The Cremation of Sam McGee and Other Verses by Robert Service

About the Book

Maestro Giacomo Puccini first introduced Italians to the California Gold Rush of 1849 with his opera “La Fanciulla del West.” Now Professor Giovanni Tempesta with his brilliant Italian rendition of Robert Service’s best rhymes welcomes Italians, Italian-Americans, and students of Italian to the less known and yet magical and romantic world of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon territory. You will meet such unforgettable characters as Sam McGee, Dan McGrew and the Lady that’s known as Lou. You will enjoy the Midnight Sun, the Golden Lights and the savage beauty that is “The Spell of the Yukon.” Tempesta’s vivid Italian version of Service’s poetry begs to be recited out loud, read and re-read and read yet again.

About the Author

Giovanni Tempesta has been a Professor of Italian Language and Culture at Stanford University since 1983. Over the years, he has also taught Latin, Greek and French in Northern California and Italy. He was born and raised in Italy and moved to California in 1972. After learning English, a dear friend once recommended that he read the poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” written by Robert Service. Later, at a party, Giovanni and other guests were mesmerized by an oral recitation of Service’s poem, which is one of the most memorized poems in the English language. Giovanni became enamored with Service’s descriptions of nature and all its elements, such as the Northern Lights, the wind, and the glaciers, as well as, Service’s vibrant rhymes. Giovanni wanted to share the pleasure of Robert Service’s verses and his colorful depiction of the Klondike Gold Rush with native Italians and all students of Italian. He is currently working on a collection of his own poetry.