The Son of an Italian Immigrant

About the Book

About the Author

Hard work and lifelong dedication to American values took Harold Cornacchia, the son of poor Italian immigrant from Monteleone, Italy, from the streets of Brooklyn to the halls of academia. He lived the American Dream during one of the most fascinating periods in modern American history. Born in 1914, Cornacchia grew up during the Great Depression. Early on he dedicated himself to improving the lives of inner city youth through recreational sports and outdoor activities. After WWII, he received his doctorate of education from Stanford University becoming a school teacher and administrator in rural communities of California where he developed programs such as free dental care and playground safety. In the 1956, the author became a professor of Health Education at San Francisco State University, beginning a productive thirty year academic career. In 1961, he presented a TV mini-series on first aid which aired on public television (KQED). Over the next two decades, he authored several ground breaking books including Drugs in the Classroom, and Consumer Health, and multiple editions of widely used text book, Health in Elementary Schools. This autobiography chronicles his 20th century odyssey, which should serve as an inspiration to all aspiring educators.