Abstract

The historical research on Italian Americans have so far mainly focused on the great migration and the following integration in the United States. Two recently published books adopt a new chronological approach. One takes in account the five centuries long relationship between Italians and America. The second focus on Italian immigration to the US in the second half of the Nineteenth century and on its impact on american arts and culture. These two new approaches mark the end of a longlasting separation between the historical traditions of the two countries. That separation was also the result of the difficult relationship between Italian and Italians Americans, marked by negative biases and resentment on each side. The character of the latest arrivals from Italy and the glamorous image that Italy has developed in the last decades, based on fashion, design and a worldwide appreciated cooking, have helped to build a new mutual interest and consideration on both the sides.