Valerio Isca

“So, my dear Mike, wish me well and I pray to live a little longer, till I can dispose of all the things that I do not want to go lost when my time comes to kick the bucket.” (from Valerio Isca: An Extraordinary Ordinary Man).

Valerio Isca touched many lives in so many ways.  The old Italian immigrant was dedicated to his wife Ida Pilat Isca, to his friends and to his anarchist philosophy, to all of whom he gave richly during his long life. Valerio began life in Italy, served in the Italian army, found his way to the United States where he eventually met Ida.  The two of them spent much of their life involved in anarchist causes, befriending some of the luminaries in 20th century American anarchist history.  He was among the founders of the Libertarian Book Club and over the years supported the publication of a variety of anarchist books.  In the end he struggled to dispose of his beloved books and manuscripts and paintings to libraries and friends with whom he felt they would be treasured.  He never gave up being a teacher or an inspiration.  In this book, which was initially printed as issue #23 of the dandelion,  six long-time friends remember the mark Valerio left on their lives.  This is a limited edition, letterpress-printed hard cover book.