Given my recent history with regard to reading, it is a Herculean achievement for me to read two books in one summer. I was so pessimistic with my follow through that I reviewed the first book on this blog before I had even finished it. I’m repeating that bad habit with my recommendation of In Sicily by Norman Lewis. The candor and the insight about the Mafia is astounding. Where passive, trifling entertainment like The Sopranos romanticizes family business to the the Nth degree, Lewis places the violence and bravado squarely in reality.

The history and tragic sociology of Sicily is revealed in a somewhat non-linear fashion. There is a time line, but it is the time line of Lewis’ experiences in Sicily. The historically significant revelations are brought to light as Lewis tells of how he came to have the information. The source of his insights are often as illuminating as their content. I have some travel coming up shortly and I think I will save the last chapters for the airports. I just wish I had a pinstriped suit to wear while I read (not really).