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Sicily: An Island at the Crossroads of HistoryCritically acclaimed author John Julius Norwich weaves the turbulent story of Sicily into a spellbinding narrative that places the island at the crossroads of world history. "Sicily," said Goethe, "is the key to everything." It is the largest island in the Mediterranean, the stepping stone between Europe and Africa, the link between the Latin West and the Greek East. Sicily's strategic location has tempted Roman emperors, French princes, and Spanish
Critically acclaimed author John Julius Norwich weaves the turbulent story of Sicily into a spellbinding narrative that places the island at the crossroads of world history.
"Sicily," said Goethe, "is the key to everything." It is the largest island in the Mediterranean, the stepping-stone between Europe and Africa, the link between the Latin West and the Greek East. Sicily's strategic location has tempted Roman emperors, French princes, and Spanish kings. The subsequent struggles to conquer and keep it have played crucial roles in the rise and fall of the world's most powerful dynasties.
Praise for Sicily
"Suavely readable . . . The very model of a popular historian, Norwich] writes to give pleasure to the common reader. And what pleasure it is."--The Wall Street Journal "Entertaining on every page . . . There is something ancient and sorrowful in Sicily, 'some dark, brooding quality, ' just as captivating as its spellbinding history or its beautiful and varied landscapes, from beaches to lemon groves, pine forests to volcanoes. . . . The most amiable and freewheeling of guides, Norwich will always find time for the amusing anecdote."--The Sunday Times
"Utterly engrossing . . . written with passion about the art and architecture of this magical island, filled with gossipy tidbits and sweeping historical theories."--The Daily Beast "Dazzling . . . Norwich is an elegantly graceful and entertaining storyteller."--Richmond Times-Dispatch "Charming . . . richly nuanced history relayed with enormous fondness."--Kirkus Reviews "A brisk and always-lively tour."--Open Letters Monthly "Norwich is deeply in love with Sicily. His] boundless affection has inspired a determined effort to understand its painful past. The result is impressionistic, as love often is."--The Times
"Norwich sketches personalities vividly. . . . He does the island and the reader a generous service in providing such an amiable introduction."--The Sunday Telegraph "Norwich tells Sicily's] long, sad but fascinating story with sympathy and brio."--Literary Review
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Published: 07/21/2015
ISBN: 9780812995176
Pages: 400
Weight: 1.50lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 1.40d
Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2015
Library Journal 08/01/2015 pg. 109
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4.6 ★★★★★
Based on 22 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Alexander the Great
Format: Kindle
It is a magnificent book that analyses the history and achievements of Alexander the Great.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2023
★★★★★ 5
Who knew? Right?
Format: Kindle
Alexander the Great is one of the most prominent figures in ancient history, known for his military conquests and political prowess. Born in 356 BCE in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia, Alexander was the son of King Philip II and Queen Olympia. From an early age, Alexander was groomed for leadership and given a rigorous education in military strategy, politics, and philosophy under the tutelage of Aristotle.
When Alexander was only 20 years old, he succeeded his father as king of Macedonia. Immediately upon taking the throne, he set his sights on expanding his empire. In 334 BCE, Alexander led an army of approximately 35,000 soldiers across the Hellespont, a narrow strait that separates Europe and Asia. This marked the beginning of his campaign to conquer the Persian Empire.
Over the course of the next decade, Alexander achieved a series of stunning victories on the battlefield. He defeated the Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE, and again at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. He then continued his conquests into Central Asia and India, where he faced fierce resistance from local armies and encountered new cultures and religions.
Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Alexander was a brilliant military strategist who was able to adapt to changing circumstances and inspire his troops to victory. He was known for leading his soldiers from the front, and he fought alongside them in many battles. His leadership style earned him the loyalty and admiration of his soldiers, who were willing to follow him to the ends of the earth.
In addition to his military conquests, Alexander was also a skilled politician and diplomat. He understood the importance of winning over the hearts and minds of the people he conquered, and he adopted many of the customs and traditions of the cultures he encountered. He also founded several new cities, including Alexandria in Egypt, which became a major center of learning and culture in the ancient world.
Despite his many successes, Alexander's life was cut tragically short. He died in 323 BCE at the age of 32, possibly from malaria or poisoning. His death left a power vacuum in his empire, which led to a period of instability and conflict known as the Wars of the Diadochi.
Today, Alexander is remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in history. His conquests had a profound impact on the ancient world, spreading Greek culture and Hellenistic ideas throughout the Mediterranean and Near East. His legacy also lives on in the many cities he founded, which served as centers of trade, commerce, and learning for centuries to come.
Alexander the Great was a remarkable leader who left an indelible mark on history. He was a brilliant military strategist, a skilled politician, and a charismatic leader who inspired loyalty and devotion from his soldiers. His legacy continues to be felt today, and his story serves as a reminder of the power of human ambition, courage, and determination.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2023
★★★★★ 1
Disappointing
Format: Paperback
Disappointing
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Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Being “Othered” is Real
Format: Kindle
Sky Full of Elephants opens with a haunting and unforgettable image: all the white people walking silently into bodies of water. That beginning alone tells you this is not a book that will play it safe. It is bold, layered, and deeply intentional.
The writing is beautiful and the story forces readers to confront what Black history truly is: American history. The novel doesn’t just imagine a world; it holds up a mirror to the one we’ve lived in and the one we’re still shaping. It explores identity, belonging, grief, and survival in a way that feels both speculative and painfully real.
As someone who grew up attending predominantly white schools, I connected deeply with Sidney’s experiences. Being “othered” (constantly reminded that you are different, that you don’t quite belong) leaves marks that follow you long after childhood ends. Some of the moments Sidney endures felt painfully familiar, and I found myself reflecting on my own younger self while reading.
What struck me most, though, was reading this story as a mother.
I have a biracial daughter, and her experience has been very different. She has never been made to feel like she doesn’t belong. She has never been othered. She has always been rooted in her Black identity, primarily raised by her Black mother, surrounded by family who affirm her. Even after I remarried and joined a Black family, she was embraced fully, never questioned, never treated as “less than,” never made to feel separate.
Reading Sidney’s journey made me profoundly grateful that my daughter’s story has unfolded differently. It also reminded me how much environment, affirmation, and community matter in shaping a child’s sense of self.
Sky Full of Elephants is more than a speculative novel. It is a meditation on race, memory, and belonging. It asks hard questions about America while honoring the fullness and complexity of Black identity.
This book lingers with you. It sparks reflection. It opens conversations.
And for me, it felt both personal and powerful.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Good Read!
Format: Audiobook
I read this along with my son and his girlfriend in a family “book club”. We had a good discussion about the ending, as we each had differing perspectives, but that was fun! The book was really interesting, and the characters were so well defined and deeply moving. Good read, but the ending left us a little confused.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026
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