Sicily

A Short History, from the Ancient Greeks to Cosa Nostra

By: John Julius Norwich, Paul Duncan

Narrated by: Michael Healy

'Sicily is the key to everything' Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A colourful and lavishly illustrated history (fifty years in the making) of the Mediterranean's largest and most turbulent island from much-loved historian John Julius Norwich

'I discovered Sicily almost by mistake . . .We drove as far as Naples, then put the car on the night ferry to Palermo. There was a degree of excitement in the early hours when we passed Stromboli, emitting a rich glow every half-minute or so like an ogre puffing on an immense cigar; and a few hours later, in the early morning sunshine, we sailed into the Conca d'Oro, the Golden Shell, in which the city lies. Apart from the beauty of the setting, I remember being instantly struck by a change in atmosphere. The Strait of Messina is only a couple of miles across and the island is politically part of Italy; yet somehow one feels that one has entered a different world . . . This book is, among other things, an attempt to analyse why this should be.'

The stepping stone between Europe and Africa, the gateway between the East and the West, at once a stronghold, clearing-house and observation post, Sicily has been invaded and fought over by Phoenicians and Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, Goths and Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, Germans, Spaniards and the French for thousands of years. It has belonged to them all - and yet has properly been part of none.

John Julius Norwich was inspired to become a writer by his first visit in 1961 and this book is the result of a fascination that has lasted over half a century. In tracing its dark story, he attempts to explain the enigma that lies at the heart of the Mediterranean's largest island.

This vivid short history covers everything from erupting volcanoes to the assassination of Byzantine emperors, from Nelson's affair with Emma Hamilton to Garibaldi and the rise of the Mafia. Taking in the key buildings and towns, and packed with fascinating stories and unforgettable characters, Sicily is the book he was born to write.

(P)2015 Tantor©2015 John Julius Norwich

Critic reviews

The most amiable and freewheeling of guides, Norwich will always find room for the amusing anecdote . . . Written Sicilian history dates back 2,500 years, so compressing it into one book means a swift and exhilarating gallop . . . Norwich renders it entertaining on every page

Norwich tells the long, sad but fascinating story with sympathy and brio

Norwich is an authoritative historian, but his writing is charmingly personal . . . Sicily's political history is full of some much turbulence it's sometimes hard to keep track of the battles, murders and successions, but Norwich sketches personalities vividly . . . Norwich calls this book his 'valediction' to Sicily: he does the island and the reader a generous service in providing such an amiable introduction

John Julius Norwich, as he explains, began his writing career with a focus on Sicily during its Norman era, and now he has returned to produce this riotous, thoughtful journey through the island's rich and varied history . . . Norwich has produced an entertaining narrative

Norwich is a perfectly informed guide

Norwich combines authority with charmingly personal flair

Helped me answer a lot of questions about Sicily

An interesting overview of the Sicilian history. Listened to the audio version, while I was travelling for three weeks in Sicily. The book helped me put a lot of cultural things into the context and explained why Sicily evolved the way it did. Now, looking at this amazing mix of ancient greek, byzantine, norman and baroque monuments I feel less confused. Highly recommended if you can spend some extra time on exploring Sicily or to add to your general knowledge about the Mediterranean.