To Luca, the story of Sicily was like an old movie made modern. From black and white to sepia and then to color, the old man Vito's narration of the island's ancient history kept Luca spellbound. Originally a trip to his parents' homeland, Luca's journey was now one of a deeper history, in which the Roman dominion over the island was converted by invasions of Byzantines, Muslims, Normans, French, Aragonese, Bourbons, and even the forces of North America. From the time of Julius Caesar to the present day, the history of Sicily is the history of Western Civilization. takes the reader on the journey with Luca in discovering the roots of this true melting pot, the island in the Middle Sea. is preceded by which chronicles the history of Sicily from its volcanic origins millions of years ago to the Slave Wars of the 1st century B.C.E.