Brooklyn Italian: Remembering Williamsburg will take you on a journey back in time. To a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn New York called Williamsburg. From the beginning of it's existence in 1638 to present day, through the rise of industry, two world wars, the Depression of the late 1920's, the rise of the Mafia and the immigrants who settled there in search for a better life. In their own words, long time residents tell their stories of a time when summer evenings family and friends gathered on stoops to talk about the happenings of the day or just to share a cup of coffee, when children played stick ball, jacks and hopscotch till the street lamps came on. . When a handshake meant trust and respect was earned. They came for a better life, for themselves and their children. Many enclaves with cultural differences yet sharing one vision, to pursue the American dream. The freedom to choose, to become, to survive. While notables such as Corning Ware, Standard Oil and Domino Sugar found Williamsburg to be a profitable place to call home, other notables were making their mark in Williamsburg as well such as the Bonanno family Underboss Carmine Galante and the infamous Bugsy Siegel and Alfonse Capone. In their own words, long time residents of Williamsburg Brooklyn share their life history in letters telling the world what it was like living during The Great Depression, WWII, poverty and survival. As with each generation change is inevitable and it's change that allows us to pass on the stories of the generations before preserving the past to become an integrated part of our future.
About the Author: Born in Brooklyn New York, P.C. Marotta is an American author who believes there's always a story to tell. Stories make memories and memories carry on. Her cookbook memoir, Brooklyn Italian: A Memoir of Recipes of Days Gone By is based on the stories of her family settling in Williamsburg from Italy over 100 years ago. Her works include two cookbook memoirs and a series of educational adventurous children's books with illustrator A.L. Houghton. Together they brought Twinkle and his gang of furry friends to life with unique stories teaching children and families many of the issues we face in our lives on a daily basis. Her media credits include, WGN Chicago's LunchBreak show, Cook of the Week by Chicago's Daily Herald, newspapers, magazines, radio talk shows and speaking engagements.