20 Best Books About Sicily (2023 Update)

In this sparkling book, theresa maggio takes us on a journey in search of sicily's most remote and least explored mountain towns. using her grandparents' ancestral village of santa margherita belice as her base camp, she pores over old maps to plot her adventure, selecting as her targets the smallest dots with the most appealing names. her travels take her to the small towns surrounding mt. etna, the volcanic islands of the aeolian sea, and the charming villages nestled in the madonie mountains.whether she's writing about the unique pleasures of sicilian street food, the damage wrought by molten lava, the ancient traditions of sicilian bagpipers, or the religious processions that consume entire villages for days on end, maggio succeeds in transporting readers to a wholly unfamiliar world, where almonds grow like weeds and the water tastes of stone. in the stark but evocative prose that is her hallmark, maggio enters the hearts and heads of sicilians, unlocking the secrets of a tantalizingly complex culture.although she makes frequent forays to villages near and far, she always returns to santa margherita, where she researches her family tree in the municipio, goes on adventures with her cousin nella, and traces the town's past in history and literature. a beautifully wrought meditation on time and place, the stone boudoir will be treasured by all who love fine travel writing.

Lonely planet's sicily is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. explore the valley of the temples, sample sicilian cuisine, and discover the aeolian islands; all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of sicily and begin your journey now!

After mario puzo wrote his internationally acclaimed the godfather, he has often been imitated but never equaled. puzo's classic novel, the sicilian, stands as a cornerstone of his work—a lushly romantic, unforgettable tale of bloodshed, justice, and treachery. . . . the year is 1950. michael corleone is nearing the end of his exile in sicily. the godfather has commanded michael to bring a young sicilian bandit named salvatore guiliano back with him to america. but guiliano is a man entwined in a bloody web of violence and vendettas. in sicily, guiliano is a modern day robin hood who has defied corruption—and defied the cosa nostra. now, in the land of mist-shrouded mountains and ancient ruins, michael corleone's fate is entwined with the dangerous legend of salvatore guiliano: warrior, lover, and the ultimate siciliano.praise for the sicilian“puzo is a master storyteller.”—usa today “the balzac of the mafia.”—time“an accomplished and imaginative writer.”—los angeles times

Whether you want to hike mt. etna, explore palermo, or eat like a duke in siracusa, the local fodor's travel experts in sicily are here to help! fodor's sicily guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. this new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. fodor's venice travel guide includes: an illustrated ultimate experiences guide to the top things to see and do multiple itineraries to effectively organize your days and maximize your time more than 10 detailed maps to help you navigate confidently color photos throughout to spark your wanderlust! honest recommendations on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side-trips, and more photo-filled "best of" features on "best historical sites", "best beaches", and more trip-planning tools and practical tips including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money historical and cultural insights providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, geography and more special features on "what to eat and drink" and "what to buy" local writers to help you find the under-the-radar gems italian language primers with useful words and essential phrases up-to-date coverage on: palermo, trapani, mt. etna, marsala, segesta, cefalù, catania, the aeolian islands, messina, acireale, siracusa, ragusa, and more planning on visiting more places in italy? *important note for digital editions: the digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. about fodor's authors: each fodor's travel guide is researched and written by local experts. fodor's has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years.

The largest island in the mediterranean, sicily has been continuously inhabited for millennia. its strategic position and fertile soil, enriched by the fires of mount etna, made it alluring to successive waves of settlers and conquerors. phoenicians, greeks, romans, byzantines, arabs, and normans vied to stake their claim on the island. periods of decline, exploitation, and neglect alternated with those of enlightenment and prosperity, during which the arts flourished.this book, accompanying a major 2016 exhibition at the british museum, offers a broad survey of the island's geography and its rich mythological and historical past, while focusing on sicily's two most artistically innovative periods. greeks began settling on the island in the late eighth century bce, encountering phoenicians and other peoples. the artistic achievements of this classical golden age include some of the most awe-inspiring temples seen anywhere in the greek mediterranean. a second extraordinary period of enlightenment took place under norman rule in the twelfth century ad, when sicily became a power broker in the mediterranean world and one of the wealthiest and most culturally prosperous places in europe.richly illustrated with full-color images of more than two hundred remarkable objects drawn from the collection in the british museum and from museums across sicily and around the world, this book highlights the skills of artists and artisans, architects and builders–and the vision of their patrons across the centuries–who together produced some of the most unique and significant works of art in the history of the mediterranean.

