The American Doctor

by Salvatore J. Forcina

Overview

Born in Italy during World War II, Salvatore Forcina was a young boy who survived all odds by living through his young childhood without any real or proper shelter. Like many Italians during this time, a month after turning eight years old, his parents followed this migration to Argentina, a developing country at the time rich with natural resources and hope for a more stable life. Sent away to live with Redemptorist priests for seven long years as the only available option to study, this young boy struggled emotionally and psychologically with no social outlets and little emotional development.

Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master. Despite his meager beginnings which provided no social and little educational opportunity and despite the many years and setbacks it took him to accomplish this, his goal was ultimately accomplished because of his sheer determination.

This true-life story is motivating, uplifting, and based on what genuine love of family can provide to someone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592115136
Publisher:	Histria Books
Publication date:	04/01/2025
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina, M.D. was born in Scauri, Italy in 1941. This was the time of World War II and the war and its aftermath presented locals with few options other than to flee their homes and later, ultimately their country. At eight years old he moved to Azul, Argentina where he attended Jovenado, a sleepaway school for boys run by Redemptorist priests. Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master. Dr. Salvatore J. Forcina, M.D. was born in Scauri, Italy in 1941. This was the time of World War I and the war and its aftermath presented locals with few options other than to flee their homes and later, ultimately their country. At eight years old he moved to Azul, Argentina where he attended Jovenado, a sleepaway school for boys run by Redemptorist priests. Salvatore’s dream to study medicine and help people propelled him to carry on and continue his education, eventually being educated and living on three different continents, each with a new language to learn and master.

Editorial Reviews

"A memoir that reinforces the spirit of working toward a better tomorrow and always believing in yourself." —K.C. Finn of Readers Favorite.

"A truly captivating book that includes several intriguing themes - including Italian food, friendship, loss, prejudice, family, cancer, medicine, and jealousy." —Foluso Falaye of Readers Favorite.

"This book felt like I was reliving the author’s life. I cannot recommend it enough for those looking for an emotional rollercoaster ride." —Joanne Ang of Readers Favorite.

"The prose is clear and straightforward, and the author painstakingly re-creates everyday events as well as notable moments of sorrow and achievement—the many elements that make up a good life." —Kirkus Reviews.

"Recommended to students of emigration history, Italian-Americans who want to learn more about the ordeals their ancestors experienced in the last century, and young medical students with the same passion that Dr. Salvatore Forcina had to help people through the practice of medicine."—Rosara Passero

"An inherently fascinating and impressively well written memoir, The American Doctor is one of those exceptional life-story memoirs that are ultimately inspiring and truly memorable."—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

2023-06-08
A man born in Italy during World War II recalls his immigration to the United States and his life as an American surgeon.

Forcina, currently a retiree living in central Florida, was born in the small Italian town of Scauri and raised in Argentina, where, as a young man, he studied to become a doctor. After graduating, he saw no future for himself in the South American country, so he immigrated to the United States, where he worked hard and had a successful medical career, reaching the status of chief of surgery at two New Jersey hospitals. He married his American wife, Roberta, in the mid-1970s and soon had a daughter; now in his late 70s, he says that he wrote this book to document the ups and downs of his life for his granddaughter, who he hopes “will read this book as a source of guidance. I wish for her to know that life will throw many things at her….I hope this book will serve as a guide for her.” To other potential readers, he also seeks to impart a lesson: “Remember that no matter what, and no matter how difficult the path may be, you can and will succeed.” Over the course of this remembrance, Forcina shows that he led an exemplary life and recalls it all with touching gratitude and affection. The prose is clear and straightforward, and he painstakingly re-creates everyday events as well as notable moments of sorrow and achievement—the many elements that make up a good life. The high note of the memoir comes when the author is discussing how his immigration to the United States gave him a sense of stability: “For many years I had lived in limbo, with great uncertainty. I was no one in particular and felt like a boat lost in the open sea at the mercy of the wind. Those feelings left me the moment I raised my right hand and pledged my allegiance to America.”

An affecting life story that the author’s family and friends are likely to treasure.

Kirkus Reviews