Alessandro Busonero
Ed. Helicon
pp. 332
"Porto S. Stefano, today a renowned seaside resort known in Italy and abroad, as well as the capital of the Municipality of Monte Argentario (GR), was part of the territory of the small State of the Royal Spanish Presidia of Tuscany established in 1557 ..."
Porto Santo Stefano is also the country of origin of a man, Libero Busonero, the author's grandfather, who personally experienced World War II.
Alessandro, with his book, recalls the events of his grandfather through the memories of his family, the jealously guarded photos between the pages of old albums and military documents re-emerged from the archives thanks to his will.
It is something more than a book of memories of a single man, the story of a family, the Busonero, and more generally of the whole country, takes shape thanks to the wise writing.
This text is simultaneously a history book, a biography, a collection of memories and an example of life. Thus, leafing through its pages we encounter the origin of Porto Santo Stefano, the progenitor of the Busonero family (Gio Antonio Busonero, from Nuoro) and the life of Libero told by documents and relatives.
Libero is the first child of Anna Landini and Emilio Busonero, he grows in the agricultural environment working with his father in the family lands, in particular in the "vineyard of the valley", the family vineyard looked after with such care.
It grows in a fascist Italy, well told in the book, and only in the 1937 part for the weapons. On the first of March of the 1937, Libero presented himself to the Military Command assigned: the Cavalleggeri Guide Regiment in Parma. The author tells us in great detail the story of the glorious Cavalleggeri Guide Regiment, illustrated also through the family photos of his grandfather Libero.
Libero was assigned to the 2 Cavalleggeri squadron and was given a horse with a gray cloak with black spots on his paws which he affectionately renamed Piombo, like the family donkey he used to take to the country lanes as a child. Twelve months of military service transformed the young country boy into a good military man, proud of his service and in love with his horse and saber.
But in the 39 the War begins in the 1940 Italy enters the war next to the German ally. The 15 Settembre 1940 Libero is recalled into service at its old department and a few days later leaves for Puglia with its fellow soldiers, where it participates in the defense of the Adriatic coast.
Alessandro Busonero continues in the story of the life of his grandfather Libero, alternating the family events with the cruel ones of the war, the bombings, the destructions, wisely alternating happy moments and sad moments, family life and history of Italy.
A great book that deserves to be part of the personal library not only of a true santostefanese but of every Italian.
Finally, not without importance, with the purchase of the book one becomes part of the supporters of the Foundation Operation Smile Italia Onlus.
Alessandro Rugolo