Diodoros of sicily (c.90-c.30 bc) spent thirty years producing an encyclopedic compendium of world history from its mythical beginnings to his own day. his is the only surviving, connected account of greek affairs from 480/79 to 302/1. the books translated in this volume cover the years from the end of the peloponnesian war to the aftermath of the battle of mantineia in 362/1. these were crucial years in the struggle for supremacy in greece amongst the greek states, sparta, athens and thebes, before they were overtaken by the unexpected rise of macedon. diodoros also provides the only extant account of the career of dionysios i of syracuse and the cypriot war between persia and evagoras of salamis. the translation is supported by extensive notes and the introduction examines diodoros' moral and educational purpose in writing, the plan of his work, his sources, and his qualities as a historian.

Hailed in italy as the best book ever written about the mafia in any language, cosa nostra is a fascinating, violent, and darkly comic account that reads like fiction and takes us deep into the inner sanctum of this secret society where few have dared to tread.in this gripping history of the sicilian mafia, john dickie uses startling new research to reveal the inner workings of this secret society with a murderous record. he explains how the mafia began, how it responds to threats and challenges, and introduces us to the real-life characters that inspired the american imagination for generations, making the mafia an international, larger than life cultural phenomenon. dickie's dazzling cast of characters includes antonio giammona, the first "boss of bosses''; new york cop joe petrosino, who underestimated the sicilian mafia and paid for it with his life; and bernard "the tractor" provenzano, the current boss of bosses who has been hiding in sicily since 1963.

A love letter to one of the oldest, most richly varied food cultures of europe.sicily is a frugal peasant land with a simple cuisine, and yet full of ornate glamour and extravagance. ben tish unlocks the secrets of sicily's culture and food within these pages, diving into its diverse tapestry of cultural influences. sitting at the heart of the mediterranean, between east and west, europe and north africa, the food of sicily is full of citrus, almonds and a plethora of spices, mixing harmoniously with the simple indigenous olives, vines and wheat. you'll find the most delicious, fresh seafood on the coast and mouth-watering meat in land; but the two rarely mix. packed full of vibrant flavors, this beautiful collection brings the food of sicily to your table, with recipes ranging from delicious morsels and fritters to big couscous, rice and pasta dishes and an abundance of granitas, ice creams and desserts, all stunningly photographed.

"keahey's exploration of this misunderstood island offers a much-needed look at a much-maligned land."—paul paolicelli, author of under the southern sunsicily is the mediterranean's largest and most mysterious island. its people, for three thousand years under the thumb of one invader after another, hold tightly onto a culture so unique that they remain emotionally and culturally distinct, viewing themselves first as sicilians, not italians. many of these islanders, carrying considerable dna from arab and muslim ancestors who ruled for 250 years and integrated vast numbers of settlers from the continent just ninety miles to the south, say proudly that sicily is located north of africa, not south of italy.seeking sicily explores what lies behind the soul of the island's inhabitants. it touches on history, archaeology, food, the mafia, and politics and looks to nineteenth- and twentieth-century sicilian authors to plumb the islanders' so-called sicilitudine. this "culture apart" is best exemplified by the writings of one of sicily's greatest writers, leonardo sciascia. seeking sicily also looks to contemporary sicilians who have never shaken off the influences of their forbearers, who believed in the ancient gods and goddesses.author john keahey is not content to let images from the island's overly touristed villages carry the story. starting in palermo, he journeyed to such places as arab-founded scopello on the west coast, the greek ruins of selinunte on the southwest, and sciascia's ancestral village of racalmuto in the south, where he experienced unique, local festivals. he spent easter week in enna at the island's center, witnessing surreal processions that date back to spanish rule. and he learned about sicilian cuisine in spanish baroque noto and greek siracusa in the southeast, and met elderly, retired fishermen in the tiny east-coast fishing village of aci trezza, home of the mythical cyclops and immortalized by luchino visconti's mid-1940s film masterpiece, la terra trema. he walked near the summit of etna, europe's largest and most active volcano, studied the mountain's role in creating this island, and looked out over the expanse of the ionian sea, marveling at the three millennia of myths and history that forged sicily into what it is today.

