This is a book for
the moment—a heart wrenching tale about overcoming your demons and
finding your people. Vittoria doesn't flinch in the face of painful
subject matter. At its heart, Christina and the Whitefish is an
antiwar, anti-empire narrative, one that underscores love and empathy.
“Christina and the Whitefish” is the debut novel from
award-winning filmmaker and author, Stephen Vittoria.
In August, 2025, World BEYOND War will be holding a weekly discussion each of four weeks of the book Christina and the Whitefish with the author Stephen Vittoria.
When you register for the club, we will mail you a signed paperback copy of the book.
We'll let you know which parts of the book will be discussed each week along with the Zoom details to access the discussions.
When:
For one hour on August 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2025, beginning at UTC
18:00, which is 8:00 a.m. in Honolulu, 11:00 a.m. in Los Angeles, 12:00
p.m. in Mexico City, 2:00 p.m. in New York, 7 p.m. in Yaoundé, 8 p.m. in
Berlin, and 9:30 p.m. in Tehran.
Where: Zoom (details to be shared upon registration).
This is a small group series with limited space of up to
approximately 18 people. Sign up to reserve your spot. We look forward
to reading and discussing this important book with you!
About the Book
In this remarkable novel, it is 1994.
Christina, a young U.S. Gulf War veteran wrecked by war and tragedy,
seeks redemption in Asbury Park, New Jersey, the seaside mecca of her
childhood. It’s a place well past its prime . . . and now reigned over
by the self-proclaimed King of Asbury Park: The Whitefish—a disabled
Vietnam-era vet, tavern owner, and all-around oddball philosopher. It’s
here, on the Jersey shore, that a chance meeting leads to a profound and
life-altering connection.
Praise for the Book
“Christina and the Whitefish is a joy to read. If Bruce Springsteen wrote fiction, it would read a great deal like this.” —Dave Zirin, The Nation, author of The Kaepernick Effect
“This novel ignites the mind's movie-making machine. Vittoria's
attention to detail and character is delicate and intimate. It's a
rollicking journey that is at once dark and beautiful, harsh and loving.
When I finished and closed the book, it was like walking out of a dark
theatre into the light of day, feeling like I was wearing the story, a
suit of armor.” —Kathy Kremins, poet, author of The Curve of Things
“The characters of this stunning novel will stay with you... a
high-spirited and humorous voyage... the story will give you chills.” —David Swanson, author, journalist, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee
“I love this book. It's hard to let go of the characters... Masterfully
delivered with twists and U-turns... Buckle up and hold on tight to
arrive at the place called redemption... an intriguingly subversive
work.” —Paul Rabinowitz, author, founder of ARTS By The People
“Brutally honest and unexpectedly tender, with characters you root
for... This isn't one of those books you bail on - you need to know how
it ends. (Never thought I'd say this, but now I need to visit the Jersey
shore!)” —Katy Farzanrad, Executive Producer of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
“A gifted filmmaker brings his storytelling prowess to the pages of this book... what a dramatic and beautiful journey.” —Sonali Kolhatkar, award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author of Rising Up
“The novel is a tour de force… with finely wrought characterizations.
The details of PTSD really resonate. Great that Vittoria emphasized the
experiences more than the clinical knowledge. (There’s) a deserved film
somewhere down the line." —Ken Klonsky, author, editor, Director of Innocence International
About the Author
Stephen Vittoria is an award-winning filmmaker and author.
His last two feature documentaries—Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary and One Bright Shining Moment: The Forgotten Summer of George McGovern—have
been embraced by moviegoers and audiences worldwide. Vittoria was also a
producer on two feature documentaries by Academy Award winner Alex
Gibney: Gonzo: The Life & Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson and Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place.
Along with journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal, Vittoria co-authored the three-book nonfiction series Murder Incorporated: Empire, Genocide, and Manifest Destiny—with forewords by Angela Davis, S. Brian Willson, David Swanson, and Chris Hedges.
There are other fantastic book clubs in the months ahead, and you don't have to wait until you have little time left to read the books. You can register now, receive the books, and get started. All the upcoming book clubs are here:
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