Book Description
In a masterful evocation of Italian Harlem and the men and women who lived there, Robert Orsi examines how the annual festa of the Madonna of 115th Street both influenced and reflected the lives of the celebrants. His prize-winning book offers a new perspective on lived religion, the place of religion in the everyday lives of men, women, and children, the experiences of immigration and community formation, and American Catholicism. This edition includes a new introduction by the author that outlines both the changes that Italian Harlem has undergone in recent years and significant shifts in the field of religious history. Awarded the Alpha Sigma Nu National Book Prize (sponsored by Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States) for outstanding book in the humanities. Winner of the 1986 American Catholic Historical Association's John Gilmary Shea Prize.


From the Back Cover
Reviews of the earlier edition: "A richly tapestried portrait-narrative. . . . Orsi is to be commended for a truly significant contribution to the annals of American social history." —Francesco Cordasco, USA Today "Orsi has fashioned an impressive fusion of the inner histories of immigrant social and religious life."— John W. Briggs, American Historical Review


About the Author
Robert A. Orsi, Warren Professor of American Religious History at Harvard University, is the author of Thank You, St. Jude, also available in paperback from Yale University Press.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In a masterful evocation of Italian Harlem and the men and women who lived there, Robert A. Orsi examines how the annual festa of the Madonna of 115th Street both influenced and reflected the lives of the celebrants. His prize-winning book offers a new perspective on lived religion, religion's place in the everyday lives of men, women, and children, the experiences of immigration and community formation, and American Catholicism. This edition includes a new introduction by the author that outlines both the changes that Italian Harlem has undergone in recent years and significant shifts in the field of religious history. Awarded the 1985 Alpha Sigma Nu National Book Prize presented by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities for the outstanding book in the humanities Winner of the 1986 American Catholic Historical Association's John Gilmary Shea Prize

FROM THE CRITICS

Francesco Cordasco - USA Today

A richly tapestried portrait-narrative... . Orsi is to be commended for a truly significant contribution to the annals of American social history.

John W. Briggs - American Historical Review

Orsi has fashioned an impressive fusion of the inner histories of immigrant social and religious life.

Francesco Cordasco

A richly tapestried portrait-narrative. . . . Orsi is to be commended for a truly significant contribution to the annals of American social history.

John W. Briggs - American Historical Review