The Stowaway in First Class

A True Story of an Unforgettable Quest to Come to America

A family’s legacy is forever changed in this true story of ransom notes, stowaways, and mobsters.

Paris, 1929. Gaetano “Guy” DeSantis is an Italian emigrant with a good life: a stable construction job, a comfortable place to live, and a blossoming relationship with a young waitress, Marie. But Guy dreams of making a future in America, alongside his cousin Frank who immigrated a few years earlier.

So when a mysterious stranger shows up at Guy’s door saying that Frank has paid for a boat ride across the Atlantic, how could Guy refuse? But there’s a catch—he must leave immediately, with no bags and no goodbyes.

With a heart of gold—and the suspense of a classic crime novel—this true story memorializes one man’s split-second decision to chart a new course for generations to come, proving that courage and honor do have the power to make a better life.

Buy the Book

  • “[A] lovingly told account of an Italian father’s 1929 immigration and American life.” —BookLife Reviews

  • “Tender love and deep loyalty for family and country with a risky decision to take a chance for a better life grip you in this well-told immigrant story. Both heart and mind follow Guy’s fascinating journey from rural poverty in Italy to young love in Paris and a daring stowaway adventure that opens the possibility to live the American dream.” —Christina Holloway, award-winning author of Whispers Across a Sea: A Novel of Victorian Ireland

  • “A wonderful story of challenge and triumph, beautifully told with love and reverence for the perseverance and values that a father had, which Tony obviously inherited.” —Harvey Elman, chairman, Landmark Properties Inc., Montreal, Canada

  • “DeSantis not only lifts up his father’s unique story but offers a valuable contribution to the Europe-to-America immigrant experience.” —BookLife Reviews

  • “Tony DeSantis has written an inspiring multi-generational book displaying the affection and dedication of a son for his father, Guy. His father went through great troubles to get to America and obtain his citizenship. His story is an amazing one full of difficulties, and overcome with the hopes of providing a better life for his family. Guy achieved his goal in spades with an optimistic, happy, and satisfied outlook on life. His perseverance was rewarded with the great successes of his children. My highest compliments to Tony for so successfully bringing his father’s exceptional life of fate and dedication to life so that we might all enjoy it.” —J. Kevin Dolan, retired captain, American Airlines

  • “This book is more than a just a story of two young men coming to America as stowaways on an ocean liner from France in the early twentieth century. It is about how one individual, Guy, achieves the American dream that he set out to realize. Guy relies on . . . character, hard work, good personal relations, perseverance, and strong family ties to achieve his goal. It is also a story of human trafficking. It reads like a thriller. The author’s riveting storytelling makes the book hard to put down.” —Ciro DeFalco, chairman, Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center, Inc./ Italian American Museum of Washington DC

  • “The harrowing story of Guy DeSantis as told by his son, is evidence that one decision can change your entire life. As Guy and his friend Ernesto stayed tucked away and out of sight in the bowels of the SS Paris, they had no idea how their journey would end. Their ‘adventure’ is worth the read, and the outcome will fill your heart with gratitude that out of one seemingly bad choice, good prevailed.” —Mindi Wroblewski, author of The Paris Room and Your True Origin Story

  • “A journey into a son’s love for his father—a man who displayed incredible courage traveling into the unknown to a strange and frightening new promised land. A story about the strength of the family fabric in Italian culture. Thank you for the voyage.” —Soren Peter Dam, retired president, Colgate-Palmolive, Brazil

  • “The Stowaway in First Class is as unpredictable as the title suggests. Anthony DeSantis gives us a first-class ticket into a world of intrigue and human resilience. He is able to weave suspense with heart. Don't miss his captivating debut as an author—it’s bound to be one of the year’s best.” —Robert A. Urciuoli, retired president and CEO, Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island

  • “A compelling read. The chapters about the ransom and the ‘black hand’ were so well written that I was spellbound wondering what would happen. I was amazed at the details and wondered how the author knew so much, but when I read the notes, I realized that he had researched it really well. This book is a major accomplishment!” —Al Robinson, English teacher

  • “Very fascinating and exciting. It’s even more effective with the beautiful vintage photos that illustrate it. The story is evocative of our own history as volunteer ‘immigrants’ in America in more modern times, an experience that has been equally engaging for us and our families.” —Umberto Mosco, Harold J. Gay professor of mathematical sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; fellow, American Mathematical Society

  • “The story is both inspiring and timely, given our nation’s recent immigration crisis.” —C. Anders Holmer, superior court judge (ret.), Nevada County, California

  • “I loved this book…I learned so much about my grandfather and the entire story was quite the page-turner! It was the best book I had read since Richard Russo’s ‘Empire Falls’. You truly painted such a wonderful story of your father, and my grandfather. I wish my father could have read this wonderful story. Thank you for all the work you put into this story.” —Todd Zaino

  • “… an historical, fast moving, true story of DeSantis' father's journey from Southern Italy to the United States. DeSantis’s exceptionally strong writing skills make the plot, danger, and romance important and fascinating. DeSantis deserves praise and kudos for his research and documentation.  This book examines the immigrant story, the perils of a desire to leave Southern Italy to improve oneself, and what the challenges are when one leaves what one knows best and loves in spite of everything. I recommend this book as a well-written and well-considered 20th Century immigrant story. In the final trip returning to Italy with his aging father, we find out what happened to the woman Guy left behind which brings the story full circle. There is a lot to learn here.” —Jane Abbott, (Educator)  Rating: 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

  • “It was quite a story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. . . . a fascinating and inspiring story of immigration 100 years ago . . . the twists and turns of his life and Maria’s and the effects on future generations was fascinating.” —Gary Finley, Captain, Northwest Airlines (Ret.)

  • “Just finished the book! Loved it!! …I just kept reading. Really wanted to know what happened to your dad. Loved hearing about Marie and what happened from her end. It was romantic…and then their reconnecting twice years later. The pictures added to the story as well. Your dad had quite an adventure and you did an incredible job sharing everything with us. You are a very talented writer. This book was such a great tribute to your dad!! He is smiling down for sure.” —Diane Ferkler

  • “Loved the book. Your writing style was exceptional. It felt like you were right beside me reading a story. The encounter on the ship was very riveting. I was compelled to turn the pages and learn how your Dad survived the ordeal with the gangsters. People of immigrant parents will no doubt identify with this story as to how your Dad sacrificed everything to come to this country and have a start in life for his family. The book was especially relevant to me since I always knew that my parents and grandparents struggled to survive during the depression as Italian immigrants. Your research was noteworthy and added so much to the background providing the reader with great context. I’m sure you spent many hours doing the necessary work and rest assured it will not be lost on the reader.” —Christopher Caravello, Colonel, USAF (Ret.)