Onely planet's sicily is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the island has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. discover the incredible architecture of palermo, browse the markets of catania and take in breathtaking views from atop mount etna; all with your trusted travel companion. about lonely planet: lonely planet, a red ventures company, is the world's number one travel guidebook brand. providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, lonely planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia)

From the pastel rooftops of positano to the soaring peak of mount etna, immerse yourself in la dolce vita with moon southern italy. inside you'll find: flexible itineraries for exploring the best of southern italy, including sicily, puglia, naples, the amalfi coast, and more, that can be combined for a longer trip strategic advice for foodies and oenophiles, art lovers, hikers, history buffs, beach bums, and more must-see highlights and unique experiences for any season: dive into the art museums and traditional theater of palermo's centro storico, and admire the baroque monuments and carved churches of lecce. walk the frozen-in-time streets of pompeii and marvel at the captivating cathedral of amalfi. take an off-road jeep tour of mount etna or hike along the coastline. soak up the sun on a secluded beach or sail the crystal-clear mediterranean waters the best local flavors: stroll quiet village streets where the scent of sunday ragu fills the air, feast on fresh seafood from a bustling outdoor market, and chow down on authentic neapolitan pizza. sip limoncello on a sunny terrace or sample wines from the mineral-rich local vineyards expert suggestions from amalfi local laura thayer and palermo local linda sarris on where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around full-color photos and detailed maps throughouthelpful resources on covid-19 and traveling to southern italy background information on the landscape, history, and cultural customs handy tools including an italian phrasebook and tips for seniors and traveling with children with moon's practical tips and local insight on the best things to do and see, you can experience the very best of southern italy. exploring more of italia? about moon travel guides: moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. moon travel guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell–and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. for more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

– a photographic exploration of a baroque masterpiece, now returned to its former glory- the stunning restoration of the beautiful di lorenzo del castelluccio palace in sicily- wonderfully evocative and full of beautiful imagery. a treat for lovers of lampedusa's the leopard- an inspiring insight into palatial interiors and gardens- palace location of the film 'cyrano', directed by joe wright, and starring peter dinklage- short video for the title herewith its sun-drenched sands and mediterranean waters, sicily has been a favored destination of travelers for centuries. history is alive on this island, from ancient accounts of the greeks, romans, arabs and normans; to the journals of wealthy young european men embarking on the grand tour. this book captures the sun-steeped aesthetic of the island, while detailing the restoration of one of its finest attractions: the di lorenzo del castelluccio palace. marquis de castelluccio was one of the last "servals" or "leopards" of sicily – wealthy aristocrats who flooded the island with luxury. following his death, his home fell to ruin. a half-century later, jean-louis remilleux fell in love with this dilapidated 18th-century palace and made it his mission to restore it. unveiled for the first time in this beautifully illustrated book, the di lorenzo del castelluccio palazzo is one of the finest testaments to sicilian architecture and art. today, lush green palm trees welcome you to the palace's imposing front façade. frescoes, arabesques, masks, imitation marble, ceilings and wainscoting have all restored to their former glory, over decades of elaborate work. this book charts the restoration process and celebrates the astonishing end results. it contains an album's worth of photographs that capture the beauty of this palace beneath the mediterranean sun.

Chapter 1: introduction.- chapter 2: maritime violence: piracy and war: the struggle for the strait.- chapter 3: the sicilian vespers: roger de lauria and the ambiguities of violence.- chapter 4: the art of raiding: the catalan-aragonese 1292 expedition into the aegean sea.- chapter 5: logistical arrangements between sicily and southern italy during alfonso v's conquest of naples, 1435-1442.- chapter 6: travel and trade: violence and exchange in post-norman sicily.- chapter 7: grand tour and pilgrimage: sicily in the imagination of ibn jubayr.- chapter 8: four men in a boat. trade practices between the french midi and the kingdom of sicily in the 12th and 13th centuries.- chapter 9: literary and material culture: creating the "communitas siciliae" in the post-vespers years.- chapter 10: "the luxuriant southern scene: " textiles, clothing and memory in the medieval kingdom of southern italy and sicily.- chapter11: ghosts of admiral roger: piracy and political fantasy in tirant lo blanc.- chapter 12: digital sicily: digital mapping technology and the war of sicilian vespers: using new methods to better understand old problems.- chapter 13: the norman sicily project: a digital portal to sicily's norman past.

