Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Mentoris Project The Mentoris Project is a series of novels and biographies about the lives of great men and women who have changed history through their contributions as scientists, inventors, explorers, thinkers, and creators. ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://mentorisproject.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Podcast](https://mentorisproject.org/podcast-2/) - Dr. Rosanne Welch sits down with our authors for a deeper look at their subjects and why they matter to modern readers. - [Kingsley Day on Benedictine Monk Guido d'Arezzo](https://mentorisproject.org/kingsley-day-on-benedictine-monk-guido-darezzo/) - Our guest today is Kingsley Day, the author of Music's Guiding Hand: A Novel Inspired by the Life of Guido d'Arezzo, a Benedictine monk who is regarded as the inventor, or by some, the developer, of the modern staff notation in music—though his birthdate is somewhere around 990CE and his birthplace, possibly Tuscany, possibly Ferrara—are - [Eric Martin on mathematician Maria Agnesi](https://mentorisproject.org/eric-martin-on-maria-agnesi/) - Our guest today is Eric Martin, the author of The Witch of Agnesi: A Novel Based on the Life of Maria Agnesi, the Italian mathematician from the 1700s who became the first woman to write a mathematics handbook and the first appointed to be a mathematics professor at a university, the University of Bologna. Listen - [Nicole Gregory on The Seven Senses of Italy](https://mentorisproject.org/nicole-gregory-on-the-seven-senses-of-italy/) - Our guest today is Nicole Gregory, the author of Belle Luna de Miele: Love and Adventure in Italy Where All the Senses are Awakened (released as The Seven Senses of Italy). It's a part love story and a part travelogue, The Seven Senses of Italy follows two American newlyweds as they breathe in the sights, sounds, aromas, - [Robert Barbera on Building Wealth 101 about managing personal finances](https://mentorisproject.org/robert-barbera-on-building-wealth-101-about-managing-personal-finances/) - Our guest today is Robert Barbera, the author of Building Wealth 101, where he offers up his advice about how to make your own wealth. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Jule Selbo on Breaking Barriers about the first woman to earn a doctorate in science Laura Bassi](https://mentorisproject.org/jule-selbo-on-breaking-barriers-about-the-first-woman-to-earn-a-doctorate-in-science-laura-bassi/) - Our guest today is Jule Selbo, author of Breaking Barriers: A Novel Based on the Life of Laura Bassi, the first woman in the world to be appointed a university chair in a scientific field, after being the first woman to earn a professorship in physics at any university. In those positions she brought Newtonian - [Robert Barbera on How to Jump-Start Your Way to Real Estate Wealth](https://mentorisproject.org/robert-barbera-on-how-to-jump-start-your-way-to-real-estate-wealth/) - Our guest today is Robert Barbera, author of How to Jump-Start Your Way to Real Estate Wealth, a how-to guide for those ready to take the step into owning properties for rent as their primary or secondary source of income. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Karen Richardson on Harvesting the American Dream about wine maker Ernest Gallo](https://mentorisproject.org/karen-richardson-on-harvesting-the-american-dream-about-wine-maker-ernest-gallo/) - Today's guest is Karen Richardson, author of Harvesting the American Dream: A Novel Based on the Life of Ernest Gallo who co-founded the E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California, in 1933. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Cynthia Cooper on No Person Above the Law about Watergate judge John Sirica](https://mentorisproject.org/cynthia-cooper-on-no-man-above-the-law-about-watergate-judge-john-sirica/) - Today's guest is Cynthia Cooper, author of No Person Above the Law: A Novel Based on the Life of Judge John J. Sirica, the judge from the District of Columbia who ordered President Richard Nixon to turn over his recordings of the White House conversations, a question at the heart of the Watergate scandal of - [Nicole Gregory on God's Messenger about immigrant advocate Mother Cabrini](https://mentorisproject.org/nicole-gregory-on-gods-messenger-about-immigrant-advocate-mother-cabrini/) - Today's guest is Nicole Gregory, author of God's Messenger, The Astounding Achievements of Mother Cabrini: A Novel Based on the Life of Mother Frances X. Cabrini, the Catholic nun who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was the first naturalized citizen of the United States to be canonized by the - [Francesca Valente on The People's Banker about banker A. P. Giannini](https://mentorisproject.org/francesca-valente-on-the-peoples-banker-about-banker-a-p-giannini/) - Our guest today is Francesca Valente, author of A. P. Giannini, The People's Banker which covers the second-generation Italian-American who founded the Bank of Italy which became today's Bank of America. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Kate Fuglei on Fermi's Gifts about physicist Enrico Fermi](https://mentorisproject.org/kate-fuglei-on-fermis-gifts-about-physicist-enrico-fermi/) - Today's guest is Kate Fuglei, author of Fermi's Gifts, A Novel Based on the Life of Enrico Fermi, known as the architect of the Nuclear Age and for his work on the Manhattan Project during World War II. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Robert Barbera on Building Wealth about his secrets to success](https://mentorisproject.org/robert-barbera-on-building-wealth-about-his-secrets-to-success/) - Our guest today is Robert Barbera, author of Building Wealth: From Shoeshine Boy to Real Estate Magnate, which offers readers a look into how he defines wealth and some tips on obtaining that sort of wealth for themselves. