Presentation of the autobiographical novel “With What Courage” by Giuseppe Longobardi, which narrates thirty years of struggle against organized crime, with a focus on civil commitment and anti-mafia culture.
The story of a policeman who dedicated thirty years of his life to the fight against organized crime is at the center of “With What Courage,” the autobiographical novel by Giuseppe Longobardi. Published by 1886 Publishing, the book will be presented on Wednesday, February 12, at 6:45 PM in the council hall of the Municipality of Pompei, an event that promises to attract the attention of lovers of literature and local news.
The book presentation
The presentation evening will feature the mayor of Pompei, Carmine Lo Sapio, and Catello Maresca, magistrate and author of the preface, both ready to illustrate the importance of the message contained in the pages of the volume. The journalist Paola de Simone, president of the Nessuno e Centomila Association, will talk with the author, while the writer Francesco Paolo Oreste will moderate the meeting. The choice of location, a symbolic council hall, further enriches the meaning of a text that addresses delicate and current issues regarding the courage of those on the front line in the fight against the mafia.
The themes covered in the book
“With What Courage” is not just a memoir, but captures the essence of a life dedicated to civil commitment. Longobardi recounts his arrival in Palermo, a city that has always been marked by tragedies and difficulties related to organized crime. The police and their mission become the focus of the narrative, which is characterized by a series of touching experiences and profound reflections. Faced with extreme situations, Longobardi found himself confronted with interrupted lives, people’s stories, shady business, and the daily life of a society marked by fear and mistrust.
Over time, the protagonist has accumulated encounters and anecdotes, but what really emerges is the inner struggle between duty and humanity. The phrase “with what courage” becomes a mantra, a question that emerges at various times, along with reflections on how to deal with masculinity and the choice to dedicate oneself to justice. The reader is led on a journey that is not limited to describing police work, but also explores human emotions and frailties, creating an empathetic bond with the reader.
The role of anti-mafia culture
During the presentation, Catello Maresca highlights the importance of remembering and valuing the courage of figures like Longobardi. According to Maresca, the fight against the mafia is not only the task of law enforcement, but needs the support of the whole society. The quote by Giovanni Falcone on the importance of knowing man to understand the mafia takes on a crucial meaning in the context of the book. Maresca invites us to reflect on the urgent need for an anti-mafia culture, which passes through historical memory to face the challenges of the present. Culture thus becomes the only effective antidote to defeat a scourge that, unfortunately, continues to be present.
The presentation of “With What Courage” is therefore configured as an invitation to a collective reflection, necessary at a time when it is essential to rediscover the courage to fight for the values in which one believes.
Donatella Ercolano
