Story of my People: Essays and Social Criticism on Italy's Economy

This spectacular gem of a book is one of the best nonfiction books I have read. As a writer who included a segment on Prato's textile machinery manufacturers in my book, Life with an Accent, I am in awe at the prose and the way Nesi handles serious political and current events that impact ordinary citizens. I plan to buy a dozen copies to give as gifts to all those who ask my husband to explain his business relationship with machine manufacturers in Tuscany and why the textile industry has changed in America as well as Italy. It is both an important story that must be told and a damn good read. Marilyn Gottlieb, author, Life with an Accent. Life with an Accent: One Immigrant's Quest to Belong

I enjoyed this even though it is the story of a business being destroyed and a country being harmed by 'free trade'. I have been to Italy and loved it. It's a shame to see this type of thing happening. It tells of a factory being bought out by Chinese companies and then they send in workers to run the machinery and sleep on the factory floor. They do this so they can still say the products are made in Italy. There was an article in the news this past week about a fire in a factory in Italy in which some workers died. They were some of twelve Chinese workers living in a room in the factory where they worked. Exactly the type of thing this book covers.

I just read "Story of My People," by Edoardo Nesi. This is the first non-fiction title to ever win Italy's Strega prize. This short, smart, angry, and sad book documents the hollowing-out of Prato's centuries-old fabric industry in the face of globalization. (Another fabulous book, Iris Origo's "The Merchant of Prato," documents, among other things, Prato's fabric industry - in the 1300s!) Nesi's book is also a compelling intellectual autobiography, of a sort. He somehow managed to translate "Infinite Jest" into Italian, a thankless task. His writing reminds me of Roberto Saviano's "Gomorrah," with a shared sense of moral outrage.

interesting story of the problems of Prato one sided gives you the feeling that the story is told by a spoilt child also time is strangely adjusted did not know he could be at a anti vietnam ralley at 15!

This is a very well written and enjoyable book to read. The tone and subject of the book may be very dark and sad but the authors writing style makes this digestable. It was very quick read only taking half a day but it seems even shorter cause the book just draws and keeps you drawn in. On top of the great book you can't even tell it has been translated from Italian, which was something I was worried about when I first got the book. Overall this is a great read!

Soe good analysis of current economic problems in Italy. Writing is somewhat amateurish. No solutions are suggested bythe author and the book ends. Up in the air.

I felt both sad and proud while reading this book because it explains the waning of the textile business in Italy and the root causes. Made in Italy no longer means what it did in the past and that is very sad. I was proud of the Italian tradition up and until the near present.

Edoardo Nesi paints a picture of a hardworking family and community who were one of the most sought out creators and manufacturers of high fashion textiles who have been forced out of business as a result of the globalization of the industry. The book is heartfelt and personal. I would recommend this book as a compelling story that provides insight to the plight of companies that are unable to compete in the global market.

Living in Italy and specifically in Varese where the textile industry has been so strong I see the reality of this story. Family businesses which were small empires in the '60's and '70's crumbling day to day. A harsh and sad reality of Italy today, past glories and depressing futures...

Anyone interested in business/economics should read this book. An easy going style, very sad concerning the plight of small textile firms in Italy. It was a pleasure to read.