illustrations evoke an Italy that lives on in cherished memories. A charming book that makes the soul smile!
 —Dianne Hales, Author of La Bella Lingua

The watercolor illustrations are stunning…The story is simple, sweet, and reads easily. Children will pick up Italian words and phrases, learn about Italian culture, and have a subtle science lesson in the life cycle of the tomato plant.

—The Lovely Bookshelf Blog

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tonya Russo Hamilton is also the co-author of Wrestling with the Devil, which she wrote with her father, Antonio Russo—a memoir of his journey from Italy to Portland to the Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Author Website: http://figsandfamiglia.com

All Tonya Russo Hamilton’s books are available on Amazon. Book Orders of 5 or more may be ordered at Discount from Gemelli Press at http//www.gemellipress.com. 

#ItalianAmericanPortland #CandidaMartinelli #Italophile #ItalianMarketplace #ItalianAmericanAuthors