The Fighting Nun

"THE FIGHTING NUN: MY STORY" is the autobiography of Sister Margherita Marchione, mpf, Ph.D. Sister has written the story of her life with humor, serious philosophical thought, interesting anecdotes, and more. The author is a Professor Emerita of Italian language and literature at Fairleigh Dickinson University and is the author of many books. She is also a nun ~~ a member of the Italian religious congregation known as the Religious Teachers Filippini. Sister Marchione's life has been intensely lived ~~ complemented by worldwide experiences with popes and royality, presidents and Nobel Prize winners, and internationally known artists and writers. Her teaching and administrative positions include more than 50 years of experience at the high school, college and university levels. The first five chapters of "THE FIGHTING NUN: MY STORY" presents Sister Marchione's life from early childhood through her achievement of a Ph.D. This part of the book shows Sister Marchione's serious religious convictions. She committed herself to joining The Religious Teachers Filippini at the tender age of 13! Her struggles with homesickness are testament to her devotion to the religious life. And, since there does not seem to be much written about the Religious Teachers Filippini, it gives the reader a look inside this congregation and its beautiful Mother House ~~ Villa Walsh. The anecdotes of her college and graduate studies are interesting and demonstrate what is possible if one is determined enough. Chapters six and seven are an introduction to contemporary Italian literature and history. These chapters are effective introductions to the literary achievements of modern Italian literature, philosophy, and political thought. In other words, these chapters are very informative. The anecdotes regarding Giuseppe Prezzolini introduce readers to a thoughtful man who was an important figure in modern Italian literature and thought. Prezzolini's close relationship to Popes, Sister Marchione, and other Catholics is interesting in that he did not share their religious convictions in any obvious way. Yet he was very close to Sister Marchione and appreciated her work in publishing his literature and promoting Italian culture. Chapter eight shows Sister Marchione's diverse interests. She did outstanding study in exposing the work and thought of Philip Mazzei ~~ a man who influenced such figures in early national U.S. History such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Her books on Mazzei's work are impressive and these works would be useful to anyone interested in U.S.History. This is an informative chapter. Chapters nine and ten recall anecdotes of Sister Marchione's students as well as the numerous awards she has received. These chapters are not self-serving comments but rather an indication of how a devout Catholic nun can accomplish so much when motivated by religious conviction. Her audiences with Popes also indicate how esteemed this little nun was in the highest