{"title":"Memoirs \u0026 Legacy","description":"\u003cp\u003ePersonal stories, family histories, and reflective narratives from Piazza Publishing. These titles capture lives lived with purpose — from faith and family to adventure and resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"salt-and-stone","title":"Salt and Stone: How Two Sicilian Worlds Converged to Build a Brooklyn Sanctuary","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhat happens when the wide, sea-bleached horizon of the Sicilian coast meets the steep, snow-covered stone fortresses of the high mountains?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSalt and Stone\u003c\/i\u003e is a deeply moving generational memoir that traces the remarkable trajectory of the Piazza and Bencivinni families. From the relentless salt pans of Trapani and the alpine alleys of Petralia Sottana to the fire escapes, subway tracks, and brownstone stoops of East New York, this book captures the raw, unvarnished grit of a generation that traded everything for a chance at a future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on rich family oral histories, vintage photographs, genealogical archives, and vivid historical context, author Lenny Piazza chronicles a vanishing era of mid-century American neighborhood life. Experience the unbreakable bonds forged through the trials of early 20th-century immigration, the harsh labor of building New York's transit infrastructure, the perilous waters navigated by World War II Merchant Marines, and the vibrant, open-door warmth of the traditional Bencivinni kitchen table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, this compelling narrative explores:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Old-World Roots:\u003c\/b\u003e The contrasting environments that shaped the resilient spirit of our ancestors, from maritime commerce to alpine survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Crucible of East New York:\u003c\/b\u003e A front-row view of classic mid-century Brooklyn street life—from stoop culture and stickball to neighborhood parishes and local micro-economies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eService and Sacrifice:\u003c\/b\u003e The untold stories of front-line Merchant Marine voyages, wartime tank mechanics, and the relentless physical labor that laid New York's foundations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Architecture of Sanctuary:\u003c\/b\u003e How unconditional family loyalty, shared Sunday dinners, and the enduring philosophy of \u003ci\u003e\"Ben ci vinni\"\u003c\/i\u003e (well-arrived hospitality) created an unbreakable home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Upward Journey:\u003c\/b\u003e The inspiring evolution across three generations from immigrant struggle to modern professional leadership in law, finance, technology, education, and public service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRich with historical depth, poignant personal reflection, and detailed family trees, \u003ci\u003eSalt and Stone\u003c\/i\u003e is both a loving tribute to those who came before and a timeless reminder of where we find our true strength.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44141029195894,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover2.jpg?v=1788803170"},{"product_id":"dead-drops-and-root-tips","title":"Dead Drops and Root Tips: Statecraft, Sabotage, and the Subterranean Intelligence Network","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the surprising, hidden blueprints of survival where human history and the natural world intersect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cb\u003eDead Drops and Root Tips: Statecraft, Sabotage, and the Subterranean Intelligence Network\u003c\/b\u003e, veteran systems thinker Lenny Piazza weaves a dual-narrative exploring how decentralized networks endure when formal institutions collapse. Part I plunges readers into the shadowed attics, clandestine radios, and underground safe houses of World War II resistance cells. Part II turns downward to the forest floor, examining the ancient mycorrhizal \"Wood Wide Web\"—the subterranean fungal network that roots, feeds, and warns plant communities through ecological crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBridging the gap between the IT framework of Root Cause Analysis and the adaptive resilience of living ecosystems, this book reveals a single universal truth: whether dodging occupying patrols or surviving a forest drought, life does not endure through isolated competition, but through connection. Complete with chapter-by-chapter comparisons, a comparative glossary, and a selected bibliography, this provocative guide offers a fresh lens on resilience, mutual aid, and the power of the underground.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44141132513398,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover.jpg?v=1788805200"},{"product_id":"an-angel-walks-in-my-garden","title":"An Angel Walks In My Garden","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel md-content enable-updated-hr-color force-compact-layout tutor-markdown-rendering\" id=\"model-response-message-contentr_217dd1293b22ceae\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Angel Walks in My Garden: Meditations on Faith, Soil, and Slow Grace\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover faith not in grand moments of certainty, but in the quiet, dirt-under-the-fingernails rhythm of daily return.