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Pamela Winfrey on Marconi and His Muses about inventor Guglielmo Marconi](https://mentorisproject.org/pamela-winfrey-on-marconis-muses-about-inventor-guglielmo-marconi/) - Today's guest is Pamela Winfrey, author of Marconi and his Muses: A Novel Based on the Life of Guglielmo Marconi, who is best known for inventing the telegraph system and long-distance radio transmissions, work which won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Dr. Peg A. Lamphier on Soldier, Diplomat, Archaeologist about Civil War cavalry commander and first director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Louis Palma di Cesnola](https://mentorisproject.org/dr-peg-a-lamphier-on-soldier-diplomat-archaeologist-about-civil-war-cavalry-commander-and-first-director-of-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-louis-palma-di-cesnola/) - Today's guest is Peg Lamphier, author of Soldier, Diplomat, Archaeologist: A Novel Based on the Bold Life of Louis Palma di Cesnola, an Italian immigrant who served with honor in the American Civil War and then—once the was was ended—became the first director of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Listen Now or Subscribe - [Dr. Peg A. Lamphier on Little By Little We Won about union organizer Angela Bambace](https://mentorisproject.org/dr-peg-a-lamphier-on-little-by-little-we-won-about-union-organizer-angela-bambace/) - Our guest today is Peg Lamphier, author of Little By Little We Won: A Novel Based on the Life of Angela Bambace. An Italian-Brazilian-American, she was a labor organizer whose life spanned from the time of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in 1912 to being a delegate in the 1968 Democratic National Convention. All her - [Stacia Raymond on Grace Notes about film composer Henry Mancini](https://mentorisproject.org/stacia-raymond-on-grace-notes-about-film-composer-henry-mancini/) - Today's guest is Stacia Raymond, author of Grace Notes: A Novel Based on the Life of Henry Mancini, the four-time Academy Award-winning composer of "Moon River" and "The Pink Panther Theme." But you may not know he also contributed music to cult films like The Creature from the Black Lagoon. And even fewer folks will - [Dr. Rosanne Welch on America's Forgotten Founding Father about Thomas Jefferson's friend and influencer Filippo Mazzei (interview by Dr. Peg A. Lamphier)](https://mentorisproject.org/dr-rosanne-welch-on-americas-forgotten-founding-father-about-thomas-jeffersons-friend-and-influencer-filippo-mazzei-interview-by-dr-peg-a-lamphier/) - Today's guest is Rosanne Welch, author of America's Forgotten Founding Father: A Novel Based on the Life of Filippo Mazzei, an Italian immigrant who befriended Benjamin Franklin in London and then, moved next door to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Together, the men wrote many pamphlets supporting the American Revolution. In one of those we find Filippo - [W.A.W. Parker on The Divine Proportions of Luca Pacioli about mathematician and founder of double-entry bookkeeping Luca Pacioli](https://mentorisproject.org/w-a-w-parker-on-the-divine-proportions-of-luca-pacioli-about-mathematician-and-founder-of-double-entry-bookkeeping-luca-pacioli/) - Our guest today is W.A.W. Parker, author of The Divine Proportions of Luca Pacioli: A Novel Based on the Life of Luca Pacioli. Known as the father of accounting in bookkeeping in Europe, Pacioli was a friar who worked with, among others, Leonardo da Vinci. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Peter David Myers on Leonardo's Secret about artist Leonardo da Vinci](https://mentorisproject.org/peter-david-myers-on-leonardos-secret-about-artist-leonardo-da-vinci/) - Today's guest is Peter David Myers, author of Leonardo's Secret: A Novel Based on the Life of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who seemingly needs no introduction thanks to the world fame that comes from beloved paintings such The Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and the impressive collection of inventions found in his diaries. Listen - [Jule Selbo on Dreams of Discovery about explorer John Cabot](https://mentorisproject.org/jule-selbo-on-dreams-of-discovery-about-explorer-john-cabot/) - Today's guest is Dr. Jule Selbo, author of Dreams of Discovery: A Novel Based on the Life of John Cabot who discovered the coast of North America under a commission by Henry VII. Since he was sponsored by the English, his name has gone down in history as John Cabot when in fact, he was - [Kate Fuglei on The Soul of a Child about educator Maria Montessori](https://mentorisproject.org/kate-fuglei-on-the-soul-of-a-child-about-educator-maria-montessori/) - Our guest today is Kate Fulglei, author of The Soul of a Child: A Novel Based on the Life of Maria Montessori, an Italian educator who founded the child-centered educational approach that still bears her name and is based on scientific observations of children. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Nicole Gregory on Defying Danger about Jesuit missionary Father Matteo Ricci](https://mentorisproject.org/nicole-gregory-on-defying-danger-about-jesuit-missionary-father-matteo-ricci/) - Our guest today is Nicole Gregory, author of Defying Danger: A Novel Based on the Life of Father Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest, the first European to enter the Forbidden City of Beijing in 1601 and the gentleman who translated the Confucian classics into Latin for the very first time. Listen Now or Subscribe - [Margaret O'Reilly on Humble Servant of Truth about theologian St. Thomas Aquinas](https://mentorisproject.org/margaret-oreilly-on-humble-servant-of-truth-about-theologian-st-thomas-aquinas/) - Our guest today is Margaret O'Reilly, author of Humble Servant of Truth: A Novel Based on the Life of Thomas Aquinas, an Italian friar who was canonized as a saint in 1323 and is known as one of the great philosophers of the Western world for his work blending natural reason and speculative theology. Listen - [Eric D. Martin on Saving the Republic about Roman statesman Marcus Cicero](https://mentorisproject.org/eric-d-martin-on-saving-the-republic-about-roman-statesman-marcus-cicero/) - Our guest today is Eric Martin, author of Saving the Republic: A Novel Based on the Life of Marcus Ciero, a man considered one of the greatest orators of the Roman Republic whose letters have continued to be discussed and debated from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment to today. