Strangers in Paradiso

In Philadelphia, as the Great War approaches, the Donatello brothers grow up, each in his own way. While Peter begins learning English and works hard to provide for his brothers, good-natured Angelu struggles to fit in. At the same time, John goes his own way, taking what menial jobs he can get while forever looking for more promising opportunities. When a friend's draft notice arrives, John eagerly takes his place. On the French front lines, however, John witnesses first-hand the horror and reality of war. At the same time, he develops skills that will stand him in good stead in the coming years: skirting the law, making deals, and shooting whatever he's aiming at. Reminiscent of John Jakes' Bicentennial series, The New Americans by Tony and Ty Drago is a wonderfully moving saga. The genesis of the story is itself a tale: in his final weeks, Tony Drago tape-recorded what his son Ty thought were simple reminiscences. It was only in the years following Tony's death, after Ty became an established novelist, that he listened to the tapes and realized his father had left him, not a family history, but rather an emotional novel of immigration, rebirth, and growth. Milherst Publishing is honored to bring this story to the world.