Mariano, or "Yano," Rubino might have counted himself lucky to survive, let alone achieve. Born on a Central California prune ranch in the midst of the Great Depression, Yano was the child of Sicilian immigrants who spoke no English-and who thus could teach him none. But his parents could instill in him a faith in God and in his own abilities, and an appreciation for family, community, the rewards of hard work, and the good that life has to offer. Armed with these tools, Yano knew that only the sky was the limit!

Beginning in the 1930s and culminating in the present, this motivational memoir recounts his journey: from San Jose farmlands to an exciting career in skyscraper leasing and management, from San Francisco to Sicily and points in between. With infectious enthusiasm, period photographs, and a dash of humor, the author paints a vivid picture of growing up Sicilian-American in California. As his story unfolds, each chapter spotlights a lesson learned and ends with a page encouraging personal meditation on that topic. For instance, we see-and are encouraged to consider-how setbacks can turn out to be gifts, how having faith that you can achieve your goal can make that goal a reality, and how attitude can make all the difference.