Frank Sinatra: History, Identity, and Italian American Culture

Frank Sinatra's death in 1998 spawned a series of books focusing on his remarkable career, which took him from the streets of Hoboken, N.J., to the pinnacle of fame. But Sinatra's emergence also signaled an ethnic community's arrival in mainstream society. To the sons and daughters of millions of Italian immigrants, Sinatra's inimitable style epitomized what it meant to be Italian-American in the middle and late 20th century. This collection of essays, written by various historians and critics, takes an extended look at Sinatra through the lens of Italian-American culture, examining the role that Sinatra's roots played in his artistic choices, his decision to embrace controversial political causes and the wide-ranging influence he had on American society. The book is something of a mixed bag; some of the essays crackle with detail and insight, while others get bogged down in academic-speak. Nevertheless, the collection as a whole offers a fascinating and complex look at this American icon. We learn about Sinatra's early determination to retain his Italian surname and his canny use of his Italian roots to graft a tough image onto his skinny frame. We also see how organized crime associations dogged him for much of his life, and discover a bit about his complex relationship with his immigrant mother. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the way Sinatra's own sense of himself as an outsider and his firm belief in loyalty led him to forge lasting friendships with black performers and become a genuine champion of civil rights. Historian Douglas Brinkley asks in the book's opening chapter whether we should take Ol' Blue Eyes seriously. By the end of this book, readers will agree that we should.