What started out as a genealogical project turned into the novel; More Like Brothers. As the first generation of Italian’s to be born in America began to fade away, author Ray Lombard was compelled to capture as much of his family's history as possible. After all, his family came to America with big hopes and dreams and the cultural heritage, traditions, sacrifices, pain and everything in between, which was endured to become American, must be preserved.
Throughout his life, Ray Lombard was told that he was the reincarnation of his Uncle Manny, who had long ago disappeared. It was on a cold winter’s night in February, 1939, that a young, self confident twenty-six year-old Manny Lombardi left his home in Camden, New Jersey for a meeting, never to be seen again. This mystery would hang like a shroud over the Lombard family for decades.
Family members would constantly remark that Lombard’s looks, mannerisms and even his voice were like that of his Uncle Manny. It was when Lombard became an adult that he started asking questions about the mysteries surrounding Uncle Manny's life. After repeated attempts, he was given very few answers from family members and was told to stop asking so many questions.
My own investigation, which became an all encompassing ten-year quest finally revealed the details and the truth was uncovered, says Lombard. I believe the affinity between my uncle and I allowed me access what Manny was really thinking as he weaved his way through the world of Camden Organized Crime. Once assembled, the puzzle came together in a very clear and concise picture about how a close-knit Italian family survived during a rough and tumble, dangerous time, when it was necessary for the cousins to holdfast and to be… More Like Brothers.
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