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS - [Collin Mitchell on The Faithful about composer Giuseppe Verdi](https://mentorisproject.org/collin-mitchell-on-the-faithful-about-composer-giuseppe-verdi/) - Our guest today is Collin Mitchell, author of The Faithful: A Novel Based on the Life of Giuseppe Verdi, the opera composer who gave the world Aida, Otello, and Falstaff. As a supporter of the unification of Italy in the 1860s, he was pleased that "Va, pensiero," the chorus from his opera Nabucco, became an - [Michael Berick on battery inventor Alessandro Volta](https://mentorisproject.org/michael-berick-on-inventor-alessandro-volta/) - Our guest today is Michael Berick, author of Relentless Visionary, about the Italian inventor of the electric battery who discovered methane and clearly excelled as a physicist and a chemist in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Jonathan Brown on A Boxing Trainer's Journey about Angelo Dundee](https://mentorisproject.org/jonathan-brown-on-a-boxing-trainers-journey-about-angelo-dundee/) - Our guest today is Jonathan Brown, author of A Boxing Trainer's Journey: A Novel Based on the Life of Angelo Dundee. This Italian-American from South Philly trained and served as cornerman to fifteen world boxing champions including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. He also trained Russell Crowe for his performance as a boxer in - [Peter David Myers on Dark Labyrinth about astronomer Galileo Galilei](https://mentorisproject.org/peter-david-myers-on-dark-labyrinth-about-astronomer-galileo-galilei/) - Our guest today is Peter Myers, author of Dark Labyrinth: A Novel Based on the Life of Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, who is perhaps best known for championing the radical idea that the sun—not the earth—was the center of the universe, an idea that put him at odds with the Catholic - [Dr. Rosanne Welch on A Man of Action Saving Liberty about Italian general and unifier Giuseppe Garibaldi (interview by Dr. Peg A. Lamphier)](https://mentorisproject.org/dr-rosanne-welch-on-a-man-of-action-saving-liberty-about-italian-general-and-unifier-giuseppe-garibaldi-interview-by-dr-peg-a-lamphier/) - Our guest today is Dr. Rosanne Welch, the author of A Man of Action Saving Liberty: A Novel Based on the Life of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Garibaldi is the man credited with uniting Italy into one country in 1860. In the book, we also meet his Brazilian wife, Anita, who fought by his side and American - [Pamela Winfrey on The Architect Who Changed Our World about Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio](https://mentorisproject.org/pamela-winfrey-on-the-architect-who-changed-our-world-about-renaissance-architect-andrea-palladio/) - Our guest today is Pamela Winfrey, the author of The Architect Who Changed Our World: A Novel Based on the Life of Andrea Palladio. One of the most influential individuals in the history of architecture, he designed churches and palaces and he wrote The Architectural Treatise: The Four Books of Architecture, which even influenced Thomas - [Patric Verrone on Ride Into the Sun about Roman general Scipio Africanus](https://mentorisproject.org/patric-verrone-on-ride-into-the-sun-about-roman-general-scipio-africanus/) - Our guest today is Patric Verrone, author of Ride Into the Sun: A Novel Based on the Life of Scipio Africanus, the Roman general often regarded as one of the greatest military strategists of all time. Having defeated Hannibal during the Second Punic War Scipio also conquered Carthaginian Iberia which is part of modern-day Spain. - [Joe Cline on Building Heaven's Ceiling about Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi](https://mentorisproject.org/joe-cline-on-building-heavens-ceiling-about-renaissance-architect-filippo-brunelleschi/) - Today our guest is Joe Cline, author of Building Heaven's Ceiling: A Novel Based on the Life of Filippo Brunelleschi, the Italian designer, engineer, and mathematician known as the founding father of Renaissance architecture and the creator of the dome of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower in Florence, Italy. Listen Now or - [Dr. Peg A. Lamphier on What a Woman Can Do about Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi](https://mentorisproject.org/dr-peg-a-lamphier-on-what-a-woman-can-do-about-renaissance-painter-artemisia-gentileschi/) - Our guest today is Peg Lamphier, the author of What a Woman Can Do: A Novel Based on the Life of Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian baroque painter who began painting professionally at the age of 15 and who overcame personal tragedies to become one of the most accomplished artists of the 17th century, male or - [Margaret O'Reilly on Sinner, Servant, Saint about St. Francis of Assisi](https://mentorisproject.org/margaret-oreilly-on-sinner-servant-saint-about-the-founder-of-the-franciscans-st-francis-of-assisi/) - Our guest today is Margaret O'Reilly, the author of Sinner, Servant, Saint: A Novel Based on the Life of St. Francis of Assisi. The patron saint of Italy, he is best known as the patron saint of animals and the natural environment which makes his life ever so relevant to us today. Listen Now or - [Jonathan Brown on Character is What Counts about football coach Vince Lombardi](https://mentorisproject.org/jonathan-brown-on-character-is-what-counts-about-football-coach-vince-lombardi/) - Our guest today is Jonathan Brown, author of Character is What Counts: A Novel Based on the Life of Vince Lombardi. Famous for his career as a coach, for winning two Super Bowls and for never having had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, Lombardi is also known for his pithy - [Kate Fuglei on director Frank Capra](https://mentorisproject.org/kate-fuglei-on-director-frank-capra/) - Our guest today is Kate Fuglei, author of The Embrace of Hope: A Novel Based on the Life of Frank Capra, the famed director of such classics as It's a Wonderful Life. