A History of Sicily
A unique biological and cultural fusion of peoples from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including the Normans, is described in this fine, updated version of the 1968 three-volume History of Sicily by classical historian Finley, biographer Smith, abridged and revised largely by Duggan, an authority on the Mafia. Recorded along wth plagues, earthquakes and other natural disasters, is the often destructive impact of public policies Sicily experienced under a succession of conquerorsGreek, Roman, Arab, Norman and Spanish, among themuntil the island's unification with Italy and its participation in 20th century world conflicts. Although in postWW II years Sicily was granted greater autonomy and the 2000-year political hold of big landowners was broken, improvements in agriculture and industry have been thwarted largely, the authors surmise, because of a political-patronage system and a resurgence of the Mafia, which the judiciary has been unable to uproot. Photos.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.