Author Richard Robbins will discuss his ne w book\, \;We Do What We Must: Blood\, Wine\, and the Birth of the American Mafia in New Orleans. The talk will be followed by a book s igning. \;
\nThis fictionalized tale recounts the story of the t rue life Giacona family\, who emigrated from Sicily to New Orleans in the 1890s. They came to the US to escape the influence of The Mafia\, only to be confronted by the same challenges in the New World. \;Pietro and Co rrado\, father and son\, \;do what they must \;to defend their fam ily and business from the dreaded Black Hand\, as well as powerful organiz ed crime families. They proceed the only way they know how: through braver y\, guile\, and tough choices. Although committed to living as "Honest Ita lians\," their choices lead them down a perilous path.
\nRichard liv es with his wife in New Orleans and New York City\, near their adult child ren\, and his work is infused with the flavor of those vibrant and unique cities. Richard was named Louisiana Independent Author of the Year for 202 0\, and his works have won numerous awards\, including Feathered Quill Boo k Awards and Readers' Favorite Book Awards. \;We Do What We Must \;won the 2022 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Historical Fict ion. \;
\nSponsored by Friends of Hubbell Library