The Florios of Sicily: a novel (First edition.)

"In this grand part one of a two-volume saga, inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, The Florios of Sicily brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florios' century of influence.

They were the uncrowned kings of Sicily: restless and ambitious, single-minded and determined to be richer and more powerful than anybody else.

Yet their beginnings were humble. Vincenzo, who lost his father at eight, builds an empire from the docks of Palermo.

Driven by an insatiable desire to rise above his station and prove a aristocracy that scorns him wrong, Vincenzo sacrifices family and love to transform his tiny spice shop into a trading empire.

The name, Florio, soon instills fear and respect. The men of the family are stubborn, arrogant, philanderers and slaves to passions.

Paolo shrewdly fights his way out of an earthquake-striken Bagnara to start anew in Sicily.

Ignazio II