Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2289538 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-25
• Released on: 2008-09-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 150 pages

Customer Reviews

But that we all loved our home as much....
Cesidio Tallini's A History of the Future: Independent Long Island is one man's love letter to the island he so clearly reveres.

Tallini provides an excellent geographical and anthropological history of his home including the names and fates of most of the native tribes of Long Island. The Native American name for Long Island is Paumanok, which translates to "The Island that Pays Tribute". According to Tallini, not much has changed; Long Island suffers from exorbitant taxation without sufficient representation and should secede from the United States. Just as our American founding fathers fought for independence from Great Britain over 200 years ago, Tallini devotes himself full time to the task of seeing to Long Island's independence. However, due to a minor obstacle called the U.S. Constitution, "the likelihood of a 51st state of [Independent Long Island] seems close to impossible." That leaves complete secession from the greater United States as the only other option, viable or not. Tallini posits many reasons why Long Island should qualify for nation-statehood, such as its large land mass and population.

Tallini goes on to cite several advantages Long Island would enjoy if it rose up against its oppressor, such as the economic and natural rights which other international islands enjoy. Additionally, an independent Long Island, as a smaller entity, could look out for its own interests better than the current New York State does, such as bringing back the maritime industries it used to enjoy and creating new jobs for its residents.

Some of Tallini's ideas certainly reside out of the mainstream but that does not quench his obvious passion. Regardless of its ideology, A History of the Future: Independent Long Island reads like The Little Engine that Could. Definitely an interesting read.