Anne Leone, assistant professor of Italian in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has received the "Award for First Book" from the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI). She was honored for her latest work, Dante’s Blood (Legenda, 2023), which explores the poet’s use of blood across his works.

An excerpt from the committee’s endorsement of Leone’s book reads: “Leone’s investigation of blood’s 'diverse implications and polysemous agency' in Dante’s works is rigorously researched and well-documented. …Each of the well-developed chapters highlights the role blood plays in Dante’s works as well as in the greater medieval context, ranging from Aristotle’s ideas about conception to its central role in artistic creation and divine inspiration.”

The AATI, established in 1923, counts a global membership of over 900 instructors and students. Its mission is to promote, advance and preserve the study of Italian language, literature and culture. Each year, the AATI presents three book awards: the Award for Performance and Visual Culture, the Award for Literary, Critical Theory and Cultural Studies, and the Award for First Book. Winners receive both a cash prize and a certificate.