Sicily - by Sandra Benjamin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Take a tour through the Mediterranean's largest island in this first and only history of Sicily for general readers--perfect for armchair travelers, history buffs, and anyone planning their next Italian vacation

Each chapter in this comprehensive, single-volume history offers a riveting stand-alone excursion

PLUS: Includes Sicily travel guide resources like 17 maps, pronunciation keys, and suggestions for further reading!

Discover the incredible island of Sicily, one of the world's most dynamic cultural crossroads, as you travel through time and explore the history of Italy. The history of human habitation of Sicily is so varied and fascinating that readers will be compelled to keep turning the pages of this accessible narrative to see what happens next.

Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Muslims have all left indelible legacies. Vandals, Goths, Byzantines, Normans, Hohenstaufens, Spaniards, Bourbons, and the Savoy Kingdom of Italy have all ruled the island.

The emigration of Sicilians to the US in the 19th and 20th centuries often overshadows the variety and importance of people who immigrated to the island through the centuries. The author called Sicily home for 7 years, and was inspired to research and write this book by the countless visitors who expressed a desire to be able to read a history of the island.

The book's narrative is supported with 17 maps, an appendix of historical statistics, a glossary with notes on Italian word endings, and a glossary of names.

Review Quotes

"A compact history of the Mediterranean's largest island, the most frequently conquered spot on earth. . . . The author does an especially good job of explaining how history never quite goes away in Sicily, how through the accretion of centuries, through so many varied influences, the island's unique culture has emerged." - Kirkus Reviews

"Benjamin . . . manages to deliver this fantastic island in all its kaleidoscopic variety. Although she takes us from pre-history to present day, the pace feels unhurried and the writing almost conversational." - The Providence Journal (A Best Book of the Year)

About the Author

Sandra Benjamin was born in Troy, New York, and moved to New York City when she was sixteen. After earning a doctorate in economics at the New School for Social Research, she began moving around Europe, learning a few of its languages. Along the way she acquired a love for southern Italy. Reflecting her interest in the area, ten years ago she published The World of Benjamin of Tudela: A Medieval Mediterranean Travelogue. Since then she has spent much of her time in Sicily. Always fascinated by the varied ethnic groups of New York City, she was similarly attracted by the diversity of peoples who became part of the fabric of Sicily.