Memoir Features Contributions from Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Peter Balakian and System of a Down’s Serj Tankian
LOS ANGELES — Armenian-American actor and author Joe Manganiello explores his family’s history of survival, resilience, and cultural identity in his new memoir, Bloodlines, tracing the experiences of his Armenian ancestors and their lasting influence on his life.
Known for his work in film and television, Manganiello offers readers a personal account of his Armenian heritage, his own life-threatening health challenges, and the powerful connections between family history and individual identity.
At the heart of the memoir is the remarkable story of his Armenian great-grandmother, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, whose experiences helped shape his family’s legacy across generations.
Through Bloodlines, Manganiello examines how the hardships endured by previous generations continue to influence their descendants, connecting his family’s history of displacement and survival with his own struggles and personal growth.
The memoir has received praise from Pulitzer Prize-winning Armenian-American poet and author Peter Balakian, who describes it as “an astonishing story of courage and spiritual resilience.”
Balakian, whose literary work has extensively explored the Armenian Genocide and historical memory, highlights the memoir’s themes of inherited strength, survival, and spiritual awakening.
The audiobook edition, narrated by Manganiello, incorporates Armenian cultural and spiritual elements, including the “Armenian Guardian and Hope Prayer for Protection.” It also features “Snow on Ararat” by Grammy Award-winning Armenian-American musician Serj Tankian, lead vocalist of System of a Down.
Tankian’s contribution, referencing Mount Ararat, a powerful symbol of Armenian identity, adds a musical dimension to the memoir’s exploration of ancestry and cultural heritage.
Manganiello’s connection to Armenia extends beyond his writing. In 2024, he traveled to his ancestral homeland, where he explored its history and culture and became more closely acquainted with the work of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF).
He currently serves on COAF’s Board of Directors, supporting the organization’s efforts to expand educational opportunities and improve the lives of children and families in rural Armenian communities.
For Armenian-American readers, Bloodlines offers a reflection on the shared experiences of survival, displacement, and cultural preservation. Its broader themes of family, identity, and resilience also resonate with readers seeking to understand how the experiences of earlier generations shape their lives.
Published by Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Bloodlines is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook editions.
For additional information, visit Simon & Schuster.