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN MORE - [Kate Fuglei on director Federico Fellini](https://mentorisproject.org/kate-fuglei-on-director-federico-fellini/) - Our guest today is Kate Fuglei, author of The Dream of Life: A Novel Based on the Life of Federico Fellini, the famed Italian screenwriter and director of such cinematic classics as La Dolce Vita, La Strada and Amarcord. He began his screenwriting career when Roberto Rossellini invited him to contribute to the Italian neo-realism - [Nicole Gregory on Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Kino](https://mentorisproject.org/nicole-gregory-on-jesuit-missionary-father-eusebio-kino/) - Our guest today is Nicole Gregory, the author of Desert Missionary: A Novel Based on the Life of Father Eusebio Kino. This Jesuit missionary born in 1645 in what is now northern Italy, became a geographer, a cartographer and an astronomer. In the last quarter of his life he explored Mexico and the southwestern U.S. - [W.A.W. Parker on architect Pietro Belluschi](https://mentorisproject.org/w-a-w-parker-on-architect-pietro-belluschi/) - Our guest today is W.A.W. Parker, the author of The Judicious Use of Intangibles: A Novel Based on the Life of Pietro Belluschi, an Italian architect and leader of the modern movement in architecture. He worked largely in the US in response to the rise of Benito Mussolini. Belluschi designed over a thousand buildings in - [Robert Barbera on How to Plan for Retirement at Any Age](https://mentorisproject.org/robert-barbera-on-how-to-plan-for-retirement-at-any-age/) - Our guest today is Robert Barbera, author of Retire and Refire: Financial Strategies for People of All Ages to Navigate Their Golden Years with Ease, which does just what the title says it does by following five couples on a riverboat cruise full of practical examples of financial planning. Listen Now or Subscribe via Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | RSS LEARN ## Pages - [Be inspired by how the ordinary became extraordinary](https://mentorisproject.org/) - OUR LATEST RELEASE Hold the Line: The Life, Loves & Inventions of Antonio Meucci by Francesca Valente The Forgotten Father of the Telephone More than an inventor, Antonio Meucci (1808–1889) was a man whose genius was shaped by love, resilience, and history itself. Born in Florence, he built his career as a theatrical engineer and - [An Italian Kitchen: A Celebration of Seasonal and Traditional Italian Cuisine ](https://mentorisproject.org/an-italian-kitchen-a-celebration-of-seasonal-and-traditional-italian-cuisine/) - A seasonal journey through Italy with recipes written, styled, and photographed entirely by the author From the bustling markets of Rome to the humble kitchens of Sicilian nonnas, Italian cooking is a celebration of simplicity, seasonality, and quality ingredients. In this beautifully crafted collection, you’ll find a mix of iconic classics and regional hidden gems, - [Nonfiction](https://mentorisproject.org/nonfiction/) - [Books](https://mentorisproject.org/books/) - [Antonio Meucci](https://mentorisproject.org/antonio-meucci/) - The forgotten father of the telephone. More than an inventor, Antonio Meucci (1808–1889) was a man whose genius was shaped by love, resilience, and history itself. Born in Florence, he built his career as a theatrical engineer and later moved to Havana, Cuba, where he refined his mechanical skills and conducted early experiments in transmitting - [Biographical Novels](https://mentorisproject.org/biographical-novels/) - [Our Authors](https://mentorisproject.org/our-authors/) - The authors of The Mentoris Project novels and biographies are united by a passion for mentorship. Their backgrounds range from college professor to screenwriter to playwright, but all hope that the stories they tell of extraordinary men and women will inspire the reader to make our shared world a better place. Robert Barbera is a - [Roadmap to Financial Independence](https://mentorisproject.org/roadmap-to-financial-independence/) - Take charge of your financial future and build lasting wealth. Unlock the secrets to financial security with Roadmap to Financial Independence. This comprehensive book breaks down complex financial concepts into actionable steps, empowering you to create a plan, grow your investments, and achieve long-term prosperity. From mastering the stock market to diversifying your portfolio and - [How to Jump-Start Your Way to Real Estate Wealth](https://mentorisproject.org/how-to-jump-start-your-way-to-real-estate-wealth/) - Before you invest in real estate, stop right now, and read this book. In a career that spans decades, Robert Barbera has seen it all. While working fulltime for others, Barbera leveraged his first 8-unit apartment building into an enterprise that grew to include 500 units. Not only did he quit his nine-to-five job and - [Retire and Refire](https://mentorisproject.org/retire-and-refire/) - Whether you think it’s too late to plan for your golden years or too soon, this book is for you. Join five couples—all at different stages in their lives—on an investment seminar set on a Mississippi riverboat cruise. Financial gurus present in-depth “Reality Checks” of their assets, debts, and savings, providing straightforward examples easily applicable - [Building Wealth 101](https://mentorisproject.org/building-wealth-101-2/) - Money may not grow on trees and maybe there's not a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. But in Building Wealth 101, entrepreneur and self-made real estate magnate Robert Barbera