Lucky Corner: The Biography of Congressman Alfred E. Santangelo and the Rise of Italian Americans in Politics

Lucky Corner tells the story of Alfred E. Santangelo (1912-1978), who represented New York City’s upper east side, including East Harlem, in the New York State Senate and in the United States Congress from 1947 to 1963. Written by his wife, companion, and confidante, this book opens a window to a vanishing world of first- and second-generation Italian Americans and reveals a picture of a man who became a champion for Italian-American rights. Lucky Corner is a unique contribution to Italian-American political biography as it was written by his partner in all his endeavors, who was in the best position to create a well-rounded portrait, not only of her husband as a man but also as the politician and advocate.