About Face

About the Book

During the Italian occupation of Corsica in World War II, an Italian soldier, Renzo Crespi, falls in love with a Corsican girl. Adrienne Santi. Since any relationship with the enemy is forbidden on both sides, they must meet surreptitiously. At the same time, the Corsican underground is plotting to escape the grip of the Axis powers.

Other characters with great impact on their lives include Renzo’s commanding officer, Captain Benelli, whose unique style complicates relations with the local citizens as well as his own future; Monsieur Santi, Adrienne’s grandfather, who is an imposing presence and whose views of the world have a profound effect on Renzo; and Tonelli, Renzo’s friend and confidante, whose lifestyle and personal choices are in stark contrast to Renzo’s beliefs.

When Italy signs the Armistice with America, Great Britain and France, Corsica becomes a battleground between the German and Italian forces.

Blending historical fact with a dangerous romance, this novel attempts to set the record straight concerning the Italian Armed Forces’ actions during this critical period in world history.

About the Author

Born in Sicily in 1922, Salvatore Cammalleri joined the Italian Armed Forces in January 1942. That year he was in Corsica with his army division while the historical events in this book took place. At the end of the war he returned to Sicily, where he met an American girl, Lucy Iozzia, who was visiting relatives. Following a short courtship they married and soon after he came to the United States. Now retired, Mr. Cammalleri and his wife of 53 years reside in Hawthorne, New Jersey enjoying the bliss of the past and the promise of the future.