will show you how to take control of your finances and make your hard-earned money work for you and your future. By adhering - [Building Wealth](https://mentorisproject.org/building-wealth-2/) - Wealth isn’t about money. All my adult life, people have asked me, “Robert, how did you make money? How did you become wealthy?” And while I want to share that with them—and with you—I also want you to understand that those are two different questions. Yes, of course, money can help you create wealth. But - [The Seven Senses of Italy](https://mentorisproject.org/the-seven-senses-of-italy/) - A honeymoon though Italy filled with love and adventure where all the senses are awakened. Part love story, part travelogue, The Seven Senses of Italy follows American newlyweds Bobby and Lisa as they breathe in the sights, sounds, aromas, tastes, and textures of Italy. Unknowingly guided by Lisa’s late grandmother—her nonna—who exemplifies past generations’ intangible but indisputable - [Harry Warren](https://mentorisproject.org/harry-warren-2/) - The golden age of the Hollywood musical celebrated through the life of unsung hit-maker Harry Warren. Eliciting a swell of nostalgia, Harry Warren’s jaunty melodies lift our spirits as much today as they did for Depression-era moviegoers. Navigating a business already known for its glamour, excess, and ruthless business practices, Warren quietly but resplendently helped - [Alessandro Volta](https://mentorisproject.org/alessandro-volta/) - If asked to list important inventors, few remember to include Alessandro Volta. Yet, Volta is a household name more spoken than that of Alexander Graham Bell, the Wright Brothers, or even Thomas Edison. That’s because the terms “volt” and “voltage” can be attributed to Volta, the inventor of the “Voltaic pile,” which is recognized as - [Giuseppe Verdi](https://mentorisproject.org/giuseppe-verdi-2/) - The rule of power in Europe is changing... Born in Italy at the tumultuous end of France’s influence in Europe, Giuseppe Verdi went on to become the world’s most recognizable name in opera. Set against the rise of the Italian states in the middle of the nineteenth century, The Faithful depicts an artist bedeviled by - [Judge John J. Sirica](https://mentorisproject.org/judge-john-j-sirica-2/) - The country faced a Constitutional crisis during the Watergate conspiracy. He stood firm to set the record straight. As the chief judge of the federal court in Washington D.C. in 1972, John J. Sirica took on the trial of burglars arrested while planting electronic bugs in the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate complex. Who had - [Scipio Africanus](https://mentorisproject.org/scipio-africanus-2/) - The heroic story of a teenager who took on one of the world’s greatest generals. For his entire life, the Roman Empire had been at war. And now the shrewd African general Hannibal had implausibly navigated his herd of elephants over the Alps, leaving thousands dead in his wake. For historians, it would become one - [Saint Francis of Assisi](https://mentorisproject.org/saint-francis-of-assisi-2/) - His neighbors thought he was spoiled and lazy. His teachers found him incorrigible. His own father believed he was crazy. His mother never doubted that he was a true son of God. Arrogant and grandiose, young Francis di Bernardone was an embarrassment to his family and a source of amusement to his community. He led - [Saint Augustine of Hippo](https://mentorisproject.org/st-augustine-of-hippo/) - "You say, the times are troublesome, the times are burdensome, the times are miserable. Live rightly and you will change the times. The times have never hurt anyone. Those who are hurt are human beings; those by whom they are hurt are also human beings. So, change human beings and the times will be changed." - [Andrea Palladio](https://mentorisproject.org/andrea-palladio-2/) - From ancient ruins he carved a staircase to his dreams and a style that continues to instill beauty and harmony across the world. In a time when birth and class determined one’s destiny, Andrea Palladio’s father recognized there was nothing common about his son and vowed to nurture his gifts. Impressed by the boy’s sketches, - [Luca Pacioli](https://mentorisproject.org/luca-pacioli-2/) - Luca Pacioli stood beside the great Leonardo da Vinci and gazed at The Last Supper. He saw immediately that something was terribly wrong. An orphan from a small town in Italy, Pacioli came of age during the Renaissance seemingly destined for a life of struggle and obscurity. But Pacioli had the good fortune of meeting - [Filippo Mazzei](https://mentorisproject.org/filippo-mazzei-2/) - His loyalty lasted a lifetime… Surgeon, merchant, vintner, and writer Filippo Mazzei influenced American business, politics, and philosophy. Befriending Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Mazzei was a strong liaison for others in Europe. Mazzei was Jefferson’s inspiration for the most famous line in the Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal.” Clearly, Mazzei had a gift of - [Guglielmo Marconi](https://mentorisproject.org/guglielmo-marconi-2/) - Born with an inquisitive imagination… Brilliant inventor, electrical engineer, and wise entrepreneur, Guglielmo Marconi was best known for inventing long-distance radio transmissions and the telegraph system. But his success wasn’t solely a product of his curious mind. Marconi attributed his prosperity to the people in his life who encouraged him to achieve his goals. Fostering his - [Henry Mancini](https://mentorisproject.org/henry-mancini-2/) - Celebrating a giant of American popular music.With a legacy that resonates today in the work of contemporary film composers, the magnanimous Henry Mancini left an indelible mark on the culture. Over the course of a life cut short, Mancini helped liberate a concentration camp at the end of WWII, created some of the most iconic - [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://mentorisproject.org/niccolo-machiavelli-2/) - Imprisoned, tortured, and