Was It Really Like That?

This book gives a startling account of many aspects of the author's life and an insight into the life of a peasant family, who migrated to Australia in the mid 1950's, leaving everything behind to face an uncertain future in a strange and unfamiliar country on the far side of the world. There were no guarantees of rich rewards or promises of an easier life, just a sincere hope for a chance at a new start, especially for their children. There was anticipation and there was fear, but it was their hope and aspirations which sustained them and gave them courage. The experience was a daunting one for any migrant of those times, but the contributions made to Australian life must not go unnoticed. The changes were many, as were the trials and tribulations. This book also gives a `potted' insight into the author's early childhood and adulthood; his memoirs, a record of events of which he has a reasonably intimate knowledge being based upon personal observations and events. Gino also remembers all the good and fun times, and he portrays these beautifully and graphically through the many characters you will encounter in this book. He brings them to life and engages the reader, simply by the humour and by the special qualities that each one of these characters magnifies and how all of these experiences impacted on his own life. To some extent it's an autobiography of how all this impacted on him from boyhood and beyond shaping his life in ways he could not have imagined. A reflection on simpler times, coupled with the advances of technology, give an interesting and, perhaps, timely reminder of where we have been, where we are, and what could lie ahead for all of us at different stages of our own lives. The numerous old photos, cleverly scattered throughout this book, bring to life some of the realities of the times.