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten from within a contemplative Catholic tradition, \u003ci\u003eAn Angel Walks in My Garden\u003c\/i\u003e is not a gardening manual, nor is it a traditional devotional with neat answers. Instead, it is a deeply reflective record of what happens when you step away from the noise of the world and into the patient, unhurried space of a backyard container garden and greenhouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough seventeen intimate chapters, this book explores the spiritual parallels between tending the earth and walking with God. From the quiet discipline of watering and weeding to the humbling realities of garden failure and dormant seasons, these pages invite you to discover:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Discipline of Attention:\u003c\/b\u003e Why slowing down to notice small changes teaches us to recognize God’s quiet presence in our everyday lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Grace of Unseen Work:\u003c\/b\u003e How learning to trust the dark, hidden root systems beneath the soil can help us endure seasons of waiting and uncertainty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompanionship Without Answers:\u003c\/b\u003e An exploration of an unannounced, steady presence that walks step-for-step beside us—patient with our limits, comfortable with mystery, and untroubled by our pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarrying the Practice:\u003c\/b\u003e How the lessons learned on the patio and pathways can be carried out into the ordinary, chaotic ground of sidewalks, waiting rooms, and daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are an experienced grower or someone simply searching for a quieter, more grounded way to live out your faith, this book offers a sanctuary for the soul. It won't rush you toward conclusions or demand perfection. It will simply walk with you for a while—and remind you that you are never tending alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44141195722870,"sku":null,"price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover_22a746f1-4e10-4b90-843f-6fbf6c44a7b3.png?v=1788806348"},{"product_id":"fast-is-expensive-building-a-greenhouse-the-hard-way","title":"Fast is Expensive: Building a Greenhouse the Hard Way","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFast is Expensive: Building a Greenhouse the Hard Way\u003c\/b\u003e by Lenny Piazza is a witty, honest, and deeply relatable memoir for anyone who has ever underestimated a weekend DIY project. Blending practical hard-earned wisdom with self-deprecating humor,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePiazza chronicles his quest to extend a short 150-day Colorado Springs growing season, outsmart elite local mule deer, survive the HOA gauntlet, and recover from a disaster of a contractor who turned his backyard into a war zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis engaging book explores the realities of homeowner optimism, the absolute necessity of a level foundation, and the peace that comes when you finally stop taking shortcuts. Perfect for gardeners, DIY enthusiasts, and homeowners who appreciate a good laugh at their own expense, this story proves that while fast is expensive, doing it right is always worth it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44147581517942,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover_0f0f292c-f02f-45b1-841e-92022d78c6ca.png?v=1788881501"},{"product_id":"the-piazza-family-legacy-tradition-religion-and-the-seven-fishes","title":"The Piazza Family Legacy: Tradition, Religion, and The Seven Fishes","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eStep into the warmth of a Brooklyn kitchen, the rugged beauty of the Madonie Mountains, and the sun-drenched docks of Sicily with \u003cb\u003eThe Piazza Family Legacy: Tradition, Religion, and The Seven Fishes\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWritten by Lenny Piazza, this deeply moving and mouth-watering memoir chronicles nearly a century of family, faith, and food across four generations. From the cobblestone alleys of Petralia Sottana and Trapani to the red-brick classrooms of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bushwick, this book explores how immigrant traditions transformed into an anchor for a blue-collar family living the American dream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDiscover the rich heritage behind the legendary Christmas Eve \u003ci\u003eLa Vigilia\u003c\/i\u003e (Feast of the Seven Fishes), complete with time-honored recipes for homemade cuccidati, baccalà, lasagna, and the sacred midnight transition from sea to land. More than a collection of recipes or holiday rules, this is a tribute to the resilient transit workers and factory seamstresses who built an empire of love out of steel and silk—and a timeless reminder of the profound power of showing up for family.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44147758039158,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover_db38a613-ba0e-4f9f-9d23-79e71faa1fd3.png?v=1788884885"},{"product_id":"an-angel-walks-with-me-finding-a-quiet-peace-in-the-garden","title":"An Angel Walks with Me: Finding a Quiet  Peace in the Garden","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYou were never meant to walk the path alone.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn the frantic rush of a high-pressure career, the quiet transition of retirement, or the daily navigation of physical limitations, it is easy to feel disconnected—from the earth, from yourself, and from the Divine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn Angel Walks With Me: Finding a Quiet Peace in the Garden\u003c\/i\u003e by Lenny Piazza is an invitation to step off the grid of modern stress and into a sanctuary of grace. Building on the beloved foundations of \u003ci\u003eAn Angel Walks in My Garden\u003c\/i\u003e, this reflective guide shows you how to cultivate a \"Garden Heart\"—a place of internal peace that remains unshakable regardless of your external circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhether you are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Achiever\u003c\/b\u003e looking for stillness in the storm of deadlines and digital noise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Retiree\u003c\/b\u003e seeking new purpose and a deep, quiet pride in a slower pace of life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Resilient Soul\u003c\/b\u003e navigating life with physical challenges, finding profound strength and beauty in stillness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThrough ten meditative chapters, rich prose, and gentle reflections, you will learn to match your pace with the celestial companion who has been waiting for you at the gate all along.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe gate is open. Your walk begins now.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Piazza Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44147867811958,"sku":null,"price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0719\/5521\/8550\/files\/Cover_b87e0e02-22ab-488e-bcf0-c44971ee7611.png?v=1788887252"}],"url":"https:\/\/piazzapublishing.store\/collections\/memoirs-legacy.oembed","provider":"Piazza Publishing Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}