forced into exile, he fought to clear his name. Instead, it would be misunderstood forever. Born into a modest family in fifteenth-century Florence, Niccolò Machiavelli navigated his way through the violence and political uncertainty of Renaissance Italy. Recognized for his keen mind and understanding of human nature and government, Machiavelli courted kings - [Vince Lombardi](https://mentorisproject.org/vince-lombardi/) - Faith. Fairness. Fortitude. And Football. Every time he confessed his sins, young seminarian Vince Lombardi sought forgiveness for the one he just couldn’t stop committing—playing football. Football was more than a game to Lombardi. It was life. And the values it took to succeed—“perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority”—were ones he - [Rita Levi-Montalcini in Italiano](https://mentorisproject.org/rita-levi-montalcini-in-italiano/) - “L'esperienza del ruolo subalterno che spettava alla donna in una società interamente gestita da uomini, mi aveva convinto di non essere tagliata per fare la moglie”. —Rita Levi-Montalcini A vent’anni, acquisita piena fiducia in se stessa e consapevole delle sue capacità, sapeva di poter aspirare a ruoli diversi per riuscire ad influire positivamente sulla vita - [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://mentorisproject.org/rita-levi-montalcini-2/) - “My experience in childhood and adolescence of the subordinate role played by the female in a society run entirely by men had convinced me that I was not cut out to be a wife.” —Rita Levi-Montalcini Prevailing over her father’s traditional values, Rita attended medical school and continued to study the development of the nervous - [Father Eusebio Kino](https://mentorisproject.org/father-eusebio-kino-2/) - Through a great and terrible wilderness, with serpents, scorpions, and thirsty ground, he sowed peace and sustenance and left an enduring mark on the New World. A celebrated teacher of mathematics and astronomy, Eusebio Kino’s future promised to be comfortable and secure. Jesuit elders urged the young priest to continue his ministry in education. But - [Guido d'Arezzo](https://mentorisproject.org/guido-darezzo/) - It was too big a secret to keep and too great a price to pay. Though few details are known of 11th-century Benedictine monk Guido d’Arezzo, he is widely recognized for inventing the language of music. Music's Guiding Hand offers a fictional account as to how an unlikely friendship between two medieval monks might have inspired one - [A. P. Giannini in Italiano](https://mentorisproject.org/a-p-giannini-in-italiano-2/) - La storia di un sognatore. Amadeo Pietro Giannini, con la sua capacità di immaginare un’utopia socio-economica, non è stato un tipico magnate della finanza. Grazie a una coscienza illuminata, attenta alle questioni sociali, ha saputo trasformare in realtà il sogno americano non solo per se stesso, ma per l’intera società. Nonostante drammatici ostacoli di ordine - [A. P. Giannini](https://mentorisproject.org/a-p-giannini-2/) - The story of a dreamer. Envisioning a socio-economic utopia, A. P. Giannini was not a typical banking tycoon. With a socially enlightened heart, he made the American dream a reality, not just for himself, but for society as a whole. In spite of devastating personal obstacles, such as the death of his father, Giannini became the - [Artemisia Gentileschi](https://mentorisproject.org/artemisia-gentileschi-2/) - Weary of hearing what a woman couldn’t do, she had no choice but to show them what she could. Four centuries later, the world finally noticed. Though she was “just a girl,” Artemisia Gentileschi’s father recognized and nurtured his daughter’s raw talent and escorted her into the male-dominated elite circle of seventeenth-century fine artists. Later - [Giuseppe Garibaldi](https://mentorisproject.org/giuseppe-garibaldi-2/) - For the love of country. For the love of freedom. For the love of a woman. He fought. Giuseppe Garibaldi yearned for a world of equality, liberty, and freedom for all nations, races, and genders. America had long claimed her independence from England, yet his beloved Italian peninsula was in a never-ending state of instability - [Ernest Gallo](https://mentorisproject.org/ernest-gallo-2/) - A toast to the man who changed how America drinks. Enduring an unspeakable nightmare and a family secret that he guarded at all costs, Ernest Gallo overcame unimaginable odds to achieve the American dream. Ernest Gallo (the “E” of E & J Gallo) may have been haunted by tragedy, but that didn’t deter him from - [Galileo Galilei](https://mentorisproject.org/galileo-galilei/) - From hero to heretic, would he live to see honor again? Enchanted by the labyrinth of stars above, Italian professor Galileo Galilei was determined to unearth the mysteries held within. It was 1609 and inspired by the newly invented “perspective glass,” which magnified objects on land up to three times their size, Galileo designed prototype - [Enrico Fermi](https://mentorisproject.org/enrico-fermi-2/) - Education: the most valuable gift. A natural-born Italian, Enrico Fermi is best known for facilitating the creation of the atomic bomb. But that was just a small aspect of Fermi’s talents and accomplishments. Fermi was a teacher to the core—anyone who crossed his path learned something from him. With his passion for education and his - [Federico Fellini](https://mentorisproject.org/federico-fellini/) - Too young to hear the drum beat of a world preparing for war, little Federico daydreamed on the shores of Italy's Adriatic Sea. At night the boy soared over his provincial town, his head swimming with fantastical visions unconstrained by earthly boundaries and limitations. As he came of age, Fellini found his soul in the - [Father Matteo Ricci](https://mentorisproject.org/father-matteo-ricci/) - The Forbidden City—home to the opium-addicted Ming Dynasty emperor and protected by thousands of ruthless eunuchs—no European had ever