"... A tale of true grit and perseverance that is unlike any book you'll ever read."

A powerful story of resilience, hope, and the bonds that unite us.

Could you imagine being sent alone on an ocean liner at just ten years old for an eight-day journey at sea, with only the hope of seeing your family again one day? 

That's precisely what young Antonio Russo faces when he is placed on a ship in the Bay of Naples and sent from a small town in Italy into the abyss toward America, with nothing but the shirt on his back and a suitcase filled with salami and provolone cheese. 

Tony struggles to fit in and often descends into a path of destruction. He adopts a tough-guy persona, acts impulsively, and frequently gets into fights and brawls, which ultimately lands him not only in the hospital but also in trouble with the law. 

As fate would have it, he discovers the sport of wrestling, revealing a natural talent and a strong drive to excel, leading him to become one of America's winningest high school wrestling coaches. 

Just as Rocky is not merely a story about boxing, Don’t Cry in America is not simply a story about wrestling. While wrestling and Italian culture are interwoven throughout, this is an uplifting tale of resilience, hope, and the extraordinary yet complex bonds of family. 

Sent alone from Italy to America at age ten, a young boy endures a traumatic journey and a difficult start in a new country. Shuttled between relatives, he finally finds stability in Oregon, where the raw, combative sport of wrestling gives him an anchor for his identity.

Wrestling is a sport that demands both strength and the ability to endure. DON’T CRY IN AMERICA: A Memoir of Unexpected Journeys, Family Love, and The Sport of Wrestling tells the story of Anthony Russo, who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy at age ten and eventually found purpose and success through wrestling to become a Hall of Fame coach. Co-authored with his daughter, Tonya Russo Hamilton, the memoir chronicles a life defined by the struggle, resilience, near misses, and direct hits that forge a life.

DON’T CRY IN AMERICA opens in 1940 with Russo’s birth in wartime Italy. Ten years later, his life takes a pivotal turn when his mother puts him on the SS Independence alone, pockets stuffed with salami and provolone. He spends eight harrowing days below deck, “disoriented, dehydrated, and lying in a pool of my own vomit.” In America, Antonio finds a less-than-warm welcome as he’s shuffled between relatives and nearly ends up in an orphanage before his uncle and aunt offer him a home in Portland, Oregon.

It’s here that Russo discovers wrestling, which provides him with structure and discipline. When Tony loses a match, his teammate offers him advice about mental toughness and how to handle defeat— ”Never put your head down”—which becomes his philosophy for survival. This is not merely a cheerful story about the American Dream, though. When Russo’s sister Patty comes to America and becomes unable to adjust, for example, we see the authors aren’t shooting for a sunny depiction of life. Rather, it’s a heartbreaking reminder of the darker currents of the immigrant experience.

The prose is more functional than literary (“My insides were burning. I wanted to lash out”), but the book’s direct, conversational storytelling style feels authentic, like sitting at a table with Tony himself and listening to his stories over a glass of red wine. Wrestling fans will appreciate the technical precision with which matches are described—Russo clearly understands his sport—while the family dynamics avoid both stereotypical Italian-American tropes and false sentimentality.

“In wrestling, as in life, recovery is key,” Russo observes, offering what might serve as the memoir’s thesis. Survival isn’t about winning but resilience—and what resilience costs. More than just a wrestling coach’s inspirational biography, DON’T CRY IN AMERICA is an honest look at what it takes to prosper in a new country. Russo and his daughter have written a book that respects both the struggle and the success without prettying up either one.

A raw and heartfelt memoir, Tonya Russo Hamilton and Anthony Russo’s DON’T CRY IN AMERICA: A Memoir of Unexpected Journeys, Family Love, and the Sport of Wrestling offers genuine insights without reducing the immigrant experience to a feel-good success story.

–Edward Sung for IndieReader 

"Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton’s memoir reads like a well-crafted novel that explores a young boy’s adventure and his struggles with immigration to finding a home in America. I loved how the authors articulate the theme of belonging, highlighting that Russo’s considerable pride was in belonging to a town, a neighborhood, and a group of friends who help each other. The theme of identity and the immigrant’s relentless struggle to achieve is skillfully explored in this captivating memoir. Russo’s love for wrestling becomes a symbol for fighting through hardship, both on the mat and in life. His stories of hardship—such as surviving bombings, near-death experiences, and family separations—offer powerful lessons about life and hope." –Ruffina Oserio, Readers' Favorite

"The memoir vividly recounts his struggles as an immigrant, from navigating cultural barriers to enduring loneliness and adversity. Yet, his discovery of wrestling becomes a metaphor for his life. It’s a sport that allows him to channel his aggression, find purpose, and ultimately thrive. The book is filled with cultural details, particularly the role of food in Italian-American life, which is a comforting thread throughout Antonio’s story. The inclusion of family recipes adds a personal touch, inviting readers to experience the flavors of his heritage. Written in a conversational, first-person narrative, the memoir captures Antonio’s charismatic storytelling style, making the reader feel as though they are sitting across from him, listening to his tales. The Italian dialogue, interspersed with English, adds depth to the narrative. Don’t Cry in America is a story of perseverance, family, and the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience, or simply a heartfelt story of triumph against the odds. Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton offer a tale of true grit and perseverance that is unlike any book you'll ever read." –Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite

"Author team Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton have a wonderful synergy in how to balance a smooth, confident storytelling style with plenty of real details, and that makes for a rich, cinematic immigrant story full of hope, grit, and personal growth. There’s plenty to relate to in Tony’s story, whatever your background may be, but sports fans in particular will be enraptured by how wrestling becomes a symbolic and literal anchor for transformation.     

Anyone who’s ever fallen into a sporting or competitive hobby community is sure to understand his connection and drive, and the writing style flows naturally with honest and emotional prose that makes it feel like he’s talking to you. This is also layered with unforgettable cultural and familial detail so that you feel like you’re part of the tribe as events unfold, evoking all the classic underdog narratives while remaining deeply personal and unique." –K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

"Don't Cry in America is more than a memoir about wrestling. The book offers an engaging commentary on Italian culture, highlighting the significance of family rituals and the importance of bonding. I found the memoir to be very immersive, and the excellent writing made it even more enjoyable. Antonio Russo and Tonya Russo Hamilton successfully inject inspiring moments into the narrative. One example is about Tony’s determination to bring his family to Oregon, no matter the cost. This memoir expertly handles the theme of immigration and its disruption of traditional values, forcing individuals to forge new roots. The book conveys a driving message of hope beautifully captured in the wisdom of Tony’s mother: “If you work hard, good things will happen.” You’ll be entertained, uplifted, and inspired by this skillfully written memoir." –Christian Sia, Readers' Favorite