Product Description
Action! Drama! Comedy! A lusty, fast paced, chaotic but comical tale about Italians hijacking wine in defiance of Prohibition.
The unsung heroes that led to the repeal of prohibition. The Robin Hoods of the Roaring Twenties!
Early childhood experiences and recalling of the many family stories told by the old folks, their friends and colleagues enabled the author, Bruno Buti to gather enough material and factual documentation to tell this tale of prohibition in the San Francisco Bay Area during the exciting Twenties.
The author recalls the many stories and anecdotes passed down by the old folks, their friends and colleagues. In his first book, Rumbling Wine Barrels, he unveils fond memories by taking us back to a time when a group of Italian immigrants engaged in a fast paced, chaotic but comical, hell bent for destruction wine hijacking escapade centered in San Francisco. He tells how, during prohibition, these cunning rascals outwitted federal agents linked to East Coast syndicates, and how old world vendettas were settled in the traditional Italian manner associated with this lucrative but risky business. Truths and half-truths, having been skillfully dramatized, reflect a time in San Francisco's history that spawned these would-be unsung heroes of prohibition, "The Robin Hoods of the Roaring Twenties." The front cover scene depicts a chaotic wine hijacking in progress. We see Primo Novelli, behind the wheel of the Mack truck as it comes roaring out of the warehouse with Al Giovanetti, hanging on, wielding a skullcrushing tire iron. In an attempt to thwart their escape, the gangster, Lungo, gun drawn, faces up to both man and machine. Primo, urged by Al, makes a split-second decision. With accelerator to the floorboard, the huge Mack bears down on the gunman. Obscured in the background street scene, as all hell breaks loose, is Primo's buddy, Puccinelli (Pucci) the San Francisco Fire Inspector, with a company of loyal firefighters running interference for the hijackers. However, they were forced to take cover as the big Mack came rumbling by, leaving crushed and gyrating fire hoses in its wake.
Product Details
| Publisher | Buti Publications |
| ISBN | 0964896001 |
| Number Of Pages | 355 |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Author | Bruno Buti |
| EAN | 9780964896000 |
| Label | Buti Publications |
| Edition | 1st |
| Studio | Buti Publications |
| Title | Rumbling Wine Barrels |
| Publication Date | 1996 |
| Manufacturer | Buti Publications |
Customer Reviews
It's like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE in Italian.Review by Bruce D. Clayton, 2001-03-07
I bought this book for my daughter for a school report on Prohibition. I could not put it down. This book is fast-paced and extremely funny. It shows the warmly human side of these happy-go-lucky Italians as they break into the illegal wine business through a series of Sting-like raids on other people's illegal wine .
I loved the incident where they stored a few thousand gallons of red wine in the farm's water tank temporarily. When they returned to the farm, all their friends were having a party. They had hot and cold running wine from the kitchen tap! A gift from God!
You'll be telling people about this book.
One of the most interesting books I've ever read
Review by Mary Goldsmith, 2001-01-11
Someone recommended this book to me, knowing about my interest in the Prohibition. I must say I was a bit disappointed with the quality of the writing. I am not exactly an expert, but I found more than a respectable number of grammatical errors.As far as the plot goes, it was very exciting. I was never bored and I liked the way Buti described the events. He has a skill for imagry if not for spelling. However, it was just a bit jumbled and hard to follow. Perhaps a few more revisions would have really helped improve the quality of the book.
Quick action packed saga of Italian life at that period.
Review by Anonymous, 1999-04-12
Coming from an Italian heritage this was a fun and interesting book . It has colorful characters.
Loved It ! Someone should make a movie out this book . . .
Review by Beverly Del Fava borhob@sonic.net, 1999-03-15
This was a book that had a lot of meaning to me . I was born and raised around where this story takes place , Sonoma county. There have alway been storys about the Napa Valley and none of Sonoma county etc. I like that the Italians are shown in a fun way and not in the Godfatherish way , so much. So maybe people will see that there is another side to the Italians . Not just shot them up all the time. Great story. Can't wilt till the new book Jackass Brandy comes out . Beverly Del Fava
If you liked Rumbling Wine Barrels you'll love Jackass Brand
Review by Anonymous, 1999-01-25
The sequel to Rumbling Wine Barrels has been put to bed and will soon be available. Jackass Brandy continues the saga of bootlegging immigrants during Prohibition in a humorous, if not hillarious, tale depicting the times when an illegal business was used by bootleggers, lawmen, businessmen, prostitutes, and local civilians who tried their luck at making money the easy way. This book will hold your attention to the last page and bring back the times to what the author, Bruno Buti, calls "the Robin Hoods of the Roaring Twenties."