been inside. Would a simple Jesuit priest be the first? Armed with a homemade clock, a wealth of patience, and an uncompromising drive to share his faith with a new people, Father Matteo Ricci would overcome - [Angelo Dundee](https://mentorisproject.org/angelo-dundee-2/) - To train the greatest, he had to be the greatest. On the streets of South Philly, Angelo Dundee learned what it took to survive—a sense of purpose, a clear head, and sometimes . . . a powerful right uppercut. Boxing was the family business and the ring was his home. A skilled trainer and cut - [Admiral Andrea Doria](https://mentorisproject.org/admiral-andrea-doria/) - His homeland invaded from all sides, 16th century admiral Andrea Doria defies mighty kingdoms and leads his people to defend their hard-won independence and freedom. Ever since Andrea Doria was a boy, the azure waters off Genoa’s coast had beckoned. But times were as turbulent as the sea. The divided and vulnerable city-states of the - [Louis Palma di Cesnola](https://mentorisproject.org/louis-palma-di-cesnola-2/) - He fought for himself. He fought for his country. He fought for acceptance. As the son of an Italian count, Cavalry Colonel Louis Palma di Cesnola had more military experience than most of the leading officers in the Civil War. Objecting to his general’s orders, di Cesnola led his men into battle, earning himself a Medal - [Cosimo de' Medici](https://mentorisproject.org/cosimo-de-medici-2/) - Born into privilege at the end of the 1300s in an age of turmoil, Cosimo de’ Medici, heir to the Medici banking fortune, grew up surrounded by poverty, corruption, and war. Reserved and soft-spoken yet charismatic and determined, Cosimo vowed to use his wealth for the greater good, manipulating his enemies, courting popes and artists, - [Leonardo da Vinci](https://mentorisproject.org/leonardo-da-vinci-2/) - More than a painter. Renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci was the greatest genius to ever conquer the worlds of art, science, and philosophy. Writing backwards to protect his knowledge, da Vinci epitomized creativity and eccentricity. Despite being plagued with frustrations and failures, da Vinci was spurred to create, invent, research, and write no matter the - [Christopher Columbus](https://mentorisproject.org/christopher-columbus-2/) - Discovering a new continent, he changed the map of the earth and the course of civilization. Few men in history have changed the world as Christopher Columbus did when he sailed into the perilous and vast Atlantic Ocean. While seeking the island of Cipango and the mainland of Cathay, Columbus discovered so much more, changing the - [Marcus Cicero](https://mentorisproject.org/marcus-cicero-2/) - A boy, weak of body, became a pillar of strength. As the first century approached, a sickly boy was born while the Roman Republic was nearing its ultimate demise. The boy’s life and the country both hung in the balance. But the strong and determined young man grew to be the Republic’s fiercest defender. - [Frank Capra](https://mentorisproject.org/frank-capra-2/) - “Friend, you are a divine mingle-mangle of guts and stardust. So hang in there! If doors opened for me, they can open for anyone.” —Frank Capra Crossing the Atlantic Ocean was going to be the biggest adventure of Frank Capra’s life, but the five-year-old Sicilian boy soon became feverish and weak. Separated from his family, - [Mother Cabrini](https://mentorisproject.org/mother-cabrini-2/) - She made her passion a reality. Children were her life, and God’s messenger Mother Frances X. Cabrini dedicated her entire life to caring for poor Italian immigrants who sought refuge in the slums of New York City in the early 1890s. A devout champion of education and proper health care for the poverty-stricken, Cabrini - [John Cabot](https://mentorisproject.org/john-cabot-2/) - A determined man with a dream whose mentors and friendships supported him through his difficult life’s journey. John Cabot was born Giovanni Caboto in Genoa, Italy. As a child, he dreamed of captaining a ship across a mysterious, uncharted ocean, from Europe to the riches of China. There was another boy in Genoa at the - [Filippo Brunelleschi](https://mentorisproject.org/filippo-brunelleschi-2/) - Sometimes your greatest accomplishment comes after your greatest disappointment. One of the founding fathers of the Renaissance, Filippo Brunelleschi was more than an Italian designer. Brunelleschi made his mark in architecture and construction. In his early years, sculpting was Brunelleschi’s passion. But after being passed over for a major commission, he set his sights on - [Pietro Belluschi](https://mentorisproject.org/pietro-belluschi/) - The story of how a chance encounter with an Italian countess helped one man reach for the sky and bring us closer to the divine. Luck, talent, and hard work. Pietro Belluschi was blessed with all three—whether crossing paths with Ernest Hemingway or Ayn Rand, surviving World War I battlefields, or with the Ivy League - [Laura Bassi](https://mentorisproject.org/laura-bassi-2/) - They said, “No!” She asked, “Why?” The answer was always the same: “Because you’re a woman.” She vowed to shatter each barrier they placed in her way. Inquisitive and precocious, Laura Bassi grew up on the Italian Peninsula in the 1700s, dreaming of studying science at the famed University of Bologna. It was the Age - [Angela Bambace](https://mentorisproject.org/angela-bambace/) - Women marched for equal pay, the President of the United States advocated an anti-immigration policy, and the income gap between the rich and poor continued to grow. And it was just the beginning of the 20th century. As a girl growing up in Italian Harlem, Angela Bambace needed answers. How could it be acceptable for - [Saint Thomas Aquinas](https://mentorisproject.org/saint-thomas-aquinas-2/) - Entering the world with a burning desire for knowledge, Thomas Aquinas set out on a quest for truth that forced him into captivity. But