| About the Book
What to write in this brief
introduction? What motivated me to put together this collection of
notes, which originally dealt with the Roman Empire, the rise of
Christianity, the Renaissance? My fascination with the history of
mankind grew even more when in the late ‘70’s I met my paesano and
friend, D. Pelmiotto, in New York. It was he who introduced me to an
avalanche of books on the history of my native town of Giovinazzo (Bari),
Italy. I realized that my little paese, nestled in the somnolent
region of Apulia in Southern Italy, embodied a millennium of history
of this area on the Adriatic. I raced through these books and was
electrified by what they revealed about the vicissitudes of my
forefathers, their language, character, work, religious fervor and
profound love of family.
I was awestruck at how writers, poets, historians,
educators, painters and artisans developed and flourished in such
incredible circumstances. What motivated such people as S. Daconto,
G. De Ninno, S. La Sorsa, Ludovico Idido, B. Lupis, L. Marziani,
Matteo Spinelli, the Frammarinos, Barbollas and so many others to
leave us such a rich heritage? What prompted them and many others to
enrich and record the life of this piccolo, insignificant Giovinazzo?
It gives me great pride to share with the reader my gratitude to
these remarkable people who taught me about my ancient family and
who, in spite of incredible suffering, persisted in their quest for
learning, creating, and their fight for human dignity and freedom.
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