Sicily : a short history, from the Greeks to Cosa Nostra / John Julius Norwich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Norwich, John Julius, 1929-2018.

Contributor:

Dorothy Mann Yeakel & Paul Herbert Yeakel Memorial Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sicily (Italy)--History.

Sicily (Italy).

Sicily (Italy)--Civilization.

Sicily (Italy)--Kings and rulers--History.

Sicily (Italy)--History, Military.

Physical Description:

xiii, 366 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), map ; 24 cm

Other Title:

Short history from the ancient Greeks to Cosa Nostra

Place of Publication:

London : John Murray, 2015.

Summary:

"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"--Publisher's description.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Dorothy Mann Yeakel & Paul Herbert Yeakel Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

1848548958

9781848548954

OCLC:

907941073

Publisher Number:

99963049453