his thirst for truth never wavered. Known today among many as the most brilliant light of the Church, Aquinas was a Catholic priest and a Doctor of the Church. His synthesis - [Maria Agnesi](https://mentorisproject.org/maria-agnesi/) - Almost broken from the relentless pressure to perform, an anxious child prodigy struggles to break free and find her true calling. All Maria Agnesi wants to do is stay in her room and read books. But her father has other plans for his “little genius.” Thrust into Milan’s elite academic and social circles, the shy - [Maria Montessori](https://mentorisproject.org/maria-montessori-2/) - The Soul of a Child: A Novel Based on the Life of Maria Montessori places the brilliant educator and reformer in the context of her time. It examines the relationships, inner struggles, and inspirations of Maria Montessori, a woman with heart, empathy, and resilience. As a strong woman who lived through two world wars, the rise of Fascism in - [Audiobooks](https://mentorisproject.org/audiobooks/) - Available wherever books are sold, including: AUDIBLE GOOGLE PLAY SPOTIFY God's Messenger: The Astounding Achievements of Mother Cabrini: A Novel Based on the Life if Mother Frances X. Cabrini Written by Nicole Gregory Read by Leilani Smith Her passion became her reality. Children were her life, and God’s messenger Mother Frances X. Cabrini dedicated her - [Let's Go to Italy!](https://mentorisproject.org/lets-go-to-italy/) - Learning a new language is fun and Bridges to Italy tries to doeverything possible to make it easy for you! This book contains: Most frequently used sentences and common phrases in daily life Grammar points/explanations Cultural notes/explanations Audio files English language transliteration English/Italian dictionary Tips to learn Italian faster and better From Bridges to Italy - [Italiano](https://mentorisproject.org/italiano/) - Please check back as we translate more of our titles to Italian. - [About Us](https://mentorisproject.org/about-us/) - The Mentoris Project The Mentoris Project is a series of novels and biographies about extraordinary men and women. It is our intention to inspire the reader in a very tangible way: To finish the book saying, “I can do something great, too.” To put it another way, these books seek to be mentors for our - [Donate](https://mentorisproject.org/donate/) - In recent years, public and school libraries have undergone budget cuts which have drastically affected the services they provide and their inventory. But you can help us support underfunded libraries. Every $10 donation puts a Mentoris Project book on a library shelf. Reach out to us at customerservice@mentorisproject.org if you have a specific library you - [Our Story](https://mentorisproject.org/who-what-where-why/) - The Mentoris Project was founded by Robert J. Barbera in 2017. The son of Italian immigrants, Robert was raised in Queens, New York, at a time when members of his community were maligned and discriminated against because of their skin color and heritage. 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By using the Service, You agree to the collection ## Slideshow - [Be inspired by how the ordinary became extraordinary](https://mentorisproject.org/slider/be-inspired-by-how-the-ordinary-became-extraordinary/) ## Categories - [Exploration](https://mentorisproject.org/category/exploration/) - [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math](https://mentorisproject.org/category/science/) - [Women](https://mentorisproject.org/category/women/) - [Religion and Philosophy](https://mentorisproject.org/category/religion-and-philosophy/) - [Government and Law](https://mentorisproject.org/category/government-and-law/) - [Business](https://mentorisproject.org/category/business/) - [Arts](https://mentorisproject.org/category/arts/) - [Music](https://mentorisproject.org/category/music/) - [Social Reform](https://mentorisproject.org/category/social-reform/) - [Education](https://mentorisproject.org/category/education/) - [20th Century](https://mentorisproject.org/category/20th-century/) - [Renaissance](https://mentorisproject.org/category/renaissance/) - [The Enlightenment](https://mentorisproject.org/category/the-enlightenment/) - [Architecture](https://mentorisproject.org/category/architecture/) - [Entrepreneurship](https://mentorisproject.org/category/entrepreneurship/) - [19th Century](https://mentorisproject.org/category/19th-century/) - [Film](https://mentorisproject.org/category/film/) - [Roman Empire](https://mentorisproject.org/category/roman-empire/) - [Middle Ages](https://mentorisproject.org/category/middle-ages/) - [Military](https://mentorisproject.org/category/military/) - [Sports](https://mentorisproject.org/category/sports/) - [18th Century](https://mentorisproject.org/category/18th-century/) ## Tags - [woman](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/woman/) - [women](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/women/) - [business](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/business/) - [20th century](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/20th-century/) - [social reform](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/social-reform/) - [activist](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/activist/) - [social activist](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/social-activist/) - [reform](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/reform/) - [union](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/union/) - [union organizer](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/union-organizer/) - [immigrant](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/immigrant/) - [politics](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/politics/) - [wealth](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/wealth/) - [Italian](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/italian/) - [modern architecture](https://mentorisproject.org/tag/modern-architecture/)