El siciliano es una biografía novelada de giuliano y una incisiva descripción de la vida, las tradiciones y las complejas relaciones de poder en sicilia. – corre el año 1950. el exilio de michael corleone en palermo está a punto de acabar, y su padre, don vito, le ha encomendado una misión: debe volver a américa con un hombre que se ha convertido en un mito popular, un forajido acosado por el gobierno, las clases altas y la mafia. – su nombre es salvatore giuliano, un moderno robin hood que, tras enfrentarse en su juventud a una patrulla de carabineri, se vio forzado a refugiarse en las montañas. desde allí lucha por su patria y su gente, oprimida por la cosa nostra y la corrupción del go-bierno de roma. – ahora, en esta neblinosa tierra de montañas y ruinas antiguas, el destino de michael corleone se verá hermanado con la leyenda de salvatore giuliano. – english description michael corleone is returning to the u.s. after the two-year exile to sicily in which reader left him in the godfather. but he is ordered to bring with him the young sicilian bandit, salvatore guiliano, who is the unofficial ruler of northwestern sicily. in his fight "to make sicilians free people," the young folk hero, based on the real-life giuliano of the 1940's, has made both the police and the mafia his enemies. so when don croce malo, chief of the sicilian mafia, and the policemen who has been tracking guiliano each offer to help corleone find the elusive robin hood, betrayal seems inevitable. mario puzo has created a sequel to the godfather that is every bit as compelling and dramatic. but the sicilian is a distinct literary achievement in its historical inspiration and its vivid portrait of sicilian peasant life.

Fully updated new edition of a key blue guide, the guide of choice for experts and independent travelers.revised and extensively updated, blue guide sicily offers an in-depth history of this historically rich destination. ellen grady gives a comprehensive overview of the island—from detailed analyses of cities, sights and works of art to carefully chosen suggestions of where and what to eat and where to stay. the guide is strong on history, art, archaeology, architecture, landscape, conservation and wildlife. full-color maps, two-tone plans and black-and-white photographs.

Long before it became an italian offshore island, sicily was the land in the centre of the mediterranean where the great civilisations of europe and northern africa met. this title uncovers the complex history of sicily, showing that it is about much more than 'the godfather' and the mafia.

Long before it became an italian offshore island, sicily was the land in the centre of the mediterranean where the great civilisations of europe and northern africa met. this title uncovers the complex history of sicily, showing that it is about much more than 'the godfather' and the mafia.

Lonely planet: the world's leading travel guide publisher lonely planet's sicily is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. soak up history in charming syracuse, hike stromboli's lava-strewn crater, and visit crumbling castles in gorgeous hill towns – all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of sicily and begin your journey now inside lonely planet's sicily: new pull-out, passport-size 'just landed' card with wi-fi, atm and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel improved planning tools for family travellers – where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids new accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation colour maps and images throughout highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics covers palermo, aeolian islands, western sicily, tyrrhenian coast, ionian coast, syracuse, central sicily, mediterranean coast, and more the perfect choice: lonely planet's sicily is our most comprehensive guide to sicily, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. about lonely planet: lonely planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. you'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times 'lonely planet. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia)

Lonely planet: the world's leading travel guide publisher lonely planet's sicily is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. soak up history in charming syracuse, hike stromboli's lava-strewn crater, and visit crumbling castles in gorgeous hill towns – all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of sicily and begin your journey now inside lonely planet's sicily: new pull-out, passport-size 'just landed' card with wi-fi, atm and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel improved planning tools for family travellers – where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids new accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation colour maps and images throughout highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics covers palermo, aeolian islands, western sicily, tyrrhenian coast, ionian coast, syracuse, central sicily, mediterranean coast, and more the perfect choice: lonely planet's sicily is our most comprehensive guide to sicily, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. about lonely planet: lonely planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. you'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times 'lonely planet. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia)

New york times bestsellerin the second volume of his epic trilogy about the liberation of europe in world war ii, pulitzer prize winner rick atkinson tells the harrowing story of the campaigns in sicily and italyin an army at dawn—winner of the pulitzer prize—rick atkinson provided a dramatic and authoritative history of the allied triumph in north africa. now, in the day of battle, he follows the strengthening american and british armies as they invade sicily in july 1943 and then, mile by bloody mile, fight their way north toward rome.the italian campaign's outcome was never certain; in fact, roosevelt, churchill, and their military advisers engaged in heated debate about whether an invasion of the so-called soft underbelly of europe was even a good idea. but once under way, the commitment to liberate italy from the nazis never wavered, despite the agonizingly high price. the battles at salerno, anzio, and monte cassino were particularly difficult and lethal, yet as the months passed, the allied forces continued to drive the germans up the italian peninsula. led by lieutenant general mark clark, one of the war's most complex and controversial commanders, american officers and soldiers became increasingly determined and proficient. and with the liberation of rome in june 1944, ultimate victory at last began to seem inevitable.drawing on a wide array of primary source material, written with great drama and flair, this is narrative history of the first rank. with the day of battle, atkinson has once again given us the definitive account of one of history's most compelling military campaigns.