欧宝娱乐

I recall enjoying this book when I first read it more than 40 years ago. This time I spent more time cringing at the derogatory slurs, the ethnic stereotypes and the patronizing tone. Set in a small coastal Italian town in the final weeks of WWII, it is the story of the American occupation which turns the town around. The Major who leads the town鈥檚 restoration has the wisdom of Solomon, the sobriety of John the Baptist and the compassion of Mother Theresa. In a few weeks, he does what the locals can not do for themselves, rooting out corruption, ending extortion, providing adequate food from local sources, reviving the town鈥檚 sanitation, regenerating a sense of mutual respect among the townsfolk, and bringing about a sense of joy all while worrying about the town鈥檚 lost bell. Hersey satirizes the incompetent military brass, the drunk military underlings, the gossipy and inept Italians at the same time he is telling a rather sweet story.