CRISTOGIANNI BORSELLA

Cristogianni Borsella (b. June 17, 1979) is a writer, historian, free-thinker who has published three books to date. A New York native, Cristogianni has been exposed to many different cultures from an early age. This has provided him with a special perspective in his works, which transcends cultural and ethnic biases. Cristogianni's three currently available works are: On Persecution, Identity & Activism: Aspects of the Italian-American Experience from the Late 19^th Century to Today (2005); Fascist Italy: A Concise Historical Narrative (2007); and Medocentric: In Acclamation of Brown Humanity (2009).

On Persecution, Identity & Activism is a definitive work on the many trials and tribulations that Italian-Americans have suffered over the past 120 years. While other books have focused on specific areas of anti-Italianism, Cristogianni Borsella's work encompasses the great bulk of persecution that existed in the United States, through the use of a historical timeline. Such instances of persecution include lynchings, cases of slave labor, the violation of Italian-American civil rights during World War II, and much more. The book also shows the reader how Italian-American identity has evolved through the years, and that there is still no consensus on its definition. Modern activism is addressed as well, especially the on-going anti-defamation campaign and the Columbus Day controversy. Due to the striking similarities between Italian immigrants of the past and immigrants of the present, On Persecution, Identity & Activism is truly a "must read" for anyone wishing to better understand the vexing immigration questions of our own time. (To order On Persecution, Identity & Activism, please visit: http://www.danteuniversity.org/persecution.html.)  

Fascist Italy: A Concise Historical Narrative is an informative work which analyzes and brings together the two fundamental aspects of the Fascist Italian experience: its history and its ideology. Author Cristogianni Borsella superbly explains the background of the Fascist movement, revealing in detail its corresponding political nature; this was possible because Borsella has made Benito Mussolini part of the narrative. The reader quickly becomes aware that Fascism is the logical but chaotic brainchild of Mussolini himself—a restless man in search of messianic visions to satisfy both his monstrous ego and the political insecurity of his nation. Borsella exposes other individuals who were instrumental in forming the ideological foundations of Fascism, namely Sorel, Vilfredo and Gentile. Groups like the syndicalists, interventionists, and Italian neoconservatives are also exposed in detail. The book’s greatest strength may show how the extreme Left played vital roles in shaping Fascism, as Mussolini himself had been a devout Socialist for many years before attaining power. Vividly trumpeted as a progressive state ideology, Fascism left in its wake a destructive, repressive legacy of a dictatorship. In the book's final chapters, Borsella compares the political climate existing in the United States, under George W. Bush, to that which existed in Italy under Mussolini. Finally, Borsella draws parallels that should force one to reassess the meaning of what it means to be "free" in today’s America. (To order Fascist Italy: A Concise Historical Narrative, please go to: http://brandenbooks.com/product_info.php?cPath=72&products_id=359.) 

Cristogianni Borsella's latest work is a book of poetry entitled: Medocentric: In Acclamation of Brown Humanity. The ideas presented in this compilation vary, and many of the poems even seem to conflict and contradict each other in both style and content. This is the product of a decade’s worth of observation in the areas of politics, demographics, and intercultural communication. Cristogianni has also looked to history as a source of inspiration for his poetry.   

Cristogianni Borsella has been featured in PRIMO magazine three times for his works (Mar/Apr. 2005, Mar/Apr. 2006 & Jan/Feb. 2008). His poems and other works have also appeared in: Italian America (Summer 2007 & Summer 2006); Prism Quarterly (Vol. 8, Issue 1); poeticdiversity ezine (May 2005); L'Intrigue magazine (Winter/Spring 2005); Gradiva (Spring 2004). An article by Cristogianni on "The Five Worst Cases of Anti-Italianism in U.S. History" will also be appearing in the Fall 2009 edition of PRIMO.

All of Cristogianni Borsella's books can be found on Amazon.com by simply typing CRISTOGIANNI into the search engine. Currently, Cristogianni is in the process of writing two additional books